U.S.-Vietnam Relations

Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Janice Jacobs
Interview with Vietnam Television VTC

February 12, 2009 – Hanoi, Vietnam

VTC:  Thank you for taking time here, and we are sure happy you have come here to Vietnam.

First of all I’d like to ask you something about Vietnam, the U.S. immigration process in this term of Mr. President Barack Obama.

Now as I know in the U.S. the unemployment rate is increasing.  What is the effect on the issuance of U.S. visas to people of other countries?

Assistant Secretary Jacobs:  I don’t think that the policy or the practices for issuing visas will change for now.  We are continuing to issue visas to qualified people.  In fact here in Vietnam we issue tens of thousands of visas every year.  That includes over 10,000 student visas alone last year.

President Obama has made it very clear that he wants the U.S. to be an open, welcoming country, and we will continue with that policy of welcoming all legitimate visitors to the United States.

VTC:  So will there be any changes?  As I know there are some adjustments in the foreign policy of the U.S., but are there any reforms or changes in immigration policy in the next term?

Assistant Secretary Jacobs:  It’s difficult to say.  I know that immigration reform was debated under the Bush administration.  I think there continues to be a lot of interest in immigration issues in the United States, and certainly there are members of our Congress who are interested in having that debate again.  So it is quite likely that at some time in the future that immigration reform will be discussed again.

I think right now President Obama is focusing a great deal of his energy on the domestic economic situation and working on a stimulus package there.  But I could see that over the next few months, perhaps year or two years, that immigration may be discussed again.

VTC:  On  Vietnam-U.S. education cooperation.  What do you think, and can you give me some of your opinions about the U.S.-Vietnam education cooperation?

Assistant Secretary Jacobs:  Let me just say in general that the relationship between the U.S. and Vietnam is growing stronger.  It is one that is based on a good deal of cooperation in many different areas and on mutual respect.

One of the best ways I think that we cooperate is to increase exchanges between each country.  We are in fact doing that here in Vietnam.  As I mentioned earlier, last year we issued over 10,000 student visas for Vietnamese students.  You may be interested to know that Vietnam is now the eighth largest sending country of foreign students to the United States.  We have about 15,000 Vietnamese students, and we would love to see that number grow.

Ambassador Michalak here in Hanoi is putting a major focus on increasing the number of Vietnamese students going to the United States.  So we want to do that.  I’ve been talking to student groups here in Vietnam during my visit to try to explain the U.S. education system and the opportunities, but also to talk about how to get a student visa.

VTC:  There are rumors that applying for a visa, a student visa to the U.S. is very, very difficult.  We Vietnamese students also speak like that and tell each other like that.  What do you think of it?

Assistant Secretary Jacobs:  I really don’t think it’s that difficult.  I think the fact that we issued so many visas last year is a good indication that you can get a visa.

I think sometimes people believe that it’s a difficult process, but really it’s very straightforward.  You apply to a U.S. school, you get accepted, you get the proper documents, and then you make your appointment for a visa interview and you have to show that you have enough money to pay for your studies in the United States.  But the most important thing is for you to be able to explain what it is you plan to do.  Why did you pick that school?  Why did you pick that area to study?  What are your plans for using your education?  The consular officer is interested in knowing what your long range plans are.  But we also try to be encouraging.  We also tell people not to be nervous.  The most important thing is to be honest and to simply tell your story about what it is that you’re going to do and as I said, many many people have been successful in getting student visas.

VTC:  We know some Vietnamese students in the U.S. have to work to earn some money to support their study.  Do you think the economic situation of the U.S. will affect immigrants and students from other countries?

Assistant Secretary Jacobs:  It’s difficult to say.  We’re sort of in the beginning stages of the economic downturn.  I think for foreign students who are allowed to work, that’s sometimes a myth that foreign students are not allowed to work.  They are in fact allowed to work up to 20 hours a week when school is in session, and up to 40 hours a week when it’s not.  But I think there will still be opportunities on campuses and other places for students to work.

VTC:  So what is the future of the U.S.-Vietnam education cooperation in the next four years?

Assistant Secretary Jacobs:  In the next four years I see it as very promising.  We’re hoping to see more and more students apply and come to the United States.  We feel that we offer many many good opportunities.  We have over 4,000 institutions of higher learning that people can choose from, and we are going to be doing a lot of outreach here in Vietnam to try to encourage as many people to come as possible.

We also have several exchange programs that are sponsored by the U.S. government.  Probably the best known one is the Fulbright Program. 

So there are many ways that people can come to the United States to study.  We have education centers here in Vietnam that can provide more information.

VTC:  So do you have any advice for a Vietnamese student to achieve a U.S. scholarship?  And a visa?

Assistant Secretary Jacobs:  Every school has its own financial assistance program and scholarship programs.  Again, the best way to get information is to either look at the web site of the individual school that you’re interested in, and we have two education centers here in Vietnam where we can provide advice about how to go about getting financial assistance.  So there are a lot of resources available.

VTC:  And applying for the visa?

Assistant Secretary Jacobs:  Applying for the visa, again, it’s not that hard.  Once you have all your documents in order and you can show that you can pay for your studies, you simply come in, make an interview, and don’t be nervous, and talk to the consular officer about your plans.

VTC:  Thank you very much for having time for us, and be sure to have a nice time in Vietnam and a good impression about Vietnam.

Assistant Secretary Jacobs:  Thank you very much.