Visa

Admittance of foreign nationals into a " Schengen State "

General

Schengen States are not immigration countries. Foreign nationals visiting a Schengen State can be divided in three categories: those who do not need a visa, those wishing to visit Schengen States for a short period not exceeding 3 months, and others wishing to stay for a longer period than 3 months. Holders of a Vietnamese passport require a visa for the "Schengen States". Other nationals may require a visa and should inquire at the Embassy of the Schengen States.

For “General presentation on EU visa policy” please click here.

Information on short-stay visa (up to 3 months)

On 26 March 1995, the SCHENGEN visa was introduced. The SCHENGEN visa is now valid for the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuana, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. A SCHENGEN visa issued by an Embassy or Consulate of one of the SCHENGEN countries allows the holder to travel freely in these countries.

However, please note that a holder of a SCHENGEN visa is still subject to immigration control and is not guaranteed entry into any of the SCHENGEN countries; a visa is not in itself a right to enter a country.  See also the specific country information

The total duration of stay, whether one or several visits, may not exceed three months within half a year and the visitor must leave the Schengen countries before the expiring date of the visa.

Where to apply for a SCHENGEN visa?

  • If visiting only one of the SCHENGEN countries, an application should be handed in at the Embassy or Consulate of that country.
  • If visiting several SCHENGEN countries, an application should be handed in at the Embassy or Consulate of the country in which your main destination will be.
  • If visiting several SCHENGEN countries without having a main destination, an application should be handed in at the Embassy or Consulate of the first SCHENGEN country on your travel itinerary for which a visa is required.

Which documents must be submitted before individual visa applications can be considered?

A) For all applicants the following general requirements apply, regardless the purpose of visit:

  • As of January 1 st 2007 all Schengen states have raised the visa fees to 60 Euro. Please inquire in the respective Embassy in which currency the fee has to be paid.
  • A passport or official travel document accepted by the SCHENGEN countries and valid for at least 3 months longer than the validity of the visa, with a blank visa page
  • Two application form pdf - 36 KB [36 KB] (Vietnamese version)
  • filled out completely and signed by the applicant with 2 recent passport pictures.
  • Payment of visa fees, non-refundable.
  •  Travel medical insurance (f or EU, at least coverage of 30.000 EUR), covering eventual fees for health care, hospital emergencies and medical repatriation, except for Diplomatic and Official Passport holders
  • Documentation should be submitted in originals + 1 set of copies.
  • A copy of the passport and of all the used pages
  • Confirmed flight reservation
  • All documents need to be translated into an official language of our country or English by a certified translator.
  • See also the specific country information

B) Additional specific required documentation supporting a visa application depends on the purpose of the visit:

1. Purpose of visit: Visiting friends/relatives:

  • Proof of relationship to relative: birth certificate of applicant and birth certificate of relative or a statement of family relationship legalised by the Vietnamese authorities.
  • If employed: approval of leave from employer
  • If applicant finances the stay: bankbook or last 3 salary slips of applicant and proof of solvability: e.g.bankbook of current and previous calendar years or valid credit card
  • See also the specific country information
  • For Italy: see TOURISM visa

2. Purpose of visit: Tourism

  • Travel plan from a travel agency
  • Confirmed hotel reservations
  • Proof of solvability: e.g. bankbook of current and previous calendar years or valid credit card
  • If employed: approval of leave employer. This letter MUST mention the complete company name, address with phone- & fax numbers
  • Curriculum Vitae of applicant
  • See also the specific country information

3. Purpose of visit: Business

  •  If self-employed, copy of companies' registration with Plan and Investment Department
  •  If working for a company: official letter from employer stating purpose of travel, stating who will finance business trip. (+ financial. status of Vietnamese company if it finances the trip) This letter MUST mention the complete company name, address with phone- & fax numbers
  •  Invitation from a company in our country, to be forwarded by this company to the Embassy.
  •  Proof of solvability: e.g. bankbook of current and previous calendar years or valid credit card
  •  Original papers of tax payments of previous year.
  •  Proof of trading history between the foreign company and (employer of) applicant
  •  Curriculum Vitae of applicant
  •  See also the specific country information

4. Purpose of visit: Conference/Course/Training

  • If self-employed, copy of companies' registration with Plan and Investment Department
  • If working for a company: official letter from employer stating purpose of travel, stating who will finance business trip. (+ financial. status of Vietnamese company if it finances the trip) This letter MUST mention the complete company name, address with phone- & fax numbers
  • Invitation from a company in our country, to be forwarded by this company to the Embassy.
  • Proof of solvability: e.g. bankbook of current and previous calendar years or valid credit card
  • Original papers of tax payments of previous year.
  • Proof of trading history between the foreign company and (employer of) applicant
  • Curriculum Vitae of applicant
  • See also the specific country information

All purposes:

  • Additional documentation for children under the age of 18: a declaration from both parents stating that minor is allowed to travel abroad. This statement has to be legalised by the local Authorities. Please provide a birth certificate of child and copies of passport or Identity card of both parents.
  • Depending on the circumstances of an application for a visa, it may be required to produce further documentation to obtain more information in order to complete the application for processing .
  • A verbal note is required for holders for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
  • It is essential to apply in person for a visa well in advance of the visit.
  • See also the specific country information