Finland denies visa for Vietnamese passports over lack of birthplace info

In a statement released on its Facebook account, the embassy said the new passport "does not contain information of the place of birth of the passport holder, which is a requirement for personal identification and also for processing of Finnish visa/residence permit applications."

Therefore, Finland has decided to "temporarily suspend recognition of Vietnam's new passport," meaning their holders would not be able to apply for visa or residence permit until further notice.

Finland is the latest country to reject Vietnam's new passport over the lack of places of birth. Germany denied visas for holders of Vietnam's new passports on July 27, followed by Spain on August 1. The Czech Republic on August 2 also said it does not recognize Vietnam's new passport for the same reason.

However, the Spanish Embassy in Hanoi on Monday said it would accept Vietnam's new passport following consultation with Spanish authorities. But those who wish to apply for visa need to bring both their new passports and valid identity cards to verify their places of birth, it added.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security said information regarding places of birth would be added to Vietnam's new passports to make it convenient for citizens. For now, such information would be manually added to the new passports upon request, and in the long run, there would be adjustments to the new passports so that one’s place of birth would be included, said public security minister To Lam.

Vietnamese new passport, with decorations on its pages and covers, has been in use since July 1 this year. The old, green cover passports will continue to be valid till they expire.