Study in USA: Fees, Intakes, Universities, Jobs for Vietnamese Students

Form I-20 is an official government document issued by SEVP-certified US institutions confirming a student's acceptance and financial capability. Vietnamese applicants must secure their Form I-20 from their university after providing proof of funds, which is required to pay SEVIS fees and apply for F1 visas.

Vietnamese students applying for an F1 visa must pay the mandatory $350 I-901 SEVIS fee before scheduling their visa interview. This fee supports the Student and Exchange Visitor Programme database and must be paid online via FMJfee.com, with the payment receipt presented during the consular interview.

US consular regulations require Vietnamese applicants to prove liquid funds covering full tuition, living expenses, health insurance, and fees for their first academic year as specified on Form I-20. Proof includes bank statements, liquid assets, official affidavits of support, or university merit scholarship awards.

Yes, American universities widely recognise the Vietnamese High School Graduation Diploma (Bằng Tốt Nghiệp THPT). Admission decisions depend on cumulative GPA, standardised test scores like SAT/ACT or English tests, and certified academic transcript evaluations from recognised credential evaluation services such as WES or ECE.

Vietnamese F1 visa holders can legally work on campus up to 20 hours per week during regular academic semesters. During official school breaks, holidays, and summer vacation periods, students are authorised to work full-time up to 40 hours per week, on their university campus.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment authorisation granted by USCIS, allowing eligible F-1 Vietnamese students to work in their major field of study. Standard OPT allows up to 12 months of post-graduation professional work experience with US employers across all academic disciplines.

Vietnamese graduates earning qualifying science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degrees can apply for a 24-month OPT extension beyond the standard 12-month OPT. This allows STEM graduates to work legally in the United States for up to 36 months total with E-Verify employers.

Most US universities and colleges accept recognised English proficiency exams, including TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, Duolingo English Test, and PTE Academic. Minimum score requirements vary by institution, with top undergraduate programmes typically requiring IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL iBT 80+, while graduate programmes require higher scores.

Vietnamese students must schedule and attend their in-person consular visa interview at either the US Embassy in Hanoi or the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. Applicants must present Form DS-160 confirmation, passport, Form I-20, SEVIS receipt, and verified financial records.

Yes, Vietnamese F1 students can bring their legal spouse and unmarried dependent children under 21 to the United States using F2 visas. F2 dependents receive separate Form I-20s, and while F2 spouses cannot work, dependent children are permitted to attend elementary and secondary schools.

Under official US Department of State regulations, F1 student visas can be issued up to 365 days before the programme start date listed on Form I-20. However, Vietnamese students cannot physically enter the United States earlier than 30 days prior to their official start date.

Because the US lacks universal public healthcare, US universities mandate that Vietnamese international students maintain comprehensive health insurance coverage. Students must either purchase their university’s official student health plan or submit proof of comparable private international health insurance meeting specific university coverage standards.

Yes, many US public and private universities award merit-based scholarships, tuition waivers, and assistantships to international applicants. Vietnamese students are automatically evaluated for institutional awards based on exceptional academic GPA, high standardised test scores, leadership credentials, and strong application essays during admissions.