No Fee J Visas

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Visa Application Procedures

U.S. government sponsored exchange visitor (J visa) applicants and their dependents are not required to pay application processing fees if participating in a Department of State, a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), or a Federally funded educational and cultural exchange program which has a program serial number beginning with G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7 printed on Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. U.S. government sponsored exchange visitor (J visa) applicants and their dependents are also not required to pay applicable issuance fees.
Note: Exchange visitors of government-sponsored programs and dependents should not pay any visa application processing fee or applicable issuance fee as it will not be refunded.

1. Send a request for your interview appointment:

Please complete the no-fee visa online inquiry form to request an appointment for your no-fee J visa interview.  The Embassy or Consulate  will respond to your submission and confirm the date and time of your appointment to the email you provided within 24-48 hours, excluding weekends and other American and Vietnamese public holidays.

Please include the following information in your request:

  • Name
  • Visa type
  • Passport number
  • Passport type (Diplomatic/Official/Regular)
  • Intended travel date
  • Local contact number
  • Scanned copy of DS-160 Confirmation page
  • Scanned copy of DS-2019

2. Register for the delivery of your visas:

If your visa is approved, you will register with our designated courier to have your passport delivered to your address. You will have to pay a delivery fee depending on your location. 

If you attend interview at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi:

Register your mailing address with our designated courier and pay the delivery fee directly to the courier’s counter at the Embassy on your interview day.

If you attend interview at the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh city, follow below the steps to register mailing address for document delivery:

    • Go to https://www.ustraveldocs.com/vn/ and select Create Account
    • Provide the required information for New User Registration and select Submit
    • Remember your username and password for log in. If you already have an account, please continue with Step 1
    • After logging in, select New Application / Schedule Appointment
    • Step 1: Select Visa Type -> Nonimmigrant Visa, click Continue
    • Step 2: Select HO CHI MINH CITY, click Continue
    • Step 3: Select Local Visa Program - No Fee.
    • Step 4: Select J No-Fee, click Continue
    • Step 5: Provide personal information and verify all correct personal information before continuing.
    • Step 6: Optional for family members: Select Add By Name (Be sure the dependent’s DS 160 Confirmation is ready), click Continue
    • If you have no dependent to add, click Continue
    • Step 7: Specify Documentation Delivery: Select your preferred delivery option (Please do not select pick-up at Bưu cục Thanh Xuân and VP Cộng Hòa), click Continue. Click Printable Version to print out Transaction Confirmation and bring it to your interview.
    • If you experience technical difficulties, please send an email to support-vietnam@ustraveldocs.com

Visa Renewal By Mail: 

For no-fee J visa applicants, you are qualified for the mail in renewal program if you meet ALL criteria below:

  • You do not need to use your passport within the next eight to ten business days.
  • You are a Vietnamese citizen, or a resident of Vietnam with evidence of your residency in Vietnam.
  • You are physically present in Vietnam.
  • Your previous J visa is still valid or has expired less than 48 months ago.
  • Your SEVIS number is the same as your previously issued visa.
  • You can submit your passport with your prior visa.
  • You did not answer “YES” to any question in Security and Background of the DS-160 application form, and you were not refused a visa at your last interview.

If you are qualified for the mail in renewal program, please print this Interview waiver confirmation page and submit it at any EMS courier location together with the following documents:

  • Passport: Your passport must have at least six months validity and at least two blank pages .
  • Your prior visa.
  • DS-160 confirmation page with barcode, completed and submitted online.
  • One (1) passport-sized photo taken on a white background, with your ears visible, no glasses, within the last six months.
  • Original  DS-2019 form
  • Transcripts (if applicable)
  • A pre-paid envelope for visa pass back.

To view EMS’ mailing guidance, pricing, and courier locations, please click here.