The Schengen States are not immigration countries. Foreign nationals visiting a Schengen State can be divided into three categories: those who do not need a visa, those wishing to visit the 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, Lithuania, 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? 

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

• As of January 1st, 2007, all Schengen states have raised the visa fees to 60 Euros. 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 forms (Vietnamese version).
• filled out completely and signed by the applicant with 2 recent passport pictures. 
• Payment of visa fees, non-refundable. 
•  Travel medical insurance (for 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.

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 a relative: birth certificate of applicant and birth certificate of relative or a statement of family relationship legalized by the Vietnamese authorities. 
• If employed: approval of leave from the 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 the 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 the purpose of travel, stating who will finance the 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 the previous year. 
•  Proof of trading history between the foreign company and (employer of) applicant.
•  Curriculum Vitae of the 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 the purpose of travel, stating who will finance the 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 the previous year. 
• Proof of trading history between the foreign company and (employer of) applicant.
• Curriculum Vitae of the 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 the minor is allowed to travel abroad. This statement has to be legalized by the Local Authorities. Please provide a birth certificate of the child and copies of the 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 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.