Germany Refuses to Issue Visas For New Vietnamese Passports
Besides, the Embassy has not explained why the visas are not being approved, AtoZSerwisPlus.de reports.
Citizens of Vietnam holding a new passport with a dark blue cover instead of the traditional green one will not be eligible to apply for a C or D visa to enter Germany, the Embassy pointed out in this regard.
The C-type visa is a Schengen short-stay visa to Germany, permitting visitors to stay in the country for a period of 90 days. At the same time, persons who plan to stay in this country for more than 90 days are required to apply for a D-type visa.
Despite the fact that those who have received the visa in their passport are urged not to fly to Germany as they might be denied entry to the border.
According to the announcement of the Embassy, the recent changes will be kept in place until further notice, without providing further information.
In this regard, a representative at the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security said that it is working with the Foreign Affairs Ministry in order to further clarify the matter.
The official refused to confirm if one of the reasons for the visa denial was the lack of birthplace information in the new passport.
The new passport, holding decorations on its pages and covers, has been issued since July 1 this year. All persons who complete the required procedures can expect to get their passports in one or two weeks. The old passports would continue to be valid until they expire.
In this regard, travel firms specialising in the European market have said that they have cancelled tours or made last-minute itinerary changes after Germany refused to grant visas to holders of Vietnam’s new passports.
Pham Duy Nghia, director of Hanoi-based tour operator Vietfoot Travel, said his company had been heavily affected by the German government’s announcement.
“Currently, we have cancelled tours to Europe for dozens of tourists holding the new passports, and the damage is very serious,” Nghia told VnExpress International Thursday afternoon.
Due to the current situation, authorities in Germany have warned that holders of the new passport who have already been granted a visa shouldn’t travel to Germany after they might be denied entry at the border.
