Vietnam joined the Apostille Convention, and it applies from 11 September 2026. New Zealand documents for Vietnam now need an apostille instead of consular legalisation through the Vietnamese Embassy. For a work permit, the NZ police certificate must be issued within 6 months of your application, and your degree usually needs an apostille too. Vietnamese translation is still done in Vietnam. We request the record, check the degree, lodge the apostilles and courier them. All in from NZ$116.
What changed for Vietnam
Until September 2026, a New Zealand document for Vietnam had to go through two steps: authentication in New Zealand, then legalisation at the Vietnamese Embassy. That took weeks and cost more.
Vietnam has now joined the Apostille Convention. From 11 September 2026, a New Zealand apostille replaces the embassy step for eligible documents. Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has told government offices to accept apostilled documents, but some provinces and offices are still adjusting. If an office asks for something different, we check what it needs before anything is lodged.
What we prepare for Vietnam
| Your situation | NZ documents | What we take care of |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit or teaching job | NZ police certificate (criminal record) | Request it as a registered third party, time it so it's under 6 months old when you apply, then apostille |
| Work permit or teaching job | Degree and transcript | Check whether the degree can be apostilled directly or needs a notary first, then apostille |
| Marrying in Vietnam | Certificate of No Impediment, birth certificate | Order the certificates and apostille them |
| Family, property or residence | NZ birth, marriage, divorce or death certificates | Order the right certificate as an approved BDM Online organisation and apostille it |
How it works with us
- Tell us your start dateWe work backwards from it.
- We request the police certificateTimed for the 6-month rule.
- We check your degreeDirect apostille or notary first.
- Apostilles lodgedPaper or e-apostille, as your employer needs.
- DeliveredTo you, or to your employer in Vietnam.
What it costs
| Service | All in |
|---|---|
| NZ police certificate (criminal record) requested for you | NZ$35 |
| Apostille on a NZ document | From NZ$116 |
| NZ certificate ordered and apostilled, returned in NZ | From NZ$198 |
| Degree needing a notary first, + apostille | Quoted all in, including the notary |
| Courier to Vietnam | Quoted with your order |
Prices include government fees and GST. For a work permit set, we quote the police certificate, degree and courier together. See pricing.
The 6-month rule that catches teachers
Vietnam's work permit rules (Decree 219/2025) require a foreign criminal record certificate issued no more than 6 months before the work permit application. A certificate requested too early can expire before your employer lodges the application, and you start again.
We plan backwards from your start date, so the police certificate and apostille are recent when your employer applies.
Mistakes that cost weeks
- Still paying for embassy legalisation after 11 September 2026
- Requesting the police certificate too early for the 6-month rule
- Sending an e-apostille when the employer wants paper, or the other way around
- Apostilling a degree that needed a notarised copy first
- Expecting the apostille to replace the Vietnamese translation. It doesn't
We prepare New Zealand documents. Work permits and acceptance of documents are decided by the Vietnamese authorities.
Also teaching in Asia: E-2 visa documents for South Korea.
Frequently asked questions
Does Vietnam accept an apostille from New Zealand?
Yes. Vietnam joined the Apostille Convention and it applies from 11 September 2026. Eligible NZ documents now take an apostille instead of legalisation at the Vietnamese Embassy.
Do I still need the Vietnamese Embassy?
For most NZ public documents, no. The apostille replaces consular legalisation. Translation into Vietnamese is still needed and is usually done in Vietnam.
How recent must my police certificate be for a Vietnam work permit?
Under Decree 219/2025, it must be issued no more than 6 months before the work permit application. We time the request for you.
Does my degree need an apostille for Vietnam?
Usually yes, for a work permit. Some degrees can be apostilled directly, others need a notarised copy first. We check yours and quote all in.
How much does it cost?
A NZ police certificate request is NZ$35 all in. Apostille is all in from NZ$116. Degrees needing a notary are quoted all in.
Can you send the documents to my employer in Vietnam?
Yes. We courier to you in New Zealand or straight to your employer or school in Vietnam.
Sources
NZ Document Assist Limited is an independent company, not a government agency. We are not a law firm, Notary Public or licensed immigration adviser and do not give legal or immigration advice.