Non-Immigrant Visas

Visa Procedure

Step 1: Make an Appointment for an interview at Citibank. Applicants need only to show passports and pay US$131 to get an appointment. 

Step 2: Fill Out Visa Application Forms (one copy of each form):

• DS-156: Nonimmigrant Visa Application ( electronic form, must be filled out online)-- all applicants are required to complete and submit the electronic form with barcode.
• DS-157: Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application (this form is non-electronic, can be filled out manually). -- required for all male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45
• DS-158: Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant (this form is non-electronic, it can be filled out manually).  -- required for all applicants seeking student and exchange visitor (F, M, J) visas and their spouse/children (applicants who have I-20 or DS-2019 form)

These forms are also available free of charge at the Consular Section and Citibank.

If more than one person is included in a passport, applications should be submitted for each person traveling.

One passport-size photograph must be stapled or glued to each application.
 
Step 3: Appear for the visa interview as the time set in the appointment slip at the following address:

Consular Section
US Embassy, Hanoi
Rose Garden Tower, 2nd Floor 
170 Ngoc Khanh St., Hanoi

Applicants should bring both parts of the receipt, passport, completed and signed visa forms with a photo, and related documents to the interview. Applicants applying for student and exchange visitor (F, M, J) visas have to show proof of payment of the SEVIS fee if required.

If you have had previous visas or made previous trips to the United States, you should also submit your previous passports.

If for any reason, the applicant cannot come for the visa interview on the date set in the receipt, the applicant can bring the receipt back to Citibank to re-schedule the interview.

Step 4:

• If the Visa is Approved: The Applicant can usually pick-up the visa by the next working day.  Processing time may be longer depending on the personal circumstances of the applicant.
  
• If the Visa is Refused: The Applicant will be given a letter explaining why the visa was refused. Every applicant for a non-immigrant visa (all categories) must qualify under Section 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Please note that only an American consular officer can approve or refuse an application for a U.S. visa; other Vietnamese or American employees at the Embassy have no influence over this decision.

We encourage applicants to apply in their country of residence.