Vietnam sends over 21,000 students to the United States each year (top 10 globally) and has a growing pipeline of healthcare professionals seeking U.S. work visas. Vietnam is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so Vietnamese citizens need a visa for every trip to the U.S. This guide covers the B-2 tourist visa, F-1 student visa, H-1B, the EB-3 pathway for Vietnamese nurses, the Diversity Visa Lottery, and green card options for Vietnamese nationals — including current interview wait times at the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City and the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi.
B-2 Tourist Visa for Vietnamese Citizens
Vietnam is not part of the Visa Waiver Program. Vietnamese nationals must apply for a B-2 tourist visa at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi or the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. B-2 interview wait times in Vietnam are among the longest in Southeast Asia — plan your application at least 6–12 months before your intended travel date.
| Post | B-2 Wait (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh City (Consulate General) | 150–300+ days | Highest demand; book as early as possible |
| Hanoi (Embassy) | 90–200 days | Often shorter than HCMC; worth applying here if closer |
F-1 Student Visa: Vietnam in the Top 10
Vietnam sends over 21,000 students per year to U.S. colleges and universities, making it one of the top 10 source countries for F-1 international students. After graduation, Vietnamese F-1 students can use OPT (12 months) and STEM OPT extension (24 months) to work in the U.S. before transitioning to H-1B or other work visas. F-1 interview wait times in Vietnam are 60–200 days — plan your application at least 8–12 months before your program start date. See our F-1 Student Visa complete guide for full details.
EB-3 Green Card for Vietnamese Nurses: A Growing Pathway
Vietnam has a rapidly growing pipeline of registered nurses seeking U.S. employment-based green cards. The pathway: pass the NCLEX-RN exam (the U.S. nursing licensure exam), obtain a VisaScreen certificate from CGFNS International, find a U.S. hospital or healthcare employer willing to sponsor an EB-3 immigrant petition, and wait for an immigrant visa number to become available. Vietnam has no country-specific backlog in EB-3, which means Vietnamese nurses typically wait 2–5 years for an EB-3 green card — far shorter than many other professional categories.
| EB-3 Nursing Step | Details | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pass NCLEX-RN | U.S. nursing licensure exam — required for RN in all 50 states. Computer adaptive test, 75–145 questions. | 3–12 months preparation |
| 2. VisaScreen / CGFNS | CGFNS International credential evaluation + English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL). Required for most healthcare visas. | 6–12 months |
| 3. Employer PERM + I-140 | U.S. hospital sponsors labor certification (PERM) and files I-140 immigrant petition. Schedule A nurses may skip PERM. | 6–18 months |
| 4. Wait for visa number | Vietnam: no EB-3 backlog. Priority date typically current or within 1–2 years for Rest of World. | 1–2 years |
| 5. Immigrant Visa / Green Card | Apply for immigrant visa at U.S. Consulate HCMC or Hanoi (or I-485 adjustment if already in U.S. on valid status) | 4–8 months |
Green Card for Vietnamese Citizens
Vietnamese nationals have no country-specific backlog in any employment-based green card category (EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3). This is a significant advantage over applicants from India or China, who face decades-long backlogs in the same categories. Vietnam is also typically eligible for the annual Diversity Visa Lottery, which offers 55,000 green cards per year to nationals of underrepresented countries — and it’s completely free to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Vietnamese citizens need a visa to visit the USA? Yes. Vietnam is not part of the Visa Waiver Program. Vietnamese nationals must apply for a B-2 tourist visa at the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City or the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi. Interview wait times are 90–300+ days in 2026 — plan at least 6–12 months ahead.
Can Vietnamese nurses get a US green card? Yes. Vietnam has no country-specific backlog in EB-3 (skilled workers). Vietnamese registered nurses who pass the NCLEX-RN exam, obtain a VisaScreen credential, and secure a U.S. healthcare employer sponsor can get an EB-3 green card in approximately 2–5 years. Nurses in shortage specialties may qualify under Schedule A, which bypasses the PERM labor certification step.
Is Vietnam eligible for the DV Lottery? Yes. Vietnam is typically eligible for the annual Diversity Visa Lottery. Vietnamese nationals should check dvprogram.state.gov each October for the current year’s registration, which is free. High school diploma (or 2 years of qualifying work experience) is the minimum educational requirement.
How long does the B-2 tourist visa take for Vietnamese citizens? Interview appointment wait times are currently 150–300+ days at the Ho Chi Minh City Consulate and 90–200 days at the Hanoi Embassy in 2026. After your interview, additional administrative processing can add 2–8 weeks. Plan your application 8–12 months before your intended travel date.
What work visa options do Vietnamese citizens have for the USA? The most common are H-1B (specialty occupation, lottery-based), O-1 (extraordinary ability, no lottery), and L-1 (company transfer, no lottery). Vietnam has growing representation in U.S. tech, engineering, and healthcare sectors. Vietnamese workers on H-1B who transition to a green card face no country-specific backlog — EB-2 and EB-3 dates for Vietnam are generally current, a major advantage compared to Indian and Chinese colleagues at the same U.S. companies.
