Consular Section

The Consular Section provides a variety of services for American citizens and citizens of other countries. There are four units within the section:

AMERICAN CITIZEN SERVICES
The American Citizen Services (ACS) unit assists American citizens in emergencies, and also provides routine services such as processing applications for passports, issuing Reports of Birth Abroad to U.S. citizen children born in Vietnam, providing overseas voting assistance, giving information on Social Security and VA benefits, distributing income tax forms, notarizing documents, and registering Americans living or traveling in Vietnam.

IMMIGRANT VISA UNIT
The Immigrant Visa (IV) unit processes the visa applications of persons seeking to reside permanently in the United States, including family members of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents, orphans adopted by American citizens, fiancé(e)s of American citizens, and alien workers.

NONIMMIGRANT VISA UNIT
The Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) unit processes the visa applications of Vietnamese nationals and other foreign nationals seeking to travel to the U.S. temporarily for business, pleasure, study, or work.

INFORMATION UNIT
The Information unit handles all public inquiries regarding both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas.  Our e-mail address is HCMCinfo@state.gov.  Please allow three to five working days for a reply.

Hours of Operation
Nonimmigrant and immigrant visa interviews are scheduled by appointment only.  Please note that the Consular Section is closed for business on Vietnamese and American holidays. 

Security Notice
Please do not bring electronic devices (mobile phones, radios, recorders, computers, PDAs, cameras, walkmans, etc.) with you when you come to the U.S. Consulate General.  You and your effects will be screened at the entrance.  Prohibited items are not allowed entry.  Bringing such items will delay your entry and may cause you to miss your appointment.

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.

Warning
Please note that the Consulate General does not deal with so-called visa brokers or visa fixers.  Anyone who claims they can guarantee visa issuance or expedite visa processing is lying.  The Consulate General treats allegations of fraud or malfeasance in visa processing very seriously.  If you have specific information about an incidence of fraud or malfeasance, please contact our Information Unit.