Criminal Background Check Apostille for Vietnam

Korean criminal background checks (범죄경력조회서) for use in Vietnam now take a standard Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) apostille. Viet Nam's accession to the Hague Apostille Convention entered into force on 11 September 2026, so the old OKA authentication plus Vietnamese Embassy legalization chain is no longer the normal route. This is used for EP work permit applications, business registration as a foreign director, and long-term visa applications in Vietnam. Because the change is recent, confirm with the Vietnamese receiving authority whether it also needs a certified Vietnamese translation or other formalities.

How to apostille a Korean criminal background check for Vietnam

1Obtain the criminal background check from the Korean National Police Agency (경찰청)
2OKA apostille (재외동포청)
3Certified Vietnamese translation if required
4Submit to Vietnamese DOLISA, employer, or immigration authority and confirm any additional requirements

Requirements for Vietnam

Korean National Police Agency certificate (범죄경력조회서)
OKA apostille — the standard route for Vietnam now that it is a Hague Convention party
Document typically must be issued within 6 months

What to look for in a specialist

EP work permit documentation experience for Korean nationals in Vietnam

Apostille workflow for Vietnam now that the Convention applies there

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Vietnam's EP work permit require a legalized Korean criminal background check?

Vietnamese EP work permit applications still require a Korean criminal background check, but it now takes an OKA apostille rather than OKA authentication plus Vietnamese Embassy legalization. Confirm any further requirements with DOLISA.