One of the most common questions from Australian doctors considering a move to Vietnam is: how long will the licensing process take? The answer depends on several variables, including whether the Australian medical licensing authority has been previously assessed by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health (MOH), the completeness of the submitted dossier, and the specific province where the doctor intends to practice.
This article provides a realistic, step-by-step timeline for Australian doctors seeking a Vietnamese medical practice license, with reference to the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023, Decree 96/2023/ND-CP, Decree 148/2025/ND-CP and Resolution 21/2026/NQ-CP
The Two-Phase Process: Recognition Then Licensing
Australian doctors must complete two sequential procedures:
- Recognition of the foreign-issued license (issued by AHPRA – Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) by the Vietnamese MOH under Article 29 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023.
- Application for a Vietnamese medical practice license (Giay phep hanh nghe) from the relevant provincial Department of Health under Article 30 the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023.
Neither step can be skipped or combined. The total elapsed time depends on how quickly each phase is completed.
Phase 1: Document Preparation (4–8 Weeks)
Before submitting anything to Vietnamese authorities, Australian doctors must prepare a full dossier including:
- Certified copy of the AHPRA medical registration (apostilled and Vietnamese-translated);
- Medical degree from an Australian university (apostilled and Vietnamese-translated);
- Criminal history check from the Australian Federal Police (valid within 6 months);
- Health certificate;
- Passport copies;
- Curriculum vitae;
- Vietnamese language certificate or interpreter documentation;
- Employment contract or work permit (if already secured).
Procuring apostilles and certified Vietnamese translations typically takes 4–8 weeks, depending on the documents involved and translation turnaround times.
Phase 2: MOH Recognition Review (30–90+ Working Days)
Once the complete dossier is submitted to the Department of Medical Services Administration at the Vietnamese MOH, the review timeline under Decree 96/2023/ND-CP is:
- If AHPRA has been previously recognized by the MOH: 30 working days from receipt of a valid dossier.
- If AHPRA has not yet been assessed by the MOH: The MOH must first conduct a formal assessment of AHPRA’s licensing system, including its training standards, licensing conditions, and professional scope. This assessment can add 1–3 months or more to the overall timeline.
Australian doctors should proactively check whether AHPRA has been assessed by the MOH before filing, as this determines whether the 30 working days standard timeline applies.
Phase 3: Provincial License Application (20 Working Days)
After MOH recognition, the doctor applies to the provincial Department of Health in the province of intended practice. Under Article 7 of Decree 148/2025/ND-CP, Appendix III of Resolution 21/2026/NQ-CP, the competent authority issues the practice license within 20 working days of receiving a complete application. If the authority needs to verify foreign documents, the 20 working days clock starts from the date of receipt of verification results, potentially extending this phase.
Realistic Total Timeline
Based on current practice:
- Best-case scenario (AHPRA already recognized, complete dossier): approximately 10–14 weeks from beginning document preparation to receiving the Vietnamese license.
- Standard scenario: approximately 4–6 months end-to-end.
- Extended scenario (AHPRA assessment required, document corrections needed): 6–12 months.
Australian doctors planning to work in Vietnam should build this timeline into their employment and visa planning. Arriving in Vietnam before the licensing process is complete carries legal and employment risks, as practicing without a Vietnamese license violates the regulations and can result in administrative penalties.
Practical Tips to Minimize Delays
- Start the document preparation and apostille process 3–4 months before your intended start date in Vietnam.
- Confirm with the MOH (or through a legal advisor) whether AHPRA has already been assessed before filing.
- Ensure all translations are certified by a MOH-approved translator.
- Secure your Vietnamese work permit and employment contract before filing for recognition, as these are required documents.
- Use a local legal partner familiar with healthcare licensing to review your dossier before submission.
Conclusion
The timeline for Australian doctors to get licensed in Vietnam ranges from approximately 10 weeks at best to 6–12 months in more complex cases. Early preparation, complete documentation, and confirmation of AHPRA’s recognition status with the Vietnamese MOH are the most effective ways to shorten the process. TTVN Legal assists Australian doctors from initial document preparation through to license issuance.
Need legal assistance with medical licensing in Vietnam? Contact TTVN Legal today. 101 Nguyen Van Thu, Tan Dinh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City | +84 349661336 | tham@ttvnlegal.com.vn | https://ttvnlegal.com.vn/
