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Study & Migration · USA

Studying and migrating to the USA: a guide for Vietnamese students

Studying in the USA starts with choosing an SEVP-certified school and receiving a Form I-20 once you show enough funds. You pay the USD 350 SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160, pay the USD 185 visa fee and interview for an F-1 visa in Vietnam. In your first year you can usually only work on campus; after graduating you may work on OPT for 12 months, plus 24 months for STEM degrees. Permanent residency is a separate pathway, not an automatic result of studying.

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Written by:
Owen & Co.
Checked:
28/09/2026
Next review:
12/10/2026
Reviewed by:
Pending review
USA

The Statue of Liberty, New York.

Your goals. Your own pathway.

Overview

What would you like to know?

01

Core requirements

Each school sets its own entry requirements. On the visa side, a US study application usually centres on five things.

  • A Form I-20 from an SEVP-certified school.
  • Financial documents covering the school's estimated cost on the I-20.
  • English test results (TOEFL, IELTS or another test the school accepts); some schools also consider SAT/ACT or GRE/GMAT.
  • The I-901 SEVIS fee receipt and a DS-160 application.
  • An in-person interview at the US Embassy or Consulate General in Vietnam.

02

Costs to plan for

Your total cost includes tuition, living costs, health insurance, visa fees and flights. Tuition varies enormously, from community colleges to private universities, so use the figures on your offer and I-20.

  • There is no single living-cost minimum: the I-20 shows the school's estimated cost for a year, and your family must show that amount.
  • I-901 SEVIS fee USD 350 and F-1 visa fee USD 185.
  • Health insurance is usually the school's plan and a significant cost; ask the school for the figure.
Build your own item-by-item budget ↗Cost planner on the Du Học & Định Cư Mỹ resource site.

03

Scholarships

In the US, financial support mostly comes from the schools themselves: merit scholarships, need-based aid at some schools, and teaching or research assistantships for graduate students.

  • Check whether a school offers aid to international students and its aid deadline, often the same as the admission deadline.
  • Merit scholarships are often considered with your application; some need a separate essay.
  • Scholarships reduce the amount on your I-20, but your family still has to show the rest.

04

Choosing a school and course

US higher education is diverse: research universities, liberal arts colleges and community colleges. Many students spend two years at a community college, then transfer to a university to save money.

  • Check the school is SEVP-certified before applying.
  • Compare schools for your field, not only by overall ranking.
  • If work after graduation matters, check whether your field is on the STEM list for the OPT extension.

05

The F-1 student visa

The F-1 is the visa for full-time students. You apply only after receiving an I-20, and you should expect an in-person interview.

  • Receive an offer → send financial documents → receive your I-20.
  • Pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and pay the USD 185 visa fee.
  • Book your interview in Vietnam; set your social-media profiles to public, as required for F applicants.
F-1 visa details

06

Work rights and after graduation

During term, F-1 students can work on campus up to 20 hours a week, and full time during breaks. After graduating, OPT lets you work in your field of study.

  • OPT lasts up to 12 months; STEM degrees can add a 24-month extension.
  • Apply for OPT between 90 days before and 60 days after your program end date.
  • Longer-term work after OPT usually needs a different, employer-sponsored work visa.

07

From study to migration: the real picture

Studying does not automatically lead to permanent residency (a green card). The usual route is through work and employer sponsorship, with many conditions and waiting times, and policy can change while you study.

  • Choose a field because you want that career, then consider migration options.
  • Follow official State Department and USCIS announcements rather than social-media rumours.
  • Owen & Co. helps you understand options and prepare applications; we do not promise visa or migration outcomes.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much money do I need to show for the USA?

There is no single amount. The I-20 lists the school's estimated cost for a year (tuition, living, insurance), and your family must show that amount, less any scholarship.

Where is the F-1 visa interview?

At the US Embassy in Hanoi or the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. Since September 2025, applicants should interview in their country of nationality or residence.

Can students work?

On campus, up to 20 hours a week during term and full time during breaks. Off-campus work needs an authorised category such as CPT or OPT.

What is OPT?

OPT lets F-1 students work in their field after graduating for up to 12 months, with 24 more months for STEM degrees. You apply between 90 days before and 60 days after your program ends.

Can studying in the USA lead to permanent residency?

Some people move from study to a green card, usually through work and employer sponsorship. It is a long pathway with many conditions; treat it as a possibility, not a guaranteed outcome.

Official sources

Visa policy can change. Always check official sources at the time you apply.

Owen & Co.

Ask Owen & Co.

Tell us where you are in your journey. An adviser will help you with schools, your I-20 and the visa interview.

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