From Auswärtiges Amt
“The visa decision is made by the German consular post in Vietnam in coordination with the responsible German authority, which assesses the business plan for economic interest, positive effects on the economy, and secured financing. The German consular posts reserve the right to request further documents or information beyond the list above as needed. Note on retirement provision from age 45 (verbatim from the Merkblatt): skilled workers first applying for a residence title under § 18b Abs. 1 of the Residence Act who have completed their 45th year of life at the time of issue must show either a salary amounting to 55 % of the annual contribution-assessment ceiling in the general pension insurance (2023: EUR 4,015 per month / EUR 48,180 per year) or adequate retirement provision, unless a justified exception applies.”
What you need
- You must submit a VIDEX application form, biometric photos, and a valid passport. Core documents for the venture: a structured business plan (capital requirement, financing, company profile, marketing strategy, revenue forecast, planned employment / training positions, innovation and research), a commercial-register extract, a CV, and qualification evidence (notarised German translation). Applicants aged 45 and over must show evidence of adequate retirement provision, unless a justified exception applies. Private medical insurance with cover from the day of entry for at least three months is required.
Checklist
9 01
Application and identity
- Application form for national visas, completely filled out and signed by the applicant (online application form via VIDEX) *
- Two recent biometric passport photos (45 mm x 35 mm) (photo specifications template). Please glue only one photo onto the application form and bring the second loose *
- Valid passport (or a recognised substitute travel document) *
02
Business venture
- Business plan. A structured and detailed description of the business idea. The description should contain the following points and be supported by appropriate evidence: • capital-requirement plan and financing plan; • presentation of the company profile; • marketing strategy; • revenue forecast; • where applicable, information on the number of jobs and/or training positions expected to be created; • explanation of how the areas of innovation and research are positively affected by the venture *
- Commercial-register extract (Handelsregisterauszug). It should show how many shareholders there are and who has been appointed as managing director (Geschäftsführer) *
03
Personal profile
- Curriculum vitae *
- Qualification evidence. In original — e.g. certificates, diplomas (with supplement), employment record book, language-skills evidence — with notarised German translation of all documents *
- Where applicable, adequate retirement provision. Skilled workers first applying for a residence title under § 18b Abs. 1 of the Residence Act who have completed their 45th year of life at the time of issue must show either a salary amounting to 55 % of the annual contribution-assessment ceiling in the general pension insurance (2023: EUR 4,015 per month / EUR 48,180 per year) or adequate retirement provision, unless a justified exception applies
04
Medical insurance
- Proof of adequate medical insurance cover for entry, valid from your intended entry date and for a duration of at least three months *
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