U.S. Visa Services

Many Vietnamese applicants are denied U.S. visas despite careful preparation. The reason is often not a lack of documents, but rather a lack of understanding of the U.S. Consulate’s evaluation standards and immigration regulations. First Consulting Group – an immigration law firm with more than 23 years of experience in U.S. visa services – will provide a detailed analysis of the different U.S. visa categories, along with special situations that require a legal strategy from the very beginning.

U.S. Non-Immigrant Visa Services – Details from First Consulting Group

Many visa refusals occur not because applicants lack documents, but because they do not meet the standard of “non-immigrant intent”. A key factor that consular officers evaluate is the applicant’s level of ties to Vietnam, including family, financial/economic status, career, and social connections. This is also why many people seek U.S. visa services—to receive guidance on building a strong application and preparing focused answers for the visa interview.

B1/B2 U.S. Tourist Visa Services

B1/B2 is a U.S. non-immigrant visa that allows foreign nationals to enter the United States for a short period for specific purposes:

• B1 Visa (Business): For short business trips such as attending conferences, negotiating contracts, visiting factories, or participating in business activities that are not paid by a U.S. source.
• B2 Visa (Tourism): For tourism, vacations, visiting relatives, medical treatment, or participating in social/charitable activities.

In practice, these two visa types are often issued together as B1/B2, allowing travelers to flexibly carry out both purposes during the same trip.

U.S. Visa Services F-1 (Student), J-1 (Exchange)

The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for international students who wish to study full-time at educational institutions in the United States that are recognized by the U.S. government (SEVP-approved schools). It is the most common visa type for international students in the U.S.

Scope of application

• High school (from grade 9 and above)
• College, University
• Master’s, PhD
• Vocational schools (Vocational School)
• Language programs (ESL – English as a Second Language) if studying more than 18 hours per week

The J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for individuals participating in cultural and educational exchange programs approved by the U.S. Department of State. Its main purpose is to promote cultural and knowledge exchange between the United States and other countries.

Scope of application

• Academic participants: exchange students, research scholars, visiting lecturers, specialists, short-term scholars
• Internship and vocational training: student interns, trainees who have graduated, summer work students
• Education and cultural programs: secondary school teachers, camp counselors, au pairs living with American host families
• Medical and healthcare: medical interns, foreign physicians practicing temporarily
• Special programs: government officials, international leadership program participants, secondary school exchange students

Burden of Proof Lies with the Applicant

Temporary visa categories such as B1/B2 (tourism, business, visiting relatives), F-1 (student), J-1 (cultural exchange), and L-1 (intra-company transfer) are often perceived as less complex. In reality, however, this group has one of the highest refusal rates at the U.S. Consulate in Vietnam, especially for first-time applicants.

In Vietnam, visa interviews typically focus on the applicant’s personal background, employment, and ability to return after the trip. If the application is not prepared with the right focus, it can easily be considered high risk. Choosing a reputable U.S. visa service helps applicants clearly identify their strengths and weaknesses and develop a presentation strategy that aligns with the Consulate’s adjudication criteria.

U.S. Immigrant Visa Services from First Consulting Group

How to Apply for a U.S. Visa: Immigrant Petition Process

Unlike temporary visas (primarily adjudicated by the U.S. Department of State), immigrant visa applications must go through three agencies:

1. USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services): Reviews and approves the immigrant petition
2. NVC (National Visa Center): Collects civil documents before the interview
3. U.S. Consulate: Conducts the interview and issues the visa after completing administrative processing

U.S. Visa Services Under Common Immigration Categories

1. Family-Sponsored Immigration Visa Services

Includes two main groups:

• Immediate relatives: Spouse, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens (no annual visa quota)
• Family preference categories: Siblings, unmarried children over 21, married children of U.S. citizens; spouse and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents (subject to annual visa quotas according to the monthly Visa Bulletin)

2. Investment-Based Immigration Visa Consultation

• EB-5: Visa for foreign investors who invest at least USD 800,000 – 1,050,000 in a job-creating project in the United States. Requires the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. Applicants receive a 2-year conditional green card, which can later be converted to a permanent green card.
• EB-1C (Green Card for Multinational Executives): Green card for executives or senior managers of multinational companies. Applicants must have worked for at least 1 year within the last 3 years at a related foreign company. No labor certification (PERM) is required.

Standard U.S. Immigration Process – Complete Step-by-Step

1. For applicants outside the United States

• After Form I-130/I-140 is approved and a visa number becomes available, the case is transferred to the NVC
• The NVC collects civil documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, police clearance), and forms DS-260, I-864
• Interview at the U.S. Consulate in the applicant’s country of residence
• If approved, the applicant receives an immigrant visa to enter the U.S., and the green card will be mailed to the U.S. address

2. For applicants legally present in the United States

• File Form I-485 directly with USCIS
• In some cases, it may be filed concurrently with Form I-130/I-140
• After filing I-485: biometrics appointment at a USCIS-designated center is required
• Interview at a USCIS office (if required)
• If approved, the green card will be mailed to the applicant

U.S. Immigration Document Services: Green Card Renewal and U.S. Citizenship

U.S. immigration procedures are not only about the initial application but also about maintaining lawful status long-term. With U.S. immigration document services, each stage is prepared with the required documentation and obligations to ensure continued residency rights and future benefits.

10-Year Green Card and Residency Maintenance Obligations

After receiving the visa and entering the United States, green card holders must:

• Comply with residency duration requirements
• Maintain the United States as their primary place of residence
• Fulfill tax filing obligations according to IRS regulations
• Green card renewal: File Form I-90 before the card expires
• Removal of conditions (for conditional 2-year green cards): File Form I-751 within 90 days before expiration

U.S. Citizenship (Naturalization)

After holding a green card for the required period, applicants may apply for U.S. citizenship if they meet the following conditions:

• Hold a green card for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen)
• Reside in the U.S. for at least 30 months within 5 years (or 18 months within 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen)
• No serious criminal violations and demonstrate good moral character
• Pass the English and U.S. civics knowledge requirements

Becoming a U.S. citizen removes concerns about losing permanent resident status and provides the right to vote and faster family sponsorship benefits.

Complex Legal Situations That Require Assistance from a U.S. Immigration Attorney

I-601 Waiver (Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility)

When is Form I-601 required?

Under U.S. immigration law, a person may be considered “inadmissible” due to:

• Violation of previous immigration laws (overstay of more than 180 days, unlawful presence)
• Health-related issues (communicable diseases, missing required vaccinations)
• Criminal history (crimes involving moral turpitude, drug-related violations)
• Immigration fraud (misrepresentation, false statements)
• Other grounds such as the likelihood of becoming a public charge or security concerns

Key Standard

To be approved for an I-601 waiver, the applicant must demonstrate that a qualifying relative who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (depending on the case, this may include a spouse, parent, or child) would suffer “extreme hardship” if the applicant is not allowed to immigrate to the United States.

“Extreme hardship” is evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may include factors such as:

• Health conditions of the qualifying relative (serious illness requiring ongoing treatment)
• Financial circumstances (loss of employment, inability to sell property)
• Education (disruption to children’s schooling)
• Living conditions abroad (security situation, economic opportunities)
• Family relationships and the impact of separation
• Other special circumstances (a combination of multiple hardships)

Special Humanitarian Cases

First Consulting Group assists with special humanitarian cases such as political asylum and other exceptional situations under U.S. immigration law.

These cases require strong legal evidence (police reports, medical records, court decisions, expert opinions), persuasive legal arguments, and a deep understanding of legal precedents. Due to their complexity and high risk, applicants should consult an experienced immigration attorney to ensure proper evaluation and develop an appropriate legal strategy.

Visa Change and Adjustment of Status

Marriage-Based Adjustment

For individuals currently in the United States on another visa (F-1, B1/B2, L-1, etc.) who later marry a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and wish to apply for a green card.

Other Common Visa Transitions

• B1/B2 to F-1: Must demonstrate a legitimate change of plans; it is recommended to apply after 90 days from entry to avoid suspicion of visa misuse.
• F-1 to H-1B: The ideal timing is after graduation, during the OPT period.
• L-1 to EB-1C: Suitable for multinational executives who wish to obtain permanent residency.
• O-1 to EB-1A: Transition from a temporary visa to permanent residency for individuals with extraordinary ability.

Each type of visa transition has its own timing considerations and legal risks that should be carefully evaluated.

Previously Denied Visa and Reapplication Possibilities

Applicants who have previously been denied a visa often face difficulties when reapplying if the root cause is not properly addressed. Common cases include 214(b) refusals, inconsistent declarations, or weak ties to the home country. Reapplying is effective only when there has been a material change in circumstances and a clear legal explanation, rather than simply submitting the same application again.

Warning About Low-Quality Visa Services

Visa applicants should be especially cautious of companies that:

• Guarantee a “100% visa approval” (each case is different, and no one can guarantee approval)
• Promise “unusually fast processing” (which does not align with actual USCIS processing times)
• Do not have licensed immigration attorneys

Under U.S. law, only licensed attorneys or representatives recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice are authorized to represent clients in immigration matters. Hiring unqualified individuals may lead to incorrect filings, fraud, or even permanent inadmissibility to the United States.

Many people choose to prepare applications themselves to save costs, but this approach carries significant risks if they are unfamiliar with evaluation standards and legal argumentation. In contrast, consulting an immigration attorney can help identify weaknesses early, reduce errors, and minimize the risk of long-term legal consequences, especially in cases involving sensitive legal issues.

First Consulting Group – Professional U.S. Immigration Legal Services

• Team: More than 100 professionals including licensed immigration attorneys and experienced immigration specialists, fluent in Vietnamese, English, and Spanish.
• Track Record: Over 23 years of operation, with more than 40,000 successful cases and support provided to over 100,000 Vietnamese immigrants to the United States.
• Service Model: Each case is handled by at least 4 specialists with multi-layer quality control. The firm operates 7 offices in Vietnam and the United States.
• Commitment to Transparency: Free consultation directly with an attorney, detailed quotations, regular progress updates, and full support from the beginning of the case until the client receives a green card.

If you would like more information about U.S. visa services, an evaluation of your immigration legal status, or immigration pathways, please contact First Consulting Group for a free consultation. We are committed to providing accurate, up-to-date information in compliance with current immigration laws.

HOTLINE

• Garden Grove Office: (877) 348-7869
• San Jose Office: (408) 998-5555
• Houston Office: (832) 353-3535
• Vietnam Office: (028) 3516-2118