United States government posts have frequently listed Vietnamese citizens’ names on government documents in a different order such as on visas and Form I-551 (“Green Cards”.) This often happens because Vietnamese passports list names in the order of last name (or “family name” or “surname”) followed by the middle name and then the first name. This traditional naming style can cause significant confusion regarding the proper Vietnamese visa name order.
Moreover, some Vietnamese individuals have more than one middle or first name, resulting in four names represented on a passport, which further complicates the data entry for U.S. officials.
Regional Accuracy: Why Where You Apply Matters
For U.S. government posts in Vietnam, such as the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City and the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, this is usually not a problem. Immigrant and nonimmigrant visas issued by these offices are normally correct because the consular officers have a thorough understanding of Vietnamese naming conventions.
However, the Vietnamese visa name order might become an issue if:
- A visa applicant is applying at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in another country.
- An applicant is applying for immigration benefits with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) within the United States.
The Critical Importance of Correcting Name Errors on a Visa
It is important that impacted Vietnamese citizens check the visa once it is issued to ensure that the names are listed correctly and to request any errors be fixed before traveling to the United States.
If the Vietnamese visa name order is incorrect, issues could arise after arrival in the U.S. when dealing with government agencies for tasks such as:
- Applying for a U.S. driver’s license.
- Accessing Social Security benefits.
How to Fix Incorrect Names Listed on a Green Card
It is important to check any notices or documents that an applicant receives from the USCIS and immediately request a correction, if needed. For example, if an applicant receives a Green Card with the names incorrectly listed, he or she should immediately file a Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.
If you have experienced an incorrect name issue related to a Vietnamese name order on a passport, U.S. visa or Green Card, 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.
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Copyright 2026. 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.
