Germany denies visa for new Vietnamese passports

Vietnamese citizens with the new passport with a dark blue cover instead of the traditional green one, will not be able to apply for a C or D visa to enter Germany, the embassy said on its website Wednesday.

Even those who have received the visa in their new passports are advised to not fly to Germany as they might be denied entry at the border, the notice said.

These regulations will be effective until further notice, the embassy said without any further clarification.

A representative at the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security told VnExpress it is working with the Foreign Affairs Ministry to clarify the matter. The official refused to confirm if one reason for the visa denial is the lack of birthplace information in the new passport.

The new passport, with decorations on its pages and covers, has been in use since July 1 this year.

People who complete the needed procedures can expect to get their new passports in one or two weeks.

The old passports will continue to be valid till they expire.