Visa application: where and how

Online portal, VFS Global centres, consular districts, fees, processing times, refusal.

How to apply

1. Online application: national visas can be applied for online through the Federal Foreign Office portal digital.diplo.de. Whether every visa category at the missions in Vietnam already uses the portal was not confirmed; follow the instructions on the Embassy page for your visa type.
2. Appointment at VFS Global: you then hand in your documents and give fingerprints at a VFS centre in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang. You may generally choose any of the three. In Da Nang, expect about 2 extra processing days, because VFS forwards the file to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City at no extra cost (Embassy page). Appointments are booked only on the VFS website, and booking is free (Embassy warning).
3. Fee: €75 (€37.50 for minors), paid in VND, plus the VFS service fee of €28.13, also in VND.
4. Translations: documents not in German or English need a translation; see Documents.

Overview of all long-stay visas: Embassy Hanoi, national visa.

Processing times

• The mission decides once the file is complete and the German authorities have consented; a fixed period for this step was not confirmed on the Embassy pages. In total, plan about 3 months (study: about 12 weeks), because the immigration office in Berlin and often the Federal Employment Agency must consent first.
• The Embassy asks you not to send status enquiries. Do not book flights before you have the visa.
• Some categories, such as language courses and specialty cooks, have waiting lists.

Consular districts (for passports, legalisation, consular matters)

Full list: Federal Foreign Office. That list still uses province names from before the 2025 province reform; ask the mission if unsure.

If your visa is refused

Since 1 July 2025 a refusal can no longer be challenged by "remonstration". You can submit a new application or sue at the Administrative Court of Berlin (Verwaltungsgericht Berlin): within 1 month of delivery if the refusal contains instructions on legal remedies, otherwise within 1 year (§ 74, § 58 (2) VwGO). Source: Federal Foreign Office. This is general information, not advice on your case.