Police Invite You to Work Without Stating the Reason: Do Foreigners Have the Right to Ask?

Being invited by the police to work without being told the reason is a situation that causes many foreigners to feel confused and anxious, fearing arrest or involvement in a criminal case. In such circumstances, do foreigners have the right to ask for the reason, and how should they respond to protect themselves in accordance with the law?

Police invite you to work without stating the reason: why does this cause panic?

For Vietnamese citizens, being “invited to work” by the police can already be stressful. For foreigners living, working, or traveling in Vietnam, this feeling is often much stronger due to language barriers, differences in legal systems, and fears of arrest, deportation, or impacts on visas and employment.

In our legal practice at DEDICA Law, we frequently encounter foreign clients who experience the following concerns:

• Fear that they may have “done something wrong without knowing it.”
• The assumption that “being invited means I must be guilty.”
• Hesitation to ask questions for fear of being seen as uncooperative.
• Uncertainty about whether they are a suspect, a related party, or merely a witness.

It is important to clarify from the outset: a police invitation to work does not automatically mean arrest or criminal prosecution. However, handling the first working session incorrectly can still lead to legal risks later on.

Do foreigners have the right to ask for the reason when invited by the police?

The short answer: yes.

Under the Vietnamese Criminal Procedure Code 2015 (as amended and currently in force), any individual working with procedural authorities has the right to be informed of the reason and their procedural status.

A police invitation to work may serve different purposes, such as:

• Clarifying administrative information.
• Taking statements as a witness.
• Verifying information as a person with related rights and obligations.
• Or, in more serious cases, as a reported person or suspect.

Foreigners fully have the right to ask:

• What is the reason for this working session?
• In what capacity am I participating?
• Is this related to an administrative matter or a criminal case?

Asking these questions, when done politely and cooperatively, is not considered obstruction or non-cooperation.

If the police do not immediately state the reason, is that unlawful?

This is a point that needs to be properly understood to avoid misinterpretation.

In certain cases, the police may not provide full details at the beginning, particularly when:

• The matter is still at an initial verification stage.
• The case involves multiple individuals.
• Early disclosure could affect the investigation process.

This does not necessarily mean the authorities are acting unlawfully, but it also does not mean that the invited person must remain completely silent.

Foreigners may:

• Ask for a general explanation of the reason.
• Request clarification of their rights and obligations during the working session.
• Request an interpreter if they are not proficient in Vietnamese.

What should foreigners do when invited to work without a clear reason?

1. Do not panic or jump to extreme conclusions

A common mistake is assuming “I’m about to be arrested” or “this must involve a serious criminal offense.” In reality, many working sessions are limited to information verification only.

Staying calm helps you:

• Communicate more clearly.
• Avoid inaccurate, exaggerated, or inconsistent statements.
• Prevent creating unnecessary legal disadvantages for yourself.

2. Clearly ask about your procedural status

A simple but crucial question is:

“In what capacity am I being invited to work?”

Determining your status (witness, related person, reported person, etc.) affects:

• Your rights and obligations.
• Whether you have the right to refuse answering certain questions.
• Whether legal counsel should be involved from the outset.

3. Do not sign any documents you do not fully understand

Foreigners often face risks when they:

• Sign Vietnamese-language records without understanding the content.
• Believe that “signing quickly will allow me to leave sooner.”

You have the right to:

• Request an explanation of the document.
• Request an interpreter.
• Add your own comments or refuse to sign if the record does not accurately reflect your statement.

4. Consider contacting a lawyer early

Based on DEDICA’s experience, many cases that initially seem to be “just a working invitation” later develop unfavorably because the foreign individual made uncontrolled statements early on.

A lawyer can:

• Explain your legal situation before the working session.
• Guide you on how to respond safely.
• Participate directly to protect your lawful rights and interests.

(Note: Lawyers do not guarantee case outcomes, but they help minimize legal risks and avoid unnecessary mistakes.)

Are foreigners required to attend when invited by the police?

This is a frequently asked question.

• If it is a written invitation, it is generally not coercive like a formal summons.
• However, refusal to cooperate may complicate the situation, especially for foreigners legally residing in Vietnam.

In many cases, attending the working session with prior legal preparation is the safer option.

Common legal risks when mishandling the first working session

Through practical experience advising and defending foreign clients, DEDICA has identified common risks such as:

• Initial statements that are inconsistent and later used against the individual.
• Unintentionally admitting conduct without fully understanding the nature of the case.
• Failing to request an interpreter, leading to misunderstandings in official records.
• Missing the critical early opportunity to obtain legal assistance.

These risks are difficult to remedy once a case has progressed further.

DEDICA Law – legal support for foreigners in criminal matters in Vietnam

DEDICA is a law firm based in Ho Chi Minh City with experience in advising and protecting the rights of:

• Foreigners invited to work with or investigated by authorities in criminal cases.
• Foreign suspects or defendants.
• Foreign victims or related parties in criminal cases in Vietnam.

We understand that for foreign clients, this is not only a legal issue, but also involves psychological pressure, visa status, employment, and personal reputation.

Conclusion: being invited to work is not the real danger - not knowing your rights is

If you or your loved one is a foreigner who has been invited to work with the police without a clear explanation, remember:

• You have the right to ask.
• You have the right to receive an explanation.
• You have the right to seek legal assistance.

Handling the situation correctly from the very beginning can make a significant difference to how the case develops later.

Contact DEDICA Law Firm for Professional Legal Support

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