Property Ownership for Expats: What Do You Need?

Foreign organization or individual eligibility for home ownership in Vietnam

According to Clause 1, Article 159 of the Housing Law of 2014, foreign organizations and individuals eligible for the homeownership in Vietnam include:

- Foreign organizations and individuals who invest in project-based housing construction in Vietnam as prescribed in the Housing Law and corresponding regulations of law,

- Foreign-invested enterprises, branches, representative offices of foreign enterprises, foreign-invested funds and branches operating in Vietnam,

- Foreign individuals who are allowed to enter Vietnam.

Foreign organizations and individuals are eligible to own homes in housing development projects only. Photo: Internet

Foreign individuals are eligible for homeownership in Vietnam under 2 types of circumstances:

- If they invest in project-based housing construction in Vietnam as prescribed in the Housing Law and corresponding regulations of law;

- if they buy, rent and purchase, receive, or inherit commercial housing, including apartments and separate houses in housing development projects, except for areas under management relating to national defense and security as prescribed in regulations of the Government.

What do expats need to purchase a home in Vietnam?

Foreigners investing in housing developments can own property. Photo: Internet

According to Article 74 of Decree of Government No. 99/2015/ND-CP, expats are required documents proving eligibility for owning houses in Vietnam.

- For organizations: A foreign organization must have certification of investment registration, or a permit issued by a relevant Vietnamese authority for operation in Vietnam, which is still unexpired at the time of housing transaction.

- For individuals: A foreign individual must have an unexpired passport bearing the entry seal of the Vietnam’s immigration authority and not given diplomatic immunity and privileges, according to the Ordinance on diplomatic immunity and privileges of diplomatic missions, consular offices, and representative authorities of international organizations in Vietnam.

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