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🇻🇳Vietnam
🇺🇸United StatesVN-US

Vietnam to United States visa requirements

Visa required. Vietnamese ordinary passport holders need a B1/B2 visitor visa for tourism or business; Vietnam is not in the Visa Waiver Program. Vietnamese ordinary passport holders need a U.S. visa for ordinary tourism or business travel because Vietnam is not listed as a Visa Waiver Program country. The usual visitor category is B1/B2, applied for with the CEAC DS-160 and normally an interview at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi or Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. The non-petition visitor visa application fee is USD 185. The U.S. reciprocity table for Vietnam lists B1, B2 and B1/B2 visas with no issuance fee, multiple entries, and 12-month validity. A visa does not set the permitted stay: CBP decides admission at the port of entry and the I-94/admission record controls the authorized stay. Current State Department wait-time data shows B1/B2 next-appointment availability of under 0.5 month in Hanoi and 1 month in Ho Chi Minh City, but wait times update monthly and are not guaranteed. Since 1 October 2025, most nonimmigrant visa applicants require an in-person interview, with limited exceptions including qualifying B1/B2 renewals within 12 months of the prior full-validity visa's expiration.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-20
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-20
Visa type
B1/B2 Visitor Visa
Maximum stay
CBP sets the I-94 admit-until date at entry
per entry
Entries
Multiple
from issue date
Visa fee
USD 185 MRV; no Vietnam issuance fee
consular fee only
Processing time
B1/B2 next appointment: Hanoi <0.5 month, HCMC 1 month
standard track
Validity
12 months
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check passport validity
Vietnam is not on CBP's current six-month passport-validity exemption list, so plan for a passport valid at least 6 months beyond the intended U.S. stay, with a blank visa page.
· 6-month rule
/02
Complete DS-160
Fill the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application on CEAC, select Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, and print the confirmation page with barcode.
· DS-160
/03
Pay the USD 185 MRV fee
Pay the non-refundable B visitor visa application fee through the local appointment-payment instructions and keep the receipt if required.
· USD 185
/04
Schedule the appointment
Book the visa appointment for the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi or Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. State Department wait times currently show B1/B2 next availability under 0.5 month in Hanoi and 1 month in Ho Chi Minh City, but this can change.
· appointment
/05
Attend the interview
Bring the DS-160 confirmation, passport, photo if the upload failed, fee receipt if required, and evidence requested by the local instructions. The officer may ask for evidence of trip purpose, funds, and ties outside the United States.
· interview
/06
Check admission record after arrival
If admitted, review the I-94/admission record and leave the United States by the admit-until date; visa validity is not the same as authorized stay.
· I-94
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
Vietnam -> United States · B1/B2 Visitor Visa
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredVietnamese ordinary passport
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Valid at least 6 months beyond intended U.S. stay, with a blank visa page
RequiredDS-160 confirmation
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Printed page with barcode
ConditionalPhoto
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
Upload during DS-160; bring a compliant printed photo if the upload fails
ConditionalMRV fee proof
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
USD 185 payment receipt if required by local appointment instructions
RequiredAppointment confirmation
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City
ConditionalPurpose-of-trip evidence
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Itinerary, invitation, meeting details, or medical documents if relevant
ConditionalFunds evidence
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
Bank, income, or sponsor evidence if requested
ConditionalTies outside the United States
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Employment, study, family, property, or business evidence if requested
RequiredPrior U.S. visas/passports
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Especially important for renewals and visa-history questions
OptionalTravel insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Optional but practical because U.S. healthcare costs are high
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Official sourcesTravel.State.Gov Visa Waiver Program (accessed 2026-06-20)Travel.State.Gov Visitor Visa (accessed 2026-06-20)CEAC DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (accessed 2026-06-20)
Application link included: Travel.State.Gov Visa Waiver Program (accessed 2026-06-20)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
B1/B2 visa application feeUSD 185Non-refundable MRV fee for non-petition visitor visas
Visa issuance feeUSD 0Vietnam reciprocity table lists None for B1, B2 and B1/B2
Visa bondNot listed for VietnamThe May 13, 2026 State Department visa-bond country list does not include Vietnam
Overstay consequencesFuture ineligibility may applyUnlawful presence and status violations can affect future U.S. travel
Total estimateUSD 185 — USD 185incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

B1/B2 interview - Hanoi
< 0.5 month next available appointment
Current State Department global wait-time page; appointment availability changes and is not guaranteed.
B1/B2 interview - Ho Chi Minh City
1 month next available appointment
Current State Department global wait-time page; appointment availability changes and is not guaranteed.
Interview waiver renewal
Case-specific
Limited to qualifying applicants such as B1/B2 renewals within 12 months of the prior full-validity visa's expiration, subject to all criteria and consular discretion.
Administrative processing
Variable
Some cases require additional processing after the interview; timing depends on the case.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Strong ties not demonstrated
A 214(b) refusal can result when the officer is not satisfied that the applicant will leave the United States after a temporary visit.
High
/02
Trip purpose or funds unclear
The officer may ask for evidence of the purpose of travel and ability to pay for the trip.
Medium
/03
Inconsistent application or interview answers
Differences between DS-160 answers, documents, and interview responses can raise credibility concerns.
Medium
/04
Past overstay or status violation
Prior U.S. overstay, removal, or misuse of status can affect eligibility and future visas.
Medium
/05
Other ineligibility or processing issue
Security checks, missing information, or other INA ineligibilities may delay or prevent issuance.
Medium
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
CBP inspection
A visa lets you request admission. CBP decides the actual period of stay and records it in your I-94.
/02
Customs
Declare food, agricultural items, and cash over USD 10,000. Missing declarations can cause fines or seizure.
/03
Connectivity
Airport SIMs are expensive; eSIMs or prepaid plans bought online often work better for short trips.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-06-19
Reviewed by Claude Code
Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.
2026-06-20 · major
Codex checked U.S. visitor visa facts
Codex checked official U.S. sources and corrected Vietnam B1/B2 reciprocity to 12-month multiple-entry validity with no issuance fee, updated B1/B2 wait times, and changed interview-waiver guidance to the current 12-month renewal window.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Vietnamese citizens need a visa for the United States?—
Yes. Vietnam is not listed as a Visa Waiver Program country, so Vietnamese ordinary passport holders need a visa for ordinary tourism, business, or transit through the United States.
How much does a U.S. visitor visa cost?+
How long is a B1/B2 visa valid for Vietnamese citizens?+
How long can I stay in the United States?+
How long is the appointment wait in Vietnam?+
Can I renew without an interview?+
What if my B1/B2 visa is refused?+
Can I work or study on B1/B2?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Vietnam passport

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Compare the Vietnam passport
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