Vietnamese citizens moving to Federal Republic of Germany
Vietnamese nationals typically move to Federal Republic of Germany through its standard work, study, family, and skilled-migration routes rather than through a dedicated bilateral scheme. Eligibility and processing times are set by Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), so check each route below for its primary source.
We cover 8 Germany routes — 4 can be started without a job offer, and 6 lead to permanent residence.
Tourist entry
Tourist-entry rules for Vietnamese nationals are set by Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page before travelling. Either way, tourist entry does not confer the right to work, study long-term, or establish residence.
Treaty & bilateral memberships
- Schengen Area
Consular processing: a Federal Republic of Germany consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence
What this means for Vietnamese citizens
Of the 8 Federal Republic of Germany routes we cover, 4 can be started without an employer sponsor and 6 can lead to permanent residence. Relevant memberships: Schengen Area. Language-test requirements vary by route — check each route below for the requirement set out in its official source.
Headline figures — EU Blue Card (Germany)
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
Salary you must earn
€50,700/yr
EU Blue Card — general threshold
Verified 1 January 2026 · Make it in Germany — EU Blue Card →
Government cost
€185
Single applicant, visa + residence title, no translations
Family reunion D-visas: €75 each. Residence titles for family members: €100 on issuance, €96 on extension. Children under 18 pay reduced rates (typically half).
Verified 1 June 2026 · Make it in Germany — EU Blue Card →
How long it takes
4 weeks – 3 months
EU Directive 2021/1883 sets a 90-day statutory maximum for an EU Blue Card decision. In practice, Make-it-in-Germany publishes 1–3 months for consular processing from abroad and 4–6 weeks for in-country conversions at the Ausländerbehörde. Vorabzustimmung (pre-approval) by the Foreigners’ Authority shortens consular timelines materially.
Verified 1 June 2026 · Make-it-in-Germany â EU Blue Card →
Time to permanent residence
Arrival → Niederlassungserlaubnis (21-60 months depending on route and German level) → citizenship (5 years).
Leads to Niederlassungserlaubnis (Settlement Permit), then German citizenship.
Routes with nationality-specific notes
Each link opens the Vietnamese-specific guide for that route.
EU Blue Card (Germany)
Work and residence permit for highly qualified non-EU professionals with a qualifying German job offer.
Vietnamese EU Blue Card applicants split between IT (software and data engineers in Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City tech corridors) and healthcare under the GIZ Triple Win Programme. The German Embassy in Hanoi processes most Blue Card files; the German Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City handles southern-Vietnam intake. Vietnam is not a Hague Apostille country — Vietnamese degree certificates require the full consular legalisation chain: Vietnamese notary, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then German consular legalisation. Budget 6–10 weeks for the chain. MOET-recognised universities (Hanoi University of Science and Technology, VNU, HCMC University of Technology) are mostly Anabin H+; many private and recently-established universities require a ZAB Statement of Comparability. Goethe-Institut Hanoi is the standard A1/A2 German route, with telc partner schools as backup.
Chancenkarte (Germany Opportunity Card)
Points-based 1-year residence permit that lets non-EU skilled workers from any country move to Germany without a job offer to search for qualifying work. Six points or full qualification recognition required.
Vietnamese Chancenkarte applicants are predominantly vocational-track candidates rather than university graduates, reflecting the strong bilateral Pflegekraft pipeline. The 2-years-vocational-training baseline (rather than university degree) is the entry point; subsequent points stack heavily on shortage-occupation training (+1) and language. Vietnam is not a Hague Apostille country — vocational certificates require the full Vietnamese MOJ + MOFA + German consular legalisation chain (6–10 weeks). The German Embassy in Hanoi handles most Chancenkarte intake; the Ho Chi Minh City consulate handles southern submissions. MOET-recognised vocational and higher-education institutions are the Anabin baseline; private and newer institutions almost always require a ZAB Statement of Comparability.
All Federal Republic of Germany routes open to Vietnamese applicants
General routes available to all nationalities. Click any to read the full guide.
Skilled Worker residence permit (§18a/§18b AufenthG)
Sponsored work and residence permit for qualified non-EU workers from any country worldwide who have a German job offer and a recognised qualification.
Job offer required · Leads to permanent residence
Recognition Partnership (Anerkennungspartnerschaft)
Residence permit allowing skilled workers to complete their qualification recognition while living and working in Germany.
Job offer required · Leads to permanent residence
Freelance / Self-employment residence permit (§21 AufenthG)
Residence permit for self-employed workers and liberal professionals establishing a business in Germany.
No job offer needed · Leads to permanent residence
Job Seeker visa (§20 AufenthG)
Up to 6-month residence permit for qualified workers to seek employment in Germany (largely superseded by Chancenkarte).
No job offer needed · Temporary
German Student residence permit
Residence permit for international students enrolled at recognised German higher education institutions.
Job offer required · Temporary
Family reunion residence permit
Residence permit for spouses and children of German residents or citizens.
No job offer needed · Leads to permanent residence
Recent policy changes affecting this route
What changed most recently on this route — each linked to its primary government source.
- 1 June 2024In force 1 June 2024
Germany launches the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card)
Germany launched a new points-based residence permit for job seekers under the Skilled Immigration Act reforms.
German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action →
Frequently asked questions
Can Vietnamese citizens enter Federal Republic of Germany without a visa?+
Tourist-entry rules for Vietnamese nationals are set by Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page before travelling. Either way, tourist entry does not confer the right to work, study long-term, or establish residence.
Which Federal Republic of Germany visa routes are best suited to Vietnamese applicants?+
Common general routes used by Vietnamese applicants include EU Blue Card (Germany), Chancenkarte (Germany Opportunity Card). Vietnamese nationals typically move to Federal Republic of Germany through its standard work, study, family, and skilled-migration routes rather than through a dedicated bilateral scheme. Eligibility and processing times are set by Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), so check each route below for its primary source.
Where do Vietnamese applicants typically apply for a Federal Republic of Germany visa?+
Applications are typically processed at a Federal Republic of Germany consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Some digital and in-country applications can be filed directly with Federal Republic of Germany's immigration authority without a consular visit.
Do Vietnamese citizens need a job offer to move to Federal Republic of Germany?+
Not necessarily. 4 of the 8 Federal Republic of Germany routes we cover can be started without an employer sponsor, while the rest need a sponsoring employer or job offer. If you do not have an offer yet, the no-sponsor routes are the place to start.
Can Vietnamese citizens get permanent residence in Federal Republic of Germany?+
Yes. 6 of the 8 Federal Republic of Germany routes we cover lead toward settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Timelines vary by route, so check the settlement detail on each visa page.
How much does the EU Blue Card (Germany) cost for a Vietnamese applicant?+
Government fees for the worked example (Single applicant, visa + residence title, no translations) total about €185. Family reunion D-visas: €75 each. Residence titles for family members: €100 on issuance, €96 on extension. Children under 18 pay reduced rates (typically half). Figures from Make it in Germany — EU Blue Card, verified 1 June 2026. Treat these as indicative — confirm the current schedule on the official source before budgeting.
What salary do Vietnamese applicants need for the EU Blue Card (Germany)?+
The EU Blue Card — general threshold floor is €50,700/yr, effective 1 January 2026 (Make it in Germany — EU Blue Card). Your occupation's published going rate may bind higher — whichever is greater applies.
How long does the EU Blue Card (Germany) take to process from Vietnam?+
The typical published decision window is 4 weeks – 3 months. Vietnamese applicants usually file via a Federal Republic of Germany consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence, and consular-post backlogs can add to the wait. Source: Make-it-in-Germany â EU Blue Card, verified 1 June 2026.
How long until permanent residence in Federal Republic of Germany?+
Arrival → Niederlassungserlaubnis (21-60 months depending on route and German level) → citizenship (5 years). The route leads to Niederlassungserlaubnis (Settlement Permit), then German citizenship. See BMI — German citizenship law for the qualifying-residence rules.