After you receive your visa interview appointment, you must complete each of the steps below. If you do not complete each step before your visa interview appointment the consular section may require you to reschedule for a later date.

All applicants must follow the instructions below before you go to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  

Step 1: Register appointment online

At least 5 business days before your visa interview appointment, you must register your appointment here.

Your registration ensures we have the correct information to return your passport and documents after your visa interview.  Registration also allows you to cancel or reschedule your interview if necessary. 

Register >>

Step 2: Get a medical examination in Vietnam

As soon as you receive your appointment date, schedule a medical exam in Vietnam. Click the Medical Exam Instructions button below for a list of designated panel doctors in Vietnam. Schedule and attend a medical exam with one of them before your interview.

Bring the exam information sheet to your visa interview. Applicants with no information sheet are turned away. 

Medical Exam >>

Step 3: Complete your pre-interview checklist

It is important that you bring all required original documents to your interview. Click the Pre-Interview Checklist button below for a checklist that tells you what to bring. Print the COVER SHEET and bring it to your interview with all the listed documents.

Make sure that:

• Your documents in CEAC are updated.
• You bring the ORIGINAL documents to the interview.

The documents you bring must match what you uploaded to CEAC. If they do not match, you will be turned away.

Pre-Interview Checklist >>

Step 4: Review interview guidelines

Read our Fingerprinting Instructions and other interview guidelines to learn about any special actions that you need to take before your visa interview.

Interview Guidelines >>

Medical Examination Instructions

Everyone applying for an immigrant visa, no matter how old they are, must have a medical exam before they get their visa.

• Only a physician on the panel approved by the U.S. Consulate can do the exam.
• It is your responsibility to schedule and attend a medical exam with one of the following doctors before your visa interview appointment.
• Medical exam results from different physicians will not be accepted.

Approved Physicians

Cho Ray Hospital (CRH)
Visa Medical Department
201B Nguyen Chi Thanh Street,
Cho Lon Ward,
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: (84-28) 3856 5703
Website: choray.vn

International Organization for Migration (IOM) – Ho Chi Minh City
1B Pham Ngoc Thach Street,
Sai Gon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: (84-28) 3822 2057
Fax: (84-28) 3822 1780
Website: vietnam.iom.int

International Organization for Migration (IOM) – Hanoi

10^th Floor, Keangnam Landmark 72 Tower, Pham Hung Road,
Yen Hoa Ward, Hanoi
Tel: (84-24) 3736 6258
Fax: (84-24) 3736 6259
Website: vietnam.iom.int

Items to bring to your medical examination

The panel doctor needs the items that follow to complete the medical exam forms Bring them to your medical exam. 

1. Your visa interview appointment letter
2. An original passport for every eligible traveling applicant
3. The fee for your medical examination
4. A copy of your vaccination records, if available
5. Your form DS-260 confirmation page 

You must pay all medical examination fees (including x-ray and blood test fees) directly to the panel physician. 

Please check our fees page for the costs associated with your medical exam.

During the medical exam

The medical examination includes:

1. A medical history review
2. A physical examination
3. Chest X-ray
4. Blood and urine tests for applicants aged 15 and older
5. The United States also requires tuberculosis (TB) testing for all applicants ages two and older.
6. Please be prepared to discuss your medical history, medications you are taking, and current treatments you are undergoing.

If the doctor determines that you need additional vaccinations, go to one of these immunization providers only:

Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control
957 Ba Thang Hai Street, Minh Phung Ward
Ho Chi Minh City

Hong Ngoc Hospital – Hanoi
55 Yen Ninh Street, Ba Dinh Ward, Hanoi
Tel: (84-24) 3927 5559 or 7305 8880

You can find more information about general medical requirements for U.S. immigrants at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

U.S. immigration law requires that immigrant visa applicants get certain vaccinations before a visa is issued. You can find more information about the vaccinations that are required by clicking vaccination requirements. You can also read Frequently Asked Questions about our medical examination requirements at Travel.state.gov.

After the medical exam

After your exam, the physician will give you the medical exam results or the Information Sheet as proof that you finished the exam.

Important: If the physician gives you these results in a sealed envelope, DO NOT OPEN THE ENVELOPE.

If the panel physician gives you the x-rays, you do not need to bring them to your visa interview.

• However, you must carry the x-rays with you when you travel to the United States for the first time.

Important: The medical report must be less than six months old when you enter the United States as an immigrant.

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Pre-Interview Checklist

Every document that is not in English or Vietnamese must have a certified English translation. The translations must have a statement by the translator saying that they are competent to translate and that the translation is accurate. In some cases, you may be asked to submit translations for Vietnamese documents.

Use this checklist to find the items that every applicant must bring to the immigrant visa interview:

• COVER SHEET: Print the COVER SHEET here and complete all the items listed in it. This will make sure you are ready for your interview. You will be TURNED AWAY and asked to reschedule a new interview if this COVER SHEET has not been completed.
  
  You must make sure that:

1. You uploaded and submitted all the updated documents to CEAC, and
2. You bring to your interview ALL the ORIGINAL and CERTIFIED COPY documents that match the documents you uploaded to CEAC.  
3. All applicants who did not complete their medical examination and bring their information sheet from the panel physician will also be turned away.
4. Appointment Confirmation Page: Please visit: bit.ly/ivec to register your appointment. You must bring a copy of the Appointment Confirmation Page with you to the interview and whenever you are scheduled to come to the U.S. Consulate General after your interview. You will be TURNED AWAY and requested to reschedule a new interview if you fail to submit this Appointment Confirmation Page.

• Appointment Letter and DS-260 Confirmation Page: When you arrive at the Consulate, present the Appointment Letter and the DS-260 confirmation page to the guard for entrance and to the Consulate’s staff. Staple the DS-260 Confirmation Page of the principal applicant under the Appointment Letter.
  
  
• Two (2) full face color visa photos for every applicant They must have been taken within 6 months before the interview. See visa photo requirements here.
  
  
• Identification (ID) Card and Household Registration Book (if any): Copy and original.
  
  
• Passport(s): Copy and original. The passport(s) must be valid for at least 60 days after the validity of the visa.
  • Bring one (1) copy of the passport biodata page for every applicant. This includes children that are listed in their parents’ passport.
     
• Birth Certificates and Adoption Decrees: Bring copies and original birth certificates of:
  1. The petitioner, and
  2. Every person listed on the application, and
  3. All the principal applicant’s children (even if he or she is not coming with you).
  4. If you do not have the petitioner’s birth certificate, the officer will review the case and provide guidance at the interview.
  5. If you or any children were adopted, you must submit an official adoption decree.
  
  
• Medical examination results: Please submit medical examination results or the Information Sheet provided by the panel physician as proof of that the medical examination was completed.
  • Important: If the doctor gives you these results in a sealed envelope, DO NOT OPEN IT. Instead, bring it to your visa interview.

If you are age 16 years or older:

• Bring an original Vietnam Justice Record Check #2 with wet signature and stamp (electronic versions of the Justice Record Check #2 are not accepted), and
  
  
• An original police certificate from any foreign country where you lived. Follow the instructions here: https://bit.ly/civildoc (see Police Certificates). 
  

Information about how to get these documents is available at: https://nvc.state.gov/find.

If you are married: Bring your original marriage certificate and a photocopy.

If you were previously married: Bring your original divorce or previous spouse’s death certificate and a photocopy.

If you have ever been convicted of a crime: Bring court and criminal records and photocopies.

If you have served in any country’s military: Military records and a photocopy.

Applicants who fall into any category listed in italics below should bring these additional documents:

For family-based visa applications:

• The correct Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for:
  • Every financial sponsor and
  • Photocopies of their IRS transcript or most recent U.S. federal income tax return, and
  • All of their form W-2s
     
• Proof of your U.S. petitioner’s status and domicile (legal residence) in the United States (photocopy of a U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or lawful permanent resident card).
  
  
• Evidence of your relationship with the petitioner and your derivative family members (if any) (such as photographs, letters, or emails).
  
  
• If you are the petitioner’s stepchild:
  • The original marriage certificate of the petitioner and your biological parent and
  • A photocopy and
  • Divorce records for any previous marriages of either parent.

For employment-based visa applications:

• Letter from your U.S. employer dated less than one month ago.

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Interview Guidelines

Rescheduling or cancelling your interview

If you cannot attend your appointment, you may schedule a new interview at Reschedule My Immigrant Visa Appointment.

1. There may be a significant wait before the next available appointment, so please make every effort to attend the appointment NVC scheduled for you.
2. Diversity Visa applicants should be aware that these kind of visas are limited in number and must be issued by September 30 of the program year.
3. Review the Visa Bulletin carefully before you ask to reschedule your interview.

Important: There is no guarantee that a visa will still be available on the date of your rescheduled interview.

Security screening and Fingerprinting procedures

All visitors to the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City must follow certain security procedures.

• Any visitor who refuses to be screened by U.S. Consulate security personnel cannot enter the embassy.

To avoid causing delays, bring only what is required for your interview. Click here for more information about what items you cannot bring into the consulate

You also need to have your fingerprints taken before the interview. Please read the Fingerprinting Instructions.

Accompanying persons

Only these people may come to the interview with visa applicants:

• Applicants may bring one interpreter if they do not speak English or Vietnamese well enough to participate in an interview.
• Applicants may bring one person to help if they are elderly, disabled, or a minor child.  

Immigrant visa processing fees

If you have not paid all the required fees to the National Visa Center, be prepared to pay them on the day of your interview. You can pay them ahead of time at the appointment website.

All fees must be paid in U.S. dollars or the Vietnam Dong equivalent. We only accept cash and credit or debit cards.

Please Note: If you are found ineligible to receive a visa, the application fee cannot be refunded. A complete list of fees can be found here.

Do not make travel plans outside of Vietnam

If your visa is approved, we will keep your passport at the consulate while we prepare your immigration packet and print a visa for your passport.

We will return your passport to you later by courier services only. If you must travel in Vietnam while your passport is still with us, please make sure you have a valid picture ID and your passport.

A consular officer can only decide on a visa application after he or she reviews the formal application and interviews the applicant.

There is no guarantee that you will receive a visa. Do not sell your house, car or property, resign from your job or make non-refundable flight or other travel arrangements until you receive your immigrant visa.

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After the Interview

If your case is refused

Sometimes a consular officer refuses a visa application because he or she needs to review additional documents or the case requires further administrative processing.

For additional documents

• The consular officer will give you a refusal letter that asks you to submit the additional documents.
• The letter will include instructions about how to send those documents to the Consulate.

For administrative processing:

• This means the consulate needs more time to review your case.
• How long it takes depends on your particular situation.
• Wait at least 60 days after your interview before asking about you application status.

What happens after visa approval?

Passport, Visa, and Sealed Immigrant Packet: We will place your immigrant visa on a page in your passport.

1. Please check your visa to make sure there are no errors.

2. If IV Docs in CCD is marked on your visa, it means that you do not have a brown Immigrant Visa (IV) packet.

• If your visa does not have that marking, we will give you a sealed envelope containing documents you must give to U.S. immigration authorities when you arrive in the United States for the first time.
• DO NOT OPEN THAT ENVELOPE.
• You must carry it with you. Do not put it in your checked luggage.
• If you received X-rays during your medical examination, you must also carry those with you and give them to the U.S. immigration authorities.
• Please carry all vaccination records with you to the United States.

3. USCIS Immigrant Fee: Everyone who is issued an immigrant visa overseas must pay an Immigrant Fee to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before they travel to the United States.

• This fee is for processing your residency status and printing your Permanent Resident Card. Follow the instructions at: USCIS Immigrant Fee Payment Guide.
• The only people who do not have to pay this fee are children entering the United States under the Hague Process, returning residents, and people traveling on a K visa.

4. When You Should Travel: You must enter the United States before the expiration date on your visa. That is usually six months from the date of your medical exam.

• Your visa cannot be extended and fees cannot be refunded.
• The principal applicant must enter before or at the same time as other family members with visas.
• Unless they are eligible for benefits under the Child Status Protection Act, children who are issued a visa before they turn 21 years old must enter the United States before their 21^st birthday to prevent losing their immigrant status.

5. Getting a Green Card: Your Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card, also called a green card, will be automatically mailed to the address in the United States that you gave in your visa application form. This is an important document that proves you have permission to reside in the United States.

6. If you plan to travel outside the U.S. before your green card arrives: Make sure you review the (USCIS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) websites for rules about the documents you must have to re-enter the United States.

• We recommend that you check with the airline to make sure you are following their rules, especially those about travelers without a green card.

7. After your green card is granted, check your rights and responsibilities, including international travel, at the USCIS website: Rights and Responsibilities of a Green Card Holder (Permanent Resident) | USCIS

8. Once you receive your green card, do not stay outside the United States for more than one year. If you do, you will lose your status as a Lawful Permanent Resident.

Children’s Issues: In the United States, children must have certain vaccinations before they can enroll in school.

1. Bring your child’s complete vaccination records with you to the United States.
2. If your child is adopted, or if you have full custody because of a divorce, or if you share custody with another parent, bring a copy of all adoption or custody papers from the court that has the authority for such matters in your home country.
3. You will need these papers (translated into English) for important things such as school enrollment, medical care, and eventual citizenship.

Information for New Immigrants: Please visit the USCIS web page for helpful information about moving to the United States. You can read their publication Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants online.

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Instructions for K-1 Visa Applicants

Fiancé(e) visa applicants apply for K-1 visas at the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City. Once the U.S. Consulate receives the approved petition from the National Visa Center (NVC), the Immigrant Visa Unit will send the Instruction Package Letter (PKT3-K) to the beneficiary.

1. Create a USTravelDocs Account and Register Your Delivery Address

• Without delay, follow the instructions at: ustraveldocs.com/vn/en/immigrant-visa#kvisa (Step 2 only) to create a USTravelDocs account and register your delivery address.

2. Wait for the Instruction Package Letter (PKT3-K)

• After you create your USTravelDocs account and register your delivery address, please wait until you receive the Instruction Package letter (PKT-3) from the U.S. Consulate General.
• Do Not send any documents to the U.S. Consulate and Do Not schedule an interview appointment until you complete every requirement in the Instruction Package Letter (PKT3-K).
• Important: If you schedule an appointment before you receive the Instruction Package Letter (PKT3-K) and finish all the instructions in the PKT3-K, your appointment will be cancelled.

3. Prepare Required Documents

• While you wait for the Instruction Package Letter (PKT3-K), you can start preparing some of the documents (except the Medical Examination Report) required for your interview, if possible. The required documents are listed at: vn.usembassy.gov/required-documents/.

4. Submit Inquiries

• If you have questions, you can submit them through the inquiry form on our website at: vn.usembassy.gov/immigrant-visa-inquiry-form/.

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