Chapter 5. A Country-by-Country Guide to Research Requirements
How to use this chapter. The table and notes below summarize the types of requirement commonly encountered in each country, with examples of agencies. They were assembled from published guidance available when this book was prepared and must be checked against current official sources before use, because procedures, agency names and fees change. Always contact your local host institution and the relevant agencies early.
| Country | Typical approvals and bodies (examples) | Important points |
|---|---|---|
| Brunei | Host institution (for example, Universiti Brunei Darussalam); relevant ministries; health-research ethics committee of the health ministry for health studies | Small research community; national philosophy and monarchy are sensitive subjects; confirm permissions in writing |
| Cambodia | Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport and other relevant ministries; National Ethics Committee for Health Research (NECHR) under the health ministry for health studies | Khmer Rouge-era history is sensitive; Khmer-language materials and trusted local partners are essential |
| Indonesia | National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) foreign research permit and ethical clearance; research visa (E29) after permit; notification to relevant home-affairs and police authorities; local-government permission for fieldwork areas; material transfer agreement for specimens [20] | BRIN requires foreign researchers to obtain a permit regardless of the length of research, and also for researchers who only use data collected in Indonesia; deposit of primary data and outputs may be required; Personal Data Protection Law (2022) [19] |
| Laos | Endorsement by a Lao host institution and relevant ministries; national ethics committee for health research for health studies | Government approval is typically required for fieldwork outside the capital; plan extra time |
| Malaysia | Local university or institute as host; approvals from government agencies and state authorities depending on the topic; Medical Research and Ethics Committee and National Medical Research Register for health research; biodiversity access rules (federal and Sabah/Sarawak state laws); Orang Asli research through relevant authorities | Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (amended 2024) [24]; Access to Biological Resources and Benefit Sharing Act 2017 [24]; race, religion and royalty are sensitive topics |
| Myanmar | Department of Medical Research ethics committee for health studies; other approvals unclear and changing | Since the 2021 coup the security and legal environment has been severely restricted; many institutions limit or prohibit fieldwork; participant and researcher safety come first; seek institutional risk assessment |
| Philippines | Research ethics committees accredited by the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) for health research [16]; university committees for social research; National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) certification and FPIC for research with Indigenous communities [18]; environment department permits for wildlife and protected areas | Data Privacy Act of 2012 [17]; strong research ethics tradition; local government unit endorsement often needed |
| Singapore | Institutional review boards at universities and hospitals; Human Biomedical Research Act 2015 for human biomedical research [23]; approvals from ministries and agencies for access to schools, public data or public-sector participants | Personal Data Protection Act 2012 [22]; strict laws on public order and online falsehoods; clear and well-documented processes |
| Thailand | National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) permission for foreign researchers; university IRBs; ethics review network (FERCIT); permission for specific areas such as national parks | Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019) [21]; strict lèse-majesté law (Section 112 of the Criminal Code); security-sensitive southern border provinces |
| Timor-Leste | Host institution; national authorities including the health ministry’s ethics review for health studies | Newest ASEAN member; limited infrastructure; multiple languages (Tetum, Portuguese and many local languages); local partners essential |
| Vietnam | Cooperation with a Vietnamese institution; approvals from relevant ministries and provincial authorities; ethics councils (for example, in health research) | Decree 13/2023 on personal data protection and later legislation on data [25]; cybersecurity law; fieldwork often requires local authority permission; 54 recognized ethnic groups |
Notes by country
Brunei. Research is concentrated in a small number of institutions, so a local institutional partner is almost always the best route. Matters relating to the monarchy, national philosophy and religion should be approached with great care.
Cambodia. Researchers often work with Cambodian universities, ministries and non-governmental organizations. History after 1975 and land rights can be sensitive. Health research must pass national ethics review.
Indonesia. This is one of the most formalized systems for foreign researchers. Official guidance from BRIN describes a sequence: submit a research proposal and documents for ethical clearance and the foreign research permit through BRIN’s online systems, with a sponsor or guarantee letter from an Indonesian partner; classification of proposals by field; the permit is then used for the research visa; after arrival, a limited stay permit and notifications to relevant authorities may be required; researchers must keep activities, locations and dates consistent with the approvals [20]. Foreign researchers and partners have also been required to deposit primary data and outputs with BRIN, and tangible research materials leaving the country require a material transfer agreement [20]. Papua and some conflict-affected areas have additional restrictions.
Laos. Government oversight is strong and access can be slow. Working with a Lao institution that understands the process is essential.
Malaysia. There is a mix of federal and state rules, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, where state agencies manage biodiversity and cultural matters. Orang Asli (Indigenous Peninsular peoples) research needs special care and community consent.
Myanmar. The safety of participants may be at stake: interviews or data about political topics could expose people to serious harm. Many universities and funders have restricted travel and fieldwork. Consider remote, secondary or diaspora-based approaches and consult institutional risk offices.
Philippines. The Philippines has detailed health-research ethics guidelines and a mature network of committees [16]. Research with Indigenous peoples requires FPIC processes and NCIP certification under the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act [18].
Singapore. Approvals are generally clear but multiple agencies may be involved. Respect legal requirements on data and public order.
Thailand. Foreign researchers need NRCT permission for research in the country. University IRBs follow international standards in many cases. Criminal laws on the monarchy and defamation require caution with publications and participant protection.
Timor-Leste. As a young state and the newest ASEAN member, Timor-Leste is building research regulation and infrastructure. Partnerships with national institutions and ethics review from the health or education authority matter, and researchers should plan extra time and resources.
Vietnam. Researchers typically work through a Vietnamese partner institution, which helps with permissions, local authorities and translation. Surveys and fieldwork often require formal approval, and data handling rules are developing quickly.
What to do when information is unclear. (1) Ask your local partner to confirm in writing. (2) Ask your own research office whether they have a country guide. (3) Contact the relevant agency directly, in a language it uses. (4) Allow generous time. (5) If in doubt, do not proceed until you have written clarity.
Reflection: For your target country, list every approval you think you will need and the agency responsible; then verify with your local partner.