Press Release

March 28, 2008

U.S. Embassy Introduces Online Appointment System for Nonimmigrant Visas

(Hanoi – March 28)  The U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City are pleased to announce a new online appointment system for people wishing to apply for Nonimmigrant Visas.  Nonimmigrant visas include those issued to students, businesspeople, and visitors or tourists.  This new internet-based system offers an easier, more convenient way for applicants to schedule a visa interview appointment. It is available now at http://hanoi.usembassy.gov for applicants applying at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and at http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov for applicants applying at the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.

Effective Saturday March 29, 2008, all appointments for nonimmigrant visa interviews must be made online through the Embassy or Consulate General websites. Citibank will no longer be authorized to schedule appointments.  
 
The new web-based appointment system is free of charge, and is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day, so that applicants can complete the process at their convenience. Please note that although the online appointment service is free, applicants must continue to pay the $131 nonrefundable nonimmigrant visa application fee at Citibank in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

Under this improved system, applicants may now schedule interview appointments as much as a month in advance, and can choose any available appointment date and time. If applicants need to change their appointment date or time later, they can do so online without contacting the Embassy or the Consulate General.  The appointment website also provides information about each visa category.

More information about the visa process can be found on the U.S. Embassy Hanoi’s website at http://hanoi.usembassy.gov or on the U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City’s website at http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov

###