Embassy authentication (consular legalisation) is the process by which a foreign country's embassy stamps and verifies your documents, confirming they are legally valid for use in that country. It is the final step required for teachers moving to non-Hague Convention countries, including Vietnam, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
Apostille vs Embassy Authentication
Feature
Apostille
Embassy Authentication
Used for
118 Hague Convention countries
Non-Hague countries (Vietnam, UAE, Saudi Arabia)
Process
Single step
Multi-step chain
Time
5–10 working days
3–6 weeks total
The Full Chain for Vietnam
Notarisation — A registered notary public certifies the document
FCDO Authentication — FCDO confirms the notary's signature is genuine
Vietnamese Embassy Attestation — Vietnamese Embassy stamps and accepts the document for use in Vietnam
Total Timeline for Vietnam
From start to fully authenticated document: approximately 5–8 weeks. Start at least 3 months before your planned travel date.
Documents That Need Embassy Authentication
Degree Certificate — always required for Vietnam work permit
TEFL Certificate — notarised copy required
Criminal Record Check — issued within 6 months and fully legalised