Many Vietnamese citizens face challenges when their names are listed incorrectly on U.S. immigration documents such as visas and Green Cards. This often happens because the naming style also known as the Vietnamese passport name order follows the format:
Given/ Surname name → Middle name → Given name,
which differs from the Western order of Given/ Surname name → First name → Middle name.
Why Name Order Errors Happen?
While the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City and the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi usually handle names correctly, errors can occur when applications are processed by other Embassies or Consulates, or by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services inside the United States.
These errors may cause inconsistencies between your passport, visa, and Green Card, which can lead to complications with government records, employment, or travel documents.
What You Should Do After Receiving Your Visa or Green Card?
- Check immediately after issuance to ensure your name appears in the correct order.
- Request a correction before traveling if the names are listed incorrectly.
- After arrival in the U.S., review all immigration documents carefully, especially before applying for a driver’s license or social security number.
If Your Green Card Name Is Incorrect
If your Green Card lists your name in the wrong order, you should file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card and select the option:
“My existing card has incorrect data because of a DHS error.”
Include your current Green Card and evidence of your correct name. Note that this process can take many months, and you will not have your Green Card during this period, so plan ahead for travel or identification purposes.
Get Legal Help for Name Order Corrections
If you have experienced an incorrect name issue related to the Vietnam passport name order, contact Enterline and Partners for assistance at info@enterlinepartners.com and speak with one of our U.S. immigration lawyers in Ho Chi Minh City, Manila and Taipei.
For more about government processing and record errors, you can also check out:
- What is a Transportation/Boarding Foil?
- “Class A or B (TB) required attn of ASPHS at POE” Annotation
- USCIS May Collect Social Media for Online Visa Application
- F4 Category Visa Waiting Time
- Stay updated with U.S. Visas News for the latest changes and policy updates.
ENTERLINE & PARTNERS CONSULTING
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Office
146C7 Nguyen Van Huong St, Thao Dien Ward,
District 2, Thu Duc City
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 933 301 488
Email: info@enterlinepartners.com
Facebook: Enterline & Partners – Dịch vụ Thị thực và Định cư Hoa Kỳ
YouTube: @EnterlineAndPartnersConsulting
Website: http://enterlinepartners.com
Manila, Philippines Office
LKG Tower 37th Floor
6801 Ayala Avenue
Makati City, Philippines 1226
Tel: +63 917 543 7926
Email: info@enterlinepartners.com
Facebook: Enterline and Partners Philippines
Website: https://enterlinepartners.com/language/en/welcome/
Copyright 2025. This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This article may be changed with or without notice. The opinions expressed in this article are those of Enterline and Partners only.


