United States government posts have frequently listed Vietnamese citizens’names on government documents incorrectly 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.
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:
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- 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.
Quick Summary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why are Vietnamese names often recorded incorrectly? | Vietnamese naming order (Family Name first, Given Name last) is the reverse of the U.S. system (Given Name first, Family Name last) |
| Who is most at risk? | Applicants filing through USCIS inside the U.S. or at U.S. Consulates in third countries; less common at U.S. Consulates in Vietnam |
| Are Vietnamese diacritics accepted? | No: must be removed; NGUYEN, PHUONG, THI instead of Nguyễn, Phương, Thị |
| What is the First Name for a Vietnamese name? | The Given Name (the last word): e.g. LAN in NGUYEN THI LAN |
| What is the Last Name for a Vietnamese name? | The Family Name (the first word): e.g. NGUYEN in NGUYEN THI LAN |
| Green card has the wrong name: what to do? | File Form I-90, select the DHS error option, submit the current card and proof of correct name |
| Consequences of not correcting it? | Problems obtaining a U.S. driver’s license, Social Security access and other government procedures |
| When to check the name on a visa? | Immediately upon receiving the passport with the visa, before departing for the United States |
Frequently Asked Questions
How should a Vietnamese name be written on a U.S. visa application?
On U.S. immigration forms, Vietnamese names must be converted to U.S. order and all diacritical marks must be removed. For example, NGUYEN THI LAN should be entered as: First Name = LAN, Middle Name = THI, Last Name = NGUYEN. The rule: the last word of the Vietnamese name is the First Name (Given Name); the first word is the Last Name (Family Name); the words in between are the Middle Name.
What should I do if the name on my green card is different from my Vietnamese passport?
File Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) to obtain a corrected card. Select the option stating your current card has incorrect data due to a DHS administrative error. Enclose the current card with incorrect data and provide proof of the correct name, such as a valid Vietnamese passport and a birth certificate with a certified English translation. Processing may take several weeks to several months; you will not have a physical green card during this period.
Is a Vietnamese middle name required on U.S. immigration forms?
Not strictly required, but it is strongly recommended to include it accurately and consistently across all immigration forms to avoid confusion with others who share the same given name and family name. If the middle name appears on the passport, it must be entered correctly. Omitting the middle name on one form while including it on another creates inconsistencies that can cause problems later.
Are Vietnamese diacritical marks accepted on U.S. immigration documents?
No. USCIS, the Department of State and all U.S. immigration forms only support standard Latin characters without diacritics (ASCII). Vietnamese names with accents such as Nguyễn, Phương and Thị must be written as NGUYEN, PHUONG and THI. This is standard practice and does not affect the legal validity of the documents.
Can an incorrect name on a DS-160 affect the outcome of a visa interview?
Possibly. A discrepancy between the name on the application and the passport may prompt questions from the consular officer. In minor cases, the officer will ask for verbal clarification. In more serious cases, processing delays or requests for correction may follow. It is always better to identify and correct a name error in the DS-160 before the interview rather than explaining it to the consular officer in person.
How should a four-word Vietnamese name be entered on U.S. immigration forms?
For a Vietnamese name consisting of four words such as VU THI MAI ANH, both of the last two words should be entered together in the First Name field: First Name = MAI ANH, Middle Name = THI, Last Name = VU. Do not split one of the two given names into the Middle Name field, as this creates an inconsistency with the passport. Always compare the completed form against the passport carefully before submitting.
When should I check the name on my visa and green card?
For a visa: check immediately upon receiving the passport back with the visa affixed, before departing for the United States. If you find an error, contact the Consulate right away to request a correction before you travel. For a green card: check as soon as the card arrives in the mail. If incorrect, file Form I-90 immediately. The longer the error remains uncorrected, the more complications it creates with government procedures, employment verification and identity documents in the United States.
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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.
