How to make an appointment for a US visa interview in Vietnam

Applying for a U.S. visa in Vietnam starts with booking a visa interview through the official appointment system. Before you can choose an interview date, you must complete the DS-160 form, create an online account, and pay the MRV visa application fee.

In this guide, you'll learn everything you need to know about scheduling a US visa interview in Vietnam, including the required documents, payment methods, and waiting times for appointments.

Table of contents

• U.S. visa interview eligibility in Vietnam
• Documents you need before booking the U.S. visa interview
• Get a U.S. visa photo online!
• Things to do before making a U.S. visa appointment
• How to schedule the US visa interview in Vietnam
• US visa interview locations in Vietnam
• US visa interview waiting times in Vietnam
• What documents should you bring to your U.S. visa interview?
• FAQ

U.S. visa interview eligibility in Vietnam

The U.S. Department of State introduced an important change to the visa appointment process that took effect on September 6, 2025. Under the new rule, applicants for most nonimmigrant visas, including B1/B2, F-1, H-1B, O-1, and J-1 visas, must schedule their interview in their country of nationality or legal residence.

This change is particularly relevant for applicants in Vietnam because it puts an end to the previous practice of individuals from countries with long wait times scheduling interviews in third countries like Vietnam.

• Vietnamese citizens and legal residents: You can schedule your U.S. visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Vietnam.
• Applicants who are not legal residents of Vietnam: You cannot book a visa interview in Vietnam unless Vietnam is your country of nationality or legal residence. Appointments made outside your eligible country may be canceled, and MRV fees cannot be refunded or transferred.

Documents you need before booking the U.S. visa interview

Before scheduling your U.S. visa interview, gather all required documents and information.

You will need:

• DS-160 confirmation page. Complete and submit the online nonimmigrant visa application before booking your interview. Every applicant, including children, must have their own DS-160 confirmation page.
• Valid passport. For most visa types, your passport should remain valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of arrival in the United States.
• Visa category details. Know the specific U.S. visa type you are applying for before creating your appointment.
• Access to the official visa appointment system. You will use this platform to create your account, pay the MRV visa fee, and schedule your interview.
• A compliant U.S. visa photo. Upload a digital photo that meets U.S. visa requirements with your DS-160 application. You should also bring one or two printed 2 × 2 inch photos with a white background, taken within the last six months, to your visa interview.

Get a U.S. visa photo online!

Your US visa application from Vietnam must include a photo that meets the official U.S. Department of State requirements. With Visafoto, a trusted online photo editing service, you can create a professional-quality visa photo from home in just a few minutes, with no studio visit required. It only takes two simple steps:

1. Upload a photo taken in good natural light to the Visafoto tool below.
2. Select United States and Visa as the document type.

Visafoto automatically adjusts your photo to match the official specifications, including the correct size, background, head position, and cropping. You'll receive both a digital file for your DS-160 application and a print-ready version for your visa interview.

The service can also improve image quality when needed. It enhances lighting, sharpens the image, increases resolution, and corrects framing if your photo was taken too close. You can even scan or photograph an existing passport photo with your phone, and Visafoto will optimize it for use. If your original photo already meets the official standards, Visafoto leaves it unchanged.

Original photo:

Edited by Visafoto:

Visafoto has a 99.7% acceptance rate and has produced over 1,000,000 approved photos. The service supports photo requirements for 150+ countries and 15,000+ document types, including U.S. visas, U.S. passports, Green Cards, OCI cards, and many others. If your photo is rejected, you'll receive a full refund. Customer support is available 24/7.

Things to do before making a U.S. visa appointment

Here’s what you need to know about each step, with specific details for Vietnam.

Step 1: Complete the DS-160 application

Fill out the online DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application at ceac.state.gov. After submitting the form, download and print the confirmation page with the barcode. You must bring this page to your visa interview.

For detailed instructions, see our guide on completing the DS-160 form correctly.

Important for Vietnamese applicants: If you hold the blue-cover Vietnamese passport issued on or after July 1, 2022, enter your place of birth (city or province and country) in the DS-160 form. Your passport should also include this information. If it does not, bring your original birth certificate to the interview.

Step 2: Create your visa appointment account

Go to the official U.S. visa appointment website for Vietnam. Select Nonimmigrant Visa, then choose Sign Up Now or New User to create your account.

Step 3: Pay the MRV visa application fee

You must pay the MRV visa fee before you can schedule your interview. The appointment calendar becomes available only after your payment has been processed.

The fee depends on your visa category:

• USD 185 for tourist and business (B1/B2), student (F, M), and exchange visitor (J) visas.
• USD 205 for temporary work visas, including H, L, O, P, Q, and R.

For the full list of U.S. visa fees, see this guide.

How to pay the U.S. visa fee in Vietnam

On the portal, choose one of the available payment methods:

• QR code through a banking app or e-wallet
• VietQR via mobile banking
• Cash at VNPOST/EMS locations
• Mastercard debit or credit card in USD (additional fees may apply)

After payment, wait for your receipt to become active in the appointment system. This usually takes up to one business day. Processing is available Monday through Friday, excluding U.S. and Vietnamese public holidays.

Save your payment reference number. You will need it to schedule your interview and may be asked to provide it later in the application process. Once your receipt is active, sign in to your account and continue to schedule your appointment.

The MRV fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. It remains valid for 365 days from the payment date. If you do not book an appointment within that period, you must pay the fee again.

For detailed payment instructions, see the Bank and Payment Options page on the official U.S. visa appointment website for Vietnam.

How to schedule the US visa interview in Vietnam

After submitting your DS-160 form and paying the MRV fee, you can book your interview through the official U.S. visa appointment system. Follow these steps to complete your appointment:

1. Log in to your account. Visit the official U.S. visa appointment website. If you do not have an account, select Nonimmigrant Visa, then click Sign Up Now or New User to register.
2. Select the applicant.
3. Choose your visa category.
4. Enter your DS-160 confirmation number. Make sure the number matches the one on your DS-160 confirmation page.
5. Confirm your MRV payment. Your appointment becomes available only after the system activates your payment. Keep your payment receipt or CGI reference number, as you may need it during the booking process.
6. Select an interview location. Choose either the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi or the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.
7. Choose an available date. Pick a convenient interview date and time from the available options. Appointment availability changes regularly, so reserve your slot when suitable dates appear.
8. Confirm your appointment. Review your information and submit your booking. The system will generate an appointment confirmation.
9. Download and print the appointment confirmation. Bring both your appointment confirmation and your DS-160 confirmation page to your visa interview.

US visa interview locations in Vietnam

The United States conducts visa interviews at two locations in Vietnam: the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. Here, you'll find their contact information.

Where can I apply for a US tourist visa in Vietnam? Applicants for nonimmigrant visas can generally choose either office when scheduling an appointment. Immigrant and fiancé(e) (K) visa interviews are processed only at the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.

U.S. Embassy in Hanoi:

• Address: 7 Lang Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Consular section: Rose Garden Tower, 2nd Floor, 170 Ngoc Khanh Street, Hanoi
• Phone: +84 24 3850 5000
• Email: VNEmbassyWebMaster@state.gov
• Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City:

• Address: 4 Le Duan Boulevard, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• Phone: +84 28 3520 4200
• Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

US visa interview waiting times in Vietnam

The wait time for a U.S. visa appointment in Vietnam varies based on demand, staffing levels, and visa category. Interview availability changes throughout the year, so check the latest estimates before planning your application.

As of August 2026:

• U.S. Embassy in Hanoi: the next available visa appointment is usually within a few days to about 15 days.
• U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City: appointments are typically available within a few days to about 1 month.

Important: These estimates show only the wait for the next available interview appointment. They do not include any additional time needed for administrative processing after your interview.

For the most up-to-date information, check the official Global Visa Wait Times page and select Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Appointment availability can change due to seasonal demand, staffing, or operational updates. Your visa category also affects waiting times. For example, group appointments for eight or more travelers with the same purpose of travel are available only at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi.

What documents should you bring to your U.S. visa interview?

Bring all required documents to your interview so the consular officer can review your application and confirm your eligibility. Missing documents may delay your case or require a follow-up appointment.

Prepare the following:

• your DS-160 confirmation page with the barcode;
• a valid passport;
• proof of MRV fee payment;
• your appointment confirmation page;
• one recent passport photo that meets U.S. visa requirements;
• any supporting documents required for your visa category, as described earlier in this guide.

If you are applying for a child, also bring the child's passport, appointment confirmation, MRV payment receipt, compliant passport photo, and any required civil documents, such as a birth certificate or custody records, if applicable.

We hope your U.S. visa application goes smoothly and wish you success at your interview!

FAQ

Do children need to attend the US visa interview?

Yes. Since September 2, 2025, most applicants under 18, including children younger than 14, must attend a U.S. B1/B2 visa interview unless they qualify for a limited interview waiver. A parent or legal guardian must accompany the child to the embassy or consulate. Bring the child's birth certificate, the parents' passports or visas, and any other required supporting documents.

Can I change my interview date after booking?

Yes. Sign in to your account on the official U.S. visa appointment portal and select the option to reschedule your appointment. Choose a new available date and confirm the change. Keep in mind that appointment availability varies, and the number of reschedules may be limited.

Can I apply for a US visa in Vietnam if I’m not a Vietnamese citizen?

Usually, no. Since September 2025, most nonimmigrant visa applicants must attend their interview in their country of nationality or legal residence. If you are not a Vietnamese citizen or legal resident, you generally cannot schedule your visa interview in Vietnam. Limited exceptions apply to certain diplomatic and official visa categories.

What happens to my MRV fee if I cancel my interview?

The MRV visa fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. You will not receive a refund if you cancel your appointment, miss your interview, or your visa application is refused.

Your payment remains valid for 365 days from the payment date, so you can reschedule your appointment during that period without paying again. Once the receipt expires, you must pay a new MRV fee.

Can I renew my US visa in Vietnam without an interview?

In most cases, no. Since September 2025, the United States has significantly limited interview waivers for nonimmigrant visas, including B1/B2, F, M, J, H, L, and O visa categories.

Limited exceptions remain for:

• diplomatic and official visas;
• applications for U.S. B1/B2 visa renewal in Vietnam that are still valid or expired within the last 12 months. Applicants must have been at least 18 years old when the previous visa was issued and must have never had a U.S. visa refusal.

Even if you meet these requirements, a consular officer may still require you to attend an interview.