Universities in United States for international students

Student visas for Vietnamese citizens

The US State Department issued 18,454 F-1 visas to Vietnamese citizens in fiscal year 2024. For fiscal year 2025, Duckling's sum of the 12 monthly reports is about 15,808 F-1 visas, roughly 14% lower. Open Doors (IIE, not a government source) counts 25,584 Vietnamese students in the US in 2024/25. Since 15 September 2026, F-1 students are admitted for a fixed period tied to the I-20, up to 4 years at a time, instead of "duration of status".

Working after graduation

OPT: 12 months of work in your field after each degree level; degrees on the DHS STEM list can extend by 24 months (up to 36 months in total). Unemployment during OPT is capped at 90 days (150 days with the STEM extension). Note: on 8 October 2026 DHS published a PROPOSED rule charging USD 70,000 for initial OPT and USD 30,000 for later OPT; it is not in force, and comments close on 9 November 2026.

Proof of funds

There is no single national amount: you must show the amount on your school's I-20 (one year of tuition plus living costs). Each school page on Duckling shows the I-20 amount when the school publishes it.

Checked 10/10/2026

• 1.adoption.state.gov
• 2.opendoorsdata.org
• 3.ecfr.gov
• 4.govinfo.gov
• 5.govinfo.gov