Photo: Collected

According to the provisions of Circular No. 68/2022/TT-BCA, the new model passport without an electronic chip in 2023 has a blue-purple cover and is amended and supplemented with information in pages 2 and 3, which can be as follows:

+ Add "place of birth" information;

 + Separate "last name", "middle letter and first name" on 02 separate lines.

On page 3 of the new model passport in 2023 there will be only the information of the place of issuance of the passport, no stamp of the place of issuance of the passport and the signature of the approver signing the passport. On each page of the new passport are images of landscapes, typical images of national sovereignty, famous cultural heritages of the country such as Ha Long Bay, Hue capital, Hung Temple, Hoi An ancient town, My Son Sanctuary, Nha Rong Wharf, Lung Cu flagpole, Cui Vo gate - Ly Son island ... expressing Vietnamese traditions, history, geography and culture, contributing to affirming and promoting the image of Vietnam to the world. In addition, the new ordinary passport model meets higher security requirements, prevents the risk of counterfeiting, and meets ICAO standards.

According to the Ministry of Public Security, ordinary passports issued before January 1, 2023 in previously issued forms are still valid for use until the expiry of the period stated in the passport.

The Vietnamese Consulate in New York has not issued a new model passport with an electronic chip.

I/ PROCEDURES FOR ISSUANCE OF A PASSPORT FOR THE FIRST TIME (including passports previously issued but expired)

Vietnamese citizens residing in the United States, who want to apply for a Vietnamese passport for the first time, must go directly to the Consulate to present and carry out passport issuance procedures.

The dossier includes:

1. A declaration of application for a passport.

2. Curriculum vitae.

3. Two color photographs (4 x 6 cm photo, white background, taken no older than 1 year, eyes straight, no glasses, no hat, hair not covering the ears).

4. Notarized copies of documents proving that the applicant is legally residing in the United States (e.g. Green Card, U.S. passport, Certificate of U.S. citizenship, I-20 for international students, I-94 for non-permanent residents, etc.).

If the applicant changes his name, a letter from the Court or the competent immigration authorities is required. This paper needs to be notarized or legalized. On the basis that the Name Change Certificate (or Marriage Certificate, on which the bride is written by her husband's surname) has been authenticated, the Consulate will carry out the procedure for registering a civil status note and supplement it on the Footnote page of the Passport this content.

5. Copies of documents proving that the applicant has Vietnamese nationality such as: Birth certificate, Certificate of Vietnamese nationality, National identity card, Citizen registration certificate, Travel document, Identity card, Family registration book, Diploma, Transcript, Driver's license, etc. If you no longer have these documents, you can return to your place of birth or permanent residence registration in Vietnam to apply for a copy of your birth certificate or re-register your birth.

Note: Passports issued to children under 14 years old are only valid for 5 years at most, for 2 years at the shortest or valid until they turn 14 years old. Children of two Vietnamese citizens, born in the United States: Birth Registration or Notes should be made in the Consulate's civil status book of the birth registered at the U.S. Civil Status Service before applying for a Vietnamese passport.

II/ PROCEDURES FOR REISSUANCE OF PASSPORT DUE TO DAMAGE/ OR EXPIRATION OF THE TIME LIMIT FOR REISSUANCE

Vietnamese citizens residing in the United States, go directly to the Consulate to request the replacement of their expired or damaged passports. In necessary cases, an application for reissuance of a passport may be submitted by post if the Consul exchanges and interviews over the phone determine that the passport applicant is a Vietnamese citizen living and present in the United States.

The dossier includes:

1. A declaration of application for passport change.

2. 02 2" x 2" photos (white background, white background, taken no more than 1 year, eyes straight, no glasses, no hat, hair not covering the ears): 1 photo pasted to the declaration, and 1 photo pinned or clipped to the declaration.

3. Current passport, with 01 copy (including the first 3 pages and visa page to enter the United States, if any).

If the old passport has an error that needs to be amended or supplemented, please submit it together with the Birth Certificate, Identity Card and the Decision of the competent Vietnamese agency related to the aforementioned amendment and supplement.

If the applicant changes his name, a letter from the Court or the competent immigration authorities is required. This paper needs to be notarized or legalized. On the basis that the Name Change Certificate (or Marriage Certificate, on which the bride is written by her husband's surname) has been authenticated, the Consulate will carry out the procedure for registering a civil status note and supplement it on the Footnote page of the Passport this content.

4. Notarized copies of documents proving that the applicant is legally residing in the United States (e.g. Green Card, U.S. passport, Certificate of U.S. citizenship, I-20 for international students, I-94 for non-permanent residents, etc.).

III/ PROCEDURES FOR REISSUANCE OF LOST PASSPORT

Vietnamese citizens residing in the United States, go directly to the Consulate to request the reissuance of their passport due to loss.

The dossier includes:

 1. Declaration of application for passport (clearly stating items, especially name, address and phone number of relatives in Vietnam – if any)

 2. Resume

 3. 02 2" x 2" photos (white background, white background, taken not older than 1 year, eyes straight, no glasses, no hat, hair not covering the ears): 1 photo pasted to the declaration, and 1 photo pinned or clipped to the declaration.

 4. Make a report in the form enclosed with a photocopy of the lost passport (if any), or present the original Vietnamese document to prove that the applicant has Vietnamese nationality.

5. Report to local police (USA) for missing passport.

6. A police certificate of your passport being lost (reporting the loss of your passport should clearly state the lost passport number, full name, date of birth of the passport holder ... The declaration is to ensure that your identification documents are not exploited by bad actors...).

7. Notarized copies of documents proving that the applicant is legally residing in the United States (e.g. Green Card, U.S. passport, Certificate of U.S. citizenship, I-20 for study abroad students, I-94 for non-permanent residents, etc.).

Source: vietnamconsulate