US seeks birthplace proof for visas from new passport holders

The U.S. embassy in Hanoi has instructed holders of the new Vietnamese passport to bring along documents proving their place of birth when applying for a visa.

It said Friday: « The U.S. government continues to review the new Vietnamese blue passport issued starting July 1, 2022, to determine if it meets U.S. requirements for visa issuance and travel. We expect a determination to be made soon. »

From August 15 applicants must make sure to write their place of birth when filling the DS-160 or DS-260 application, it said.

« Do not write your place of origin or your place of birth registration. Write the name of the city/province and country where your mother gave birth to you. »

The DS-160 is a nonimmigrant visa while the DS-260 is for permanent residence in the U.S.

Applicants with interviews scheduled must bring their original birth certificate starting August 15, it said.

« If you do not have an original birth certificate but do have an old (green) passport that shows your place of birth, then bring the old passport along with your new blue one.

« If you have received the new passport, we strongly suggest that you request that the place of birth be added as an endorsement prior to your interview. »

The old passport will continue to be valid until expiry.

The new one has been rejected by Germany, Spain, Finland, and the Czech Republic due to lack of birthplace information, with Germany and Spain denying visas to holders.

However, the Spanish embassy has since said it would accept the new passport, but those who wish to apply for a visa need to furnish their identity cards to verify their place of birth.

The Ministry of Public Security said recently a column for place of birth would be added to the new passport to make it convenient for citizens.

Until the change is effected, the information would be added manually to the passport upon request, public security minister To Lam said.

By Minh Nga – VnExpress.net – August 12, 2022