Procedures for issuance of the license for establishment of offices of foreign airlines in Vietnam

Specifically, according to Circular No. 52/2018/TT-BGTVT of the Ministry of Transport of Vietnam, any foreign airline wishing to apply for the license for establishment of a representative office or booking office shall submit an application to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, whether directly or by post or another appropriate manner and take responsibility for the information in the application. An application includes:

- An application form made using the Form in the Appendix III hereof;

- A copy of the establishment license or business registration certificate or the equivalent (in Vietnamese or English language);

- A copy of the airline’s Charter (made in Vietnamese or English language);

- Copies of documents certifying the right of enjoyment of the headquarters where the representative office and/or booking office is located;

- Copy from the master register or copy produced together with the original copy for comparison or certified true copy (if the application is submitted in person), certified true copy (if the application is submitted by post) of the decision on appointment of the head of the representative office and/or booking office (made in Vietnamese or English language).

Within 05 working days from the receipt of the sufficient application, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam shall carry out appraisal and issue the license according to the Form in the Appendix XIII hereof. If the application is rejected, a response and explanation must be provided in writing.

If the application is insufficient, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam shall request the applicant in writing to complete it within 02 working days from the receipt of the application. The deadline for processing the application begins on the date of receiving the sufficient application.

The license for establishment of a representative office/booking office comes into effect from the date of signature and shall be revoked in the case of violation against regulations or at the request of the airline.

Moreover, Circular No. 52/2018/TT-BGTVT also stipulates that in case of any change to the license for establishment of a representative office or booking office, the foreign airline shall submit an application for reissuance of the license to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, whether directly or by post or another appropriate manner and take responsibility for the information in the application.

- The application includes an application form made using the Form in the Appendix IV hereof and documents relating to the change(s) in Vietnamese or English language.

- Within 03 working days from the receipt of the sufficient application, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam shall carry out appraisal and reissue the license according to the Form in the Appendix XIII hereof.

If the application is insufficient, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam shall request the applicant in writing to complete it within 02 working days from the receipt of the application. The deadline for processing the application begins on the date of receiving the sufficient application.

The applicant for issuance or reissuance of the license for establishment of the representative office or booking office shall pay charges as prescribed by law.

Applicants for reissuance of the license that is damaged or lost shall follow the procedures as prescribed.

In the case of revocation of the license, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam shall issue a revocation decision and the airline must shut down its representative office or booking office.

View more details at Circular No. 52/2018/TT-BGTVT of the Ministry of Transport of Vietnam, effective from December 01, 2018.

-Thao Uyen-

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