Visa & Papers

Student Visa from Vietnam: Sperrkonto and Documents

By the GoGermany Editorial Team · 2026-07-26

Complete guide for Vietnamese students applying for a German student visa: APS certificate, Sperrkonto amount, document checklist, interview tips, and timelines.

Studying in Germany is a realistic goal for Vietnamese students, thanks to mostly tuition-free universities and one of the world's strongest engineering and business programmes. But turning that acceptance letter into a valid student visa Germany Vietnam path requires navigating an APS certificate, a blocked bank account, and a face-to-face embassy interview — all before you board a single flight. This guide walks you through every step in plain language so nothing catches you off-guard on application day.

Why the Student Visa Germany Vietnam Process Is Unique

Vietnam is one of a handful of countries whose applicants must obtain an APS certificate (Akademische Prüfstelle) before the German Embassy will even schedule a visa appointment. On top of that, Vietnamese applicants submit their file at one of two missions — the German Embassy in Hanoi or the German Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City — and attend a personal interview that probes academic motivation and German-language ability. Understanding these country-specific requirements up front saves weeks of confusion.

If you are comparing the Vietnamese pathway with similar processes elsewhere, you may find it useful to read APS Certificate Germany: Complete Guide for Indian Applicants, which explains the same APS logic in depth, or German Student Visa Step by Step: Documents, Fees & Timeline for a country-neutral overview.

Step 1 — Obtain Your APS Certificate

The APS (Academic Evaluation Centre) for Vietnam is housed inside the German Embassy Hanoi at 29 Trần Phú, Ba Đình. Applicants in the south may use the liaison office at the German Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City at 126 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, District 3.

What APS checks

• Authenticity of your Vietnamese secondary school certificates and university transcripts
• Academic equivalence to German entry requirements
• A short interview (in German or English) to confirm you understand your chosen programme

APS document list

• Completed APS application form (downloaded from aps-vietnam.de)
• Vietnamese high school graduation certificate + certified translation
• University transcripts (if applicable) + certified translation
• Proof of German or English language proficiency
• Two passport photos
• Fee: €50 (payable at the office)

Processing typically takes 4–6 weeks. You will receive a stamped APS certificate valid for two years. Keep the original — the embassy will want to see it.

Step 2 — Open Your Sperrkonto (Blocked Account)

German immigration law requires international students to prove they can fund their living costs. For 2025, the required annual amount is €11,904 (€992 per month × 12 months). This money must sit in a Sperrkonto — a blocked account at a recognised German financial institution — before your visa appointment.

The most popular providers among Vietnamese students are:

To calculate your exact required deposit — including the provider fee and any partial-year adjustments — use the free Sperrkonto Calculator.

How to open a Sperrkonto from Vietnam

1. Register online with your chosen provider using your passport.
2. Complete the video or online identity verification (no German bank visit needed).
3. Transfer the full €11,904 (plus provider fee) via international wire transfer from your Vietnamese bank.
4. Receive a Sperrkonto confirmation letter by email within 1–3 business days.
5. Include this letter in your visa file.

Note: Vietnamese banks charge an outward transfer fee of roughly ₫200,000–₫500,000 (€7–€18). Factor this into your budget when sending funds.

Step 3 — Assemble the Complete Document Checklist

Visa requirements can shift, so always verify the current list on the official embassy website. As of 2025, the standard file for a German student visa from Vietnam includes:

Identity and travel documents

• Valid passport (must be valid at least 6 months beyond intended stay)
• Two recent biometric passport photos (35 × 45 mm, white background)
• Previous visas and travel history (photocopies)

Academic documents

• APS certificate (original)
• University admission letter (Zulassungsbescheid) from a German institution
• Secondary school and university diplomas + certified Vietnamese-to-German/English translations
• Proof of German language skills: TestDaF, DSH, Goethe C1, or English equivalent if the programme is taught in English

Financial documents

• Sperrkonto confirmation letter (showing €11,904 deposit)
• Proof of scholarship, if applicable
• Last 3 months of parents' bank statements (supplementary evidence)

Other documents

• Completed visa application form (Schengen national D)
• Health insurance confirmation (travel or public statutory insurance)
• CV in German format
• Motivation letter explaining your study plan
• Proof of accommodation or student dormitory booking in Germany

For a personalised, country-specific checklist you can print and tick off, use the free Document Checklist tool — select Vietnam as your origin country and student visa as your category.

Need to strengthen your application narrative? The Cover Letter Generator produces a structured Anschreiben tailored to German university culture.

Step 4 — Booking Your Embassy Appointment

Visa appointments for Vietnamese applicants are booked through the VFS Global Vietnam portal (vfsglobal.com/germany/vietnam) or directly via the embassy's online calendar. Slots in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City can fill up 8–12 weeks in advance, especially between March–May and October–November when application volumes spike.

Visa fee: €75 (non-refundable, payable in Vietnamese dong at the current exchange rate on the day of appointment). The VFS Global service fee (if booked via VFS) is an additional ~€25.

Appointment day tips

• Arrive 15 minutes early — queues at both missions can be long.
• Bring every document in the original plus one full photocopy set.
• All translations must be done by a sworn translator (phiên dịch có công chứng).
• Dress formally; your first impression starts at the door.

Step 5 — The Visa Interview

Unlike applicants from many Western countries, Vietnamese students face a mandatory interview at the consular window. The officer will ask questions in German or English and assess whether your study plans are credible.

Common interview questions for Vietnamese applicants

• Warum haben Sie sich für Deutschland entschieden? (Why Germany and not another country?)
• Welche Universität haben Sie gewählt und warum diesen Studiengang? (Why this university and programme?)
• Wie finanzieren Sie Ihr Studium? (How will you fund your studies?)
• Was möchten Sie nach dem Abschluss machen? (What are your plans after graduation?)
• Haben Sie Deutsch gelernt? Wo und wie lange? (Did you learn German? Where and for how long?)
• Questions testing basic knowledge of the city you will live in (e.g., Munich, Berlin, Hamburg)

Prepare honest, specific answers. Officers are experienced at identifying vague or memorised responses. Practice beforehand with the Interview Prep tool, which simulates real German visa and university interview questions by field.

Timeline: From APS Application to Landing in Germany

Start the process at least 6 months before your intended semester start. Most German winter semesters begin in October; summer semesters begin in April. Build your personal month-by-month countdown with the free Migration Timeline.

Cost of Living: What €992/Month Buys You

The Sperrkonto releases €992 each month, which is the minimum the German government deems sufficient. In practice, costs vary significantly by city:

• Munich: €992 is tight — average student rent alone is €700–€900. Budget for a dormitory (Studentenwohnheim) via Studentenwerk München.
• Berlin: More manageable. Shared flat (WG) rooms average €600–€750; food and transport add ~€350.
• Leipzig or Dresden: Comfortable. Rent can be as low as €350–€500, leaving substantial room for food, transport, and leisure.

Use the Living Cost Calculator to compare real monthly budgets across German cities before deciding where to study.

Common Mistakes Vietnamese Applicants Make

Avoid these pitfalls that regularly lead to delays or refusals:

• Skipping APS and booking a visa appointment directly — the embassy will reject your file immediately without the APS certificate.
• Transferring the wrong amount to the Sperrkonto. The required sum changes annually (it was €10,332 in 2023, €11,208 in 2024, and €11,904 in 2025). Always confirm the current figure.
• Using uncertified translators. Translations must carry an official notary stamp (công chứng). University-language-centre translations are not accepted.
• Booking an appointment before receiving the APS certificate. If your APS takes longer than expected, you will need to rebook — losing your slot.
• Forgetting health insurance evidence. You need at least travel health insurance for the visa; you will need statutory public health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) once enrolled.
• Applying for a Schengen visa instead of a National D visa. Study stays longer than 90 days require a National D (long-stay) visa. See National D Visa vs Schengen Visa: Which Does Germany Need? for a clear explanation.
• Not preparing for the interview in German. Even if your programme is in English, speaking at least basic German in the interview reassures the consular officer.

Conclusion

The student visa Germany Vietnam path is multi-layered, but each requirement has a clear purpose and a straightforward solution. Get your APS certificate early, fund your Sperrkonto with the correct 2025 amount of €11,904, assemble certified translations of every academic document, and walk into your interview with prepared, honest answers. Students who plan six months ahead almost always succeed.

Ready to take the first concrete step? Build your personalised month-by-month plan with the Migration Timeline, then use the Document Checklist to make sure nothing is missing before you book your embassy slot. GoGermany's tools are free — start today and turn that Zulassungsbescheid into a boarding pass.

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