After your fiance visa petition is approved by the USCIS in the United States, it is forwarded to the US embassy for final processing.
Generally, the US embassy will contact your fiance when his or her case file is received, a case number is assigned, and the embassy is ready to proceed.
Consular processing from your perspective consists of gathering the original (and copy) of required supporting documents; preparing and submitting the Department of State application forms along with the requested documents; paying the visa and medical examination fees; attending the medical examination; and finally, attending the consular interview.
The steps required differ from country to country.
Please find the consular processing package and procedures from the US consulate in Ho Chi Minh City which is in charge of all fiance visa cases for Vietnam. I try to keep this information as current as possible, but you should always check with the U.S. embassy web site for the most up-to-date information.
CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Consular Section-Immigrant Visa Unit 4 Le Duan Blvd., District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
INSTRUCTION PACKAGE FOR K VISA APPLICANTS
As soon as you have received this package, please complete and submit the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-160. Print out and send the confirmation page of the Form DS-160, together with the completed Form DS-2001, visa photos, and copy of passport for each applicant in the family to our office at the above address.
Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-160 & Form DS-2001: Complete in English the Forms DS-160 and DS-2001 for each applicant listed as an eligible traveling applicant.
Visa Photo: Two (2) full face color photographs for each applicant. Write your name and date of birth on the back of each of your photos. You may find more information on page 5 for photo specifications and a list of photo shops in Ho Chi Minh City.
Passport: One (1) copy of passport for each applicant. Valid passports are required for all applicants including children. The passport must have at least an eight month validity beyond the issuance date of the visa.
We will schedule an interview approximately 1-3 months after receiving the forms. As soon as an appointment is set, we will send the Appointment Letter to you. Appointment Letter indicates the date and time the applicant must appear at the Consulate General for the visa interview, as well as a link to our website with instruction on how to obtain the medical examination and information on document requirements.
Please note that your application may be terminated if you fail to pursue the application within one year of the date the initial Instruction Package was sent. If you wish to delay in processing your case, submit your inquiry via inquiry form on our website at https://vn.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/fiancee-visa/
Step 2: While waiting for an interview to be scheduled, applicants should prepare the following documents (copy and original). All documents not in English or Vietnamese must be accompanied by a certified English translation, which include a statement by the translator stating “Translation is accurate” and “Translator is competent to translate”. We will return the original documents after the interview.
Fees: Fees include the visa application MRV fee and the medical examination fee. You will have more information relating to the vaccinations and medical examination when you receive an appointment package for interview. Note: For re-affirmed cases, no MRV fee is required.
- Visa application MRV fee (adult and children), US$240/person is paid at Citibank in cash.
- Medical examination fee:
- For Check-up: US$130/adult and US$100/child (15 years old and under).
- Vaccination: Depends on age and the required vaccinations.
Visa Photo: Two (2) full face color photographs for each applicant. Write your name and date of birth on the back of each of your photos. You may find more information on page 5 for photo specifications and a list of photo shops in Ho Chi Minh City.
Identification (ID) Card: Copy and original.
Passport: Copy and original: Valid passports are required for all applicants including children. The passport must have at least an eight month validity beyond the issuance date of the visa.
Household Registration Book: Copy and original.
Birth Certificates: Copy and original birth certificates of the petitioner and each person listed on the application are required. In case you do not have the petitioner’s birth certificate, the officer will review the case and provide guidance at the interview. If you or any children were adopted, you must submit an official adoption decree.
Marital Status Documents:
- Copy and original: Marriage Certificate for spousal (K-3) visa applicants.
- Copy and original: Applicant’s evidence of the legal termination of any prior marriages: Divorce Decree or Death Certificate of ex-spouse, if applicable.
- Copy and original: Petitioner’s evidence of the legal termination of any prior marriages: Divorce Decree or Death Certificate of ex-spouse, if applicable.
Original Justice Record Check #2: Issued within the past year by Department of Justice office in the district where you currently reside, or at your official residence as registered in your household registration Book (Ho Khau) are required for each visa applicant aged 16 years or older.
Original Foreign Police Certificates (if any): Foreign Police Certificate(s) for persons aged 16 and over from any country OUTSIDE of Vietnam in which you resided for at least six months since age of 16 or older. Further information about foreign police certificates, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html.
Court and Prison Records: Copy and original (if any): Persons who have been convicted of a crime must obtain a certified copy of each court record and of any prison record, regardless of the fact that they may have benefited subsequently from an amnesty, pardon, or other act of clemency. Court records should include complete information regarding the circumstances surrounding the crime of which the applicant was convicted, and the disposition of the case, including sentence or other penalty or fine imposed.
Military Records: Copy (if any): Persons who have served in the military forces of any country must obtain one copy of their military record. Further information, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html.
Evidence of Support: The petitioner must submit a complete original signed Form I-134, Affidavit of Support for his/her principle applicant and one copy for each member of the applicant’s family who will be travelling to the U.S. as a derivative in the petition filed for the applicant. This form is also available at: http://www.uscis.gov. The original form I-134 must be accompanied by records of the petitioner’s income for the most recent tax year. The preferred record of income is the Complete Income Tax Return Transcript from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (formerly IRS Form 1722). However, W-2s and a certified copy of a complete federal tax return (Form 1040), including all pertinent schedules, might be acceptable in some cases.
When applicable, joint sponsor must include all of the documents listed above, plus proof of immigration status such as a photocopy of his/her U.S. Birth Certificate, U.S. Passport, Naturalization Certificate, or Lawful Permanent Resident Card. The officer will make the decision whether a joint sponsor will be accepted at the interview.
Evidence of Relationship: You should prepare to present relevant documentation to establish the bona-fides of your relationship with the petitioner and with your derivative family member(s) (if any).
- Please label, itemize all material in chronological order and separate them into two groups: before and after engagement/marriage.
- Evidence may include but is not limited to photos, correspondence, phone bills, and other relevant items to assist in demonstrating to the consular officer the credibility of the relationship with the petitioner. Please note that you should remove your photos from albums and bring your loose photos only.
- Evidence of relationship between family members may consist of old household registration book (ho khau), old school transcripts (hoc ba), old photos, hospital birth records, baptism book, etc.
PHOTO SHOPS IN HO CHI MINH CITY
The following shops can make U.S. immigrant visa photos to the required specifications. This list has been prepared to assist visa applicants, applicants are not required to obtain their photos from any of these shops.
NHỮNG TIỆM CHỤP HÌNH TẠI TP. HỒ CHÍ MINH
Những tiệm chụp hình dưới đây có thể chụp đúng theo quy định của chúng tôi. Danh sách này chỉ mang tính chất tham khảo, đương đơn không bắt buộc phải sử dụng những tiệm chụp hình này.
§ | Photo Lập | 86 Nguyễn Huệ, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Tel: 08-3829 3640 |
§ | Đống Đa | 66A Nguyễn Huệ, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Tel: 08-3829 2595 |
§ | Thế Quân | 4D Lê Lợi, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Tel: 08-3822 2035 |
§ | Minh Quyên | 40B Trần Cao Vân, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Tel: 08-3824 4654 |
§ | Lan Anh | 268 Hoàng Văn Thụ, Quận Tân Bình, Hồ Chí Minh City; Tel: 08-3844 2229 |
§ | Mạnh Đan | 448 Điện Biên Phủ, Quận 10, Hồ Chí Minh; Tel: 08-3833 2794 |
APPOINTMENT PACKAGE FOR K VISA APPLICANTS
Your K visa case is now ready for an interview at the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. In order for us to serve you better, please read our instructions and prepare your documents carefully. If you have further questions, you may visit our website or submit your inquiry via inquiry form on our website at: https://vn.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/fiancee-visa/.
- If for any reason you are unable to attend the interview as scheduled, you should submit a request to reschedule a new interview appointment. In case you wish to delay the processing of your case a year or more, please submit a request for the delay twice per year, and let us know when you are ready for an interview. Your application may be terminated if you fail to pursue the application within a year from the date the interview letter was sent or from your last contact with the Consulate. The request must be made via our inquiry form on our website at: https://vn.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/fiancee-visa/.
- There is no assurance in advance that a visa will be issued. Therefore, you are advised not to make any travel arrangements for departure from Vietnam, dispose of your property, give up your job, or buy the airline ticket until you have received your visa. If you have been approved for the visa immediately following the interview, the visa will be delivered via courier service within two weeks. All immigrant visa applicants must use the courier service. Picking up visas in person will no longer be allowed. The delivery fee is either 77,000 VND or 165,000 VND, depending upon your shipping address. The fee is payable only in cash VND at the EMS counter in the Consular lobby. Occasionally, visas are not issued immediately due to administrative processing or because of ineligibilities.
- You must have both the original and a copy for the documents listed below. We will return the original documents after the interview. All documents not in English or Vietnamese must be accompanied by a certified English translation, which include a statement by the translator stating “Translation is accurate” and “Translator is competent to translate”. In some special cases, you may also be requested to submit translations for Vietnamese documents.
- Penalties for Misrepresentation: Please keep in mind that your signature on any visa application form is your guarantee that all information you provide is true and correct. You are personally and legally responsible, even if a travel agent or someone else prepares documents for you. Any fraudulent documents or misleading statements may result in your permanent ineligibility for any future visa.
- Do not send any documents to our office before your interview. You will submit these documents on your appointment date.
You must arrange the copies of your documents in order as listed below and separate all the original documents from the copies. Each individual should have one set of required documents. Failure to present satisfactory documentation may delay or prevent issuance of your visa.
1. Appointment Letter: Upon your arrival to our office, please present this letter to the Guard for entrance and to our consular staff to get your queuing ticket.
2. Visa Application Fee: Duplicate receipt of MRV (Machine Readable Visa) application fee issued by Citibank. The MRV fee is US $240 for each applicant regardless of age. Present your appointment letter, pay the fee and receive a receipt in duplicate at the Citibank office located at: Sun Wah Tower, Ground floor, 115 Nguyen Hue, District 1, HCMC. Citibank is open from 8:30– 11:30 and 13:00 – 15:30, Monday through Friday. The Bank only accepts US dollars in cash.
Note: For reaffirmed cases, no MRV fee is required.
3. Visa Photo: Two (2) full face color photographs for each applicant. Write your name and date of birth on the back of each of your photos. You may find more information on page 7 for photo specifications and a list of photo shops in Ho Chi Minh City.
4. Visa Application Forms DS-156, DS-156K, and DS-230 Part I: Please note that the DS-160 form is NOT acceptable for K visa applicants. Complete in English the following forms for each applicant listed in the Appointment Letter. Sign all pages except the form DS-156K; you will have to sign this page in the presence of a Consular officer on your interview date.
- DS-156 (in duplicate): You must complete the EVAF DS-156 form online, print 2 copies of the form and barcode page and paste one visa photo on each completed form DS-156.
- DS-156K (single copy): For K-1 principal visa applicants only.
- DS-230 Part I (single copy): Please note that for item #13, provide the address and phone number(s) where you are actually residing, not addresses once used for household registration.
6. Passport: Copy and original. The passport must have at least an eight month validity beyond the date of visa issuance. One photocopy is required for each applicant, including children who are listed in their parents’ passport.
7. Household Registration Book: Copy and original.
8. Applicant’s Birth Certificate: Copy and original. If you or any children were adopted, you must submit an official adoption decree.
9. Petitioner’s Birth Certificate: Copy and original. In case you do not have the petitioner’s birth certificate, the officer will review the case and provide guidance at the interview.
10. Marital Status Documents:
- Copy and original: Marriage Certificate for spousal (K-3) visa applicants.
- Copy and original: Applicant’s evidence of the legal termination of any prior marriages: Divorce Decree or Death Certificate of ex-spouse, if applicable. Please arrange in chronological order.
- Copy and original: Petitioner’s evidence of the legal termination of any prior marriages: Divorce Decree or Death Certificate of ex-spouse, if applicable. Please arrange in chronological order.
11. Original Justice Record Check #2: Issued within the past year by Department of Justice office in the district where you currently reside, or at your official residence as registered in your household registration book (Ho Khau) is required for each visa applicant aged 16 years or older. Further information about Vietnamese police certificates, please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html
12. Original Foreign Police Certificate: Foreign Police Certificate(s) for persons aged 16 years and over from any country OUTSIDE of Vietnam in which you resided for at least six months since age of 16 years or older. Further information about foreign police certificates, please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html
13. Court and Prison Records: Certified copy and original (if any): Persons who have been convicted of a crime must obtain a certified copy of each court record and of any prison record, regardless of the fact that they may have benefited subsequently from an amnesty, pardon, or other act of clemency. Court records should include complete information regarding the circumstances surrounding the crime of which the applicant was convicted, and the disposition of the case, including sentence or other penalty or fine imposed.
14. Military Record: Copy (if any): Persons who have served in the military forces of any country must obtain one copy of their military record. Further information, please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html
15. Medical Examination Results: Please do not open the envelope provided by the Panel Physician.
There are two steps that you need to follow:
Step 1: Medical examination at our designated Panel Physicians. You MUST visit the Panel Physician first before going to the Quarantine Service of HCMC for vaccination. Results are complete in approximately two days. You must bring your Appointment Letter, passport, two standard visa photos and the fee for your medical examination processing. The fee for each applicant older than 15 years is US$130 and for each child 15 years and under is US$100. Cho Ray hospital accepts fees in Vietnam Dong only. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) accepts fees in Vietnam Dong or US dollars. Below are the addresses of our Panel Physicians:
Cho Ray Hospital (CRH), Visa Medical Unit, 201B Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Ward 12, District 5, HCMC, Tel: (84-8) 3856 5703 Website: http://www.choray.vn/
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) 1B Pham Ngoc Thach Street, District 1, HCMC, Tel: (84-8) 38222058/38222057/38222061 Website: http://www.iom.int.vn/joomla/index.php
Please note that the examining physician will discuss the medical results with you and any follow-up treatment required. You must perform any follow up your treatment at the Panel Physician’s office.
Step 2: Vaccination: After having completed the medical examination, applicants are required to receive vaccinations. Fees for vaccinations depend on your age and the required vaccinations. Bring all of your vaccination records with you to the Quarantine Service of HCMC at 40 Nguyen Van Troi Street, Phu Nhuan District, HCMC, Tel: (84-8) 3844-5306 to receive your vaccinations.
16. Evidence of Support: The petitioner must submit a complete original signed Form I-134, Affidavit of Support for his/her principle applicant and one copy for each member of the applicant’s family who will be travelling to the U.S. as a derivative in the petition filed for the applicant. This form is also available at: http://www.uscis.gov . The original Form I-134 must be accompanied by records of the petitioner’s income for the most recent tax year. The preferred record of income is the Complete Income Tax Return Transcript from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (formerly IRS Form 1722). However, W-2s and a copy of a complete federal tax return (Form 1040), including all pertinent schedules, might be acceptable in some cases.
When applicable, joint sponsor must include all of the documents listed above, plus proof of immigration status such as a photocopy of his/her U.S. Birth Certificate, U.S. Passport, Naturalization Certificate, or Lawful Permanent Resident Card. The officer will make the decision as to whether a joint sponsor will be accepted at the interview.
17. Evidence of Relationship: You should prepare to present relevant documentation to establish the bona-fides of your relationship with the petitioner and your derivative family member(s) (if any).
-
- Please label and itemize all material in chronological order and separate them into two groups: before and after engagement / marriage
- Evidence may include, but is not limited to photos, correspondence, phone bills, and other relevant items to assist in demonstrating to the consular officer the credibility of the relationship with the petitioner. Please note that you should remove your photos from albums and bring your loose photos only
- Evidence of relationship between family members may consist of old household registration book (ho khau), old school transcripts (hoc ba), old photos, hospital birth records, baptism book, etc.
PHOTO SHOPS IN HO CHI MINH CITY
The following shops can make U.S. immigrant visa photos to the required specifications. This list has been prepared to assist visa applicants, applicants are not required to obtain their photos from any of these shops.
NHỮNG TIỆM CHỤP HÌNH TẠI TP. HỒ CHÍ MINH
Những tiệm chụp hình dưới đây có thể chụp đúng theo quy định của chúng tôi. Danh sách này chỉ mang tính chất tham khảo, đương đơn không bắt buộc phải sử dụng những tiệm chụp hình này.
§ | Photo Lập | 86 Nguyễn Huệ, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Tel: 08-3829 3640 |
§ | Đống Đa | 66A Nguyễn Huệ, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Tel: 08-3829 2595 |
§ | Thế Quân | 4D Lê Lợi, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Tel: 08-3822 2035 |
§ | Minh Quyên | 40B Trần Cao Vân, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Tel: 08-3824 4654 |
§ | Lan Anh | 268 Hoàng Văn Thụ, Quận Tân Bình, Hồ Chí Minh City; Tel: 08-3844 2229 |
§ | Mạnh Đan | 448 Điện Biên Phủ, Quận 10, Hồ Chí Minh; Tel: 08-3833 2794 |