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Immigrant Visas

General Information

The Immigrant Visa (IV) Unit processes the visa applications of persons seeking to reside permanently in the United States, including immediate family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, fiancés (es) of U.S. citizens, alien workers and Amerasian applicants.

The Visa Process At A Glance

In general, a person who wishes to immigrate to the United States must have a petition approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before applying for an immigrant visa. When USCIS approves the petition, it will be forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing. Once the NVC completes the administrative processing of a case, they will schedule an interview appointment and forward the case file to the U.S Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City for an interview.

  • If you are interested in filing a petition for a fiancé(e) or family member, please go to Filing a Petition
  • If your petition has been approved by USCIS and is at the NVC, please see Administrative Process at the National Visa Center
  • If you are scheduled for an interview, please see Case at Post

Interviews: by appointment only IV applicants are given appointments by the National Visa Center (NVC) or our office.

Submission of Requested Documents: by appointment or any working day (except Wednesdays) from 1:00 to 2:00 PM. Please check the Consular Calendar for days our office is closed.

Note: Please note no phone call service is available. You can contact us via our online inquiry form.

The U.S. Consulate General is closed on Vietnamese and American holidays.

Please note that under U.S. law, we are ONLY permitted to discuss details of a visa case with the petitioner, the applicant or the attorney/legal representative of the case.

Important Notices

Please keep in mind that your signature on any visa application form is your guarantee that all information you provide is true and correct. You are personally and legally responsible, even if a travel agent or someone else prepares documents for you. Any fraudulent documents or misleading statements may result in your permanent ineligibility for any future visa.

No assurance regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Please do not make any binding travel plans until you have received your visa.

Closing Notice for Holidays

  • Beginning February 11, 2013 to February 18, 2013, the U.S. Consulate General will be closed for the Lunar New Year. The Consulate will resume normal hours on February 19, 2013.

    Thank you for your cooperation, and we wish you a wonderful spring festival. HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR !

Announcement

  • New USCIS Immigrant Visa (IV)/Diversity Visa (DV) Fee

    Effective February 1, 2013, all individuals issued immigrant visas overseas must pay a $165.00 USCIS Immigrant Fee before traveling to the United States. Only prospective adoptive parents whose child(ren) is/are entering the United States under either the Orphan or Hague Process, Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants who were employed by the U.S.government, returning residents, and those issued K visas are exempt from the new fee.  The below USCIS website has more details on the new fee, including contact information for USCIS, if there are further questions:

    www.USCIS.gov/ImmigrantFee

    See the "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)" section for more details regarding this fee. 

ANNOUNCEMENT

  • MEDICAL EXAMINATION FEES CHANGE 

    Effective December 01, 2012, the medical examination fees for the US Consulate HCMC designated panel physicians, The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Cho Ray hospital (CRH), will increase from US $110 to US$130 for each applicant 15 years and older and from US$80 to US$100 for each applicant under 15 years.

ANNOUNCEMENT

  • Attention American Citizen Petitioners:

    In an effort to provide the best customer service possible to our applicants, beginning Wednesday, November 21, 2012, Petitioner Hour will now take place by appointment only.  If it has been more than 3 months since the last applicant interview or submission of required documents, and the American Citizen petitioner would like to request a file review, please visit our website to submit a Petitioner Request for File Review at: Petitioner File Review Request

    If a file is reviewed, and it is determined that an appointment is necessary, our customer service team will contact the petitioner with further guidance.  We will try to resolve as many cases as possible without an appointment. 

    Note:  Walk-in petitioners without a scheduled appointment will not be seen.

Announcement

  • New Requirement for Justice Record Check

    Justice Record Check #2 Now Required With Immigrant / Fiancé(e) Visa Application

    Beginning November 1, 2012, all Immigrant Visa (IV) and Fiancé(e) applicants will now be required to present a Justice Record Check #2 (also known as Police Certificate #2) instead of Justice Record Check #1 as part of the immigrant visa application. Justice Record Check #2 will remain valid for one year for each visa applicant, 16 years or older. For more information on how to obtain a Justice Record Check #2, please see the reciprocity schedule at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=8987

ANNOUNCEMENT

  • Important Information on the Legal Rights of U.S. Immigrants.
    The International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA) of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 established various protections for foreign fianci(e)s and spouses of citizens and lawful permanent residents of the United States applying for K, non-immigrant or Marriage-Based immigrant visas.  Please click here to download the English version of an informational pamphlet provided by USCIS.