About the Author
Kwok is a practising solicitor based in London, admitted in England & Wales and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. He is registered with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and admitted in Hong Kong (non-practising). Kwok has worked as legal counsel and in-house solicitor across leading firms and corporations. He personally oversees every apostille and legalisation case at Ginkgo Advisory, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and end-to-end quality control.
Kwok Lam
Legal Consultant of Ginkgo Advisory
If you are a UK citizen planning to teach English in Vietnam, you must hold an LD2 Work Visa.
Tourist visas, e-visas, and business visas do not allow teaching. This rule applies even if the role is part-time, short-term, or described as “temporary”.
In reality, most applications fail not because teachers lack qualifications.
Instead, they fail because UK documents are prepared incorrectly, or because applicants rely on a UK apostille alone, which Vietnam does not accept.
UK FCDO apostilles alone are not sufficient for teaching English in Vietnam.
This guide explains how the Vietnam work permit system works in 2026, and how UK documents must be prepared and legalised so they are accepted the first time.
Do You Need an LD2 Work Visa to Teach English in Vietnam?
Yes.
If you teach English for pay in Vietnam, you must hold an LD2 Work Visa sponsored by a Vietnamese employer
If you teach on the wrong visa, authorities may impose fines. In addition, they may cancel your visa or order deportation. In some cases, future entry bans also apply.
Legal Process to Teach English in Vietnam (2026)
Step 1 — Secure a Job Offer
First, a licensed Vietnamese school or institution offers you a role.
Next, the employer submits your work permit application to the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA).
Step 2 — Prepare UK Documents
At the same time, you must prepare your UK documents. These include:
- your degree certificate
- your teaching qualification
- your criminal background check
Each document must be authenticated and legalised correctly before submission.
Step 3 — Work Permit Issued
Once authorities accept your documents, processing usually takes 10–15 working days. However, timelines vary by province.
Step 4 — LD2 Work Visa Issued
Finally, after work permit approval, immigration issues the LD2 visa. This happens at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate.
Who Can Teach English in Vietnam?
Nationality
Vietnam accepts UK citizens.
Degree Requirement
You must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in any subject.
Teaching Qualification Requirement
In addition, Vietnamese law requires a recognised teaching qualification.
Commonly accepted options include:
- TEFL
- CELTA
- TESOL
Most employers require a minimum of 120 hours. In-class or blended courses are often preferred.
Teaching English in Vietnam with TEFL, CELTA, or TESOL
Holding a teaching certificate alone is not enough.
Vietnamese authorities require teaching qualifications to meet three conditions:
- verification with the issuing body
- certification or notarisation in the UK
- legalisation by the Vietnam Embassy
If you submit a certificate with only a UK apostille, authorities will reject it.
Why UK Apostilles Alone Are Not Accepted for Vietnam
Vietnam is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
As a result:
- Vietnamese authorities do not recognise UK FCDO apostilles alone
- embassy or consular legalisation is mandatory
Therefore, even if your document already has an apostille, you must still complete Vietnam Embassy legalisation.
Vietnam applies Decree 111/2011/ND-CP and Decree 152/2020/ND-CP. These rules require consular legalisation for foreign documents used in Vietnam.
Degree Certificate Authentication for Vietnam (UK Citizens)
Degree Verification
Vietnam requires proof that your UK degree is genuine.
Typically, verification happens through:
- a recognised UK degree verification system, or
- direct confirmation from the awarding university
Correct Legal Order (Critical)
To avoid rejection, follow this order:
- Degree verification
- UK solicitor certification or notarisation
- FCDO Apostille
- Vietnam Embassy legalisation (London)
If you change the order, authorities may reject the application.
Criminal Background Check Requirements (UK Citizens)
Vietnam requires a UK-issued criminal background check (ARCO certificate or DBS certificate).
Key rules apply:
- the ACRO certificate or DBS certificate must be issued within six months
- it must be certified or notarised, where required
- FCDO Apostille
- it must be legalised by the Vietnam Embassy
Again, a UK apostille alone does not make the document valid for Vietnam.
Can UK Documents Be Legalised After Arrival in Vietnam?
Yes, this is legally possible.
We offer remote and online solicitor verification and certification service.
Even if you are in Vietnam already:
- you can apply for the ACRO certificate or DBS certificate and have us as your designated recipient
- a solicitor can remotely verify and certify the DBS certificate, degree certificate and TEFL, CELTA, or TESOL certificate
- we can arrange FCDO apostille and legalisation by the Vietnam Embassy in London
- couriers return them to Vietnam
Common Reasons Vietnam Work Permit Applications Are Rejected
Applications often fail because applicants:
- rely on a UK apostille alone instead of embassy legalisation
- legalise documents before verification
- submit expired criminal background checks
- use unverifiable teaching certificates
- complete steps in the wrong order
How Ginkgo Advisory Supports UK Teachers
Ginkgo Advisory assists UK citizens teaching English in Vietnam with document preparation and legalisation.
Support includes:
- degree verification coordination
- TEFL, CELTA, TESOL verification
- UK solicitor certification (valid practising certificate)
- FCDO Apostille
- Vietnam Embassy legalisation
- criminal record document handling
- sequencing review before submission
All services can be completed remotely from the UK.
Final Summary: Teaching English in Vietnam (2026)
To teach English legally in Vietnam, UK citizens need:
- a verified and embassy-legalised degree certificate
- a verified and embassy-legalised TEFL, CELTA, or TESOL certificate
- an embassy-legalised UK criminal background check (issued within six months)
- a Vietnam Work Permit
- an LD2 Work Visa
UK FCDO apostilles alone are not sufficient.
When documents follow the correct legal order, Vietnamese authorities accept them without delay.
Contact Us
Address
167-169 Great Portland Street, 5/F, London
English 
Chinese