Non-Immigrant Visas

Visa Renewal Announcement

Temporary visitors, returning students/exchange visitors, temporary workers and intra-company transferees (B, F, M, J, H and L visas holders) of Vietnamese nationality can renew their visas by mailing their applications to the US Embassy Hanoi without having to come for a personal interview and fingerprinting. 

Please note that the Embassy reserves the right to request a personal interview and any needed additional information when there is any doubt regarding an applicant’s qualifications for a nonimmigrant visa prior to the issuance of a visa. The Embassy’s point of contact for mailing service is EMS, which has an office at each city and province nationwide.

To avoid unexpected delays, it is suggested that applicants apply at least three weeks before the planned departure date.

Who qualifies for this program?

• Temporary visitors, returning students/exchange visitors, temporary workers and intra-company transferees and their immediate family members (B, F, M, J, H and L visas holders) of Vietnamese nationality
• The applicants must be physically present in Vietnam and applying for a visa in the same classification as their prior nonimmigrant biometric visa (i.e., same visa class and same category (principal or derivative)).
• The applicants apply for a new visa not more than 12 months after the previous visa expired.
• The students must not have left the United States for a break in studies of five months or more unless their activities overseas are related to their course of study.

Please answer the questions in the following check-list to determine whether you are qualified for this program.

What should applicants mail in?

• A passport valid for at least six months beyond the applicant’s intended date of travel. If the previous visa is in an expired passport, please also include that passport.
• The three-page electronic form DS-156 with a valid barcode, completed on http://evisaforms.state.gov. The form must be signed with a picture stapled to the bottom right corner. The picture must be taken within the last six months and on a white background. Please click here for more information on forms and pictures.
• Form DS-157 for male applicants between the age of 16 and 45.
• Both copies (pink and yellow) of the Citibank $131 receipt for visa application fee. This fee can be paid in-person at Citibank or at EMS.

In addition, students and exchange visitors (F, M, J visas holders) should include:

• Form DS-158 
• Original form I-20 or DS-2019.  Form I-20 must have been endorsed on the back by a school official within the past 12 months.
• The student’s transcript

Temporary workers and intra-company transferees (H and L visas holders) should include:

• A copy of an approved Form I-797, Notice of Action

Please use the following checklist for your reference.

Who is the Embassy’s point-of-contact regarding mailing services?

• Applicants should consult EMS at city/provincial post offices.