Basic concepts
Words that appear at every stage.
EB-3 (Employment-Based, Third Preference)
Diện định cư theo việc làm, ưu tiên thứ 3A green card category sponsored by a US employer, with 3 groups: Skilled Workers, Professionals (with a bachelor's degree) and Other Workers (unskilled).
Other Workers / EB-3 Unskilled
Lao động phổ thôngThe EB-3 group for jobs that need less than 2 years of training or experience, such as restaurant service, food processing, hotel housekeeping and factory work.
Green Card / Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)
Thẻ xanh / Thường trú nhân hợp phápProof that you may live and work permanently in the US. Its official form name is Form I-551.
Sponsor / Employer / Petitioner
Chủ bảo lãnh / Chủ lao động / Người nộp đơnThree words for the same US company that hires you and sponsors you.
Beneficiary
Người thụ hưởngThe sponsored foreign worker – that is, you.
Principal Applicant / Primary
Đương đơn chínhThe person who directly takes the EB-3 job. The accompanying spouse and children are included in this person's case.
Dependent / Derivative
Người phụ thuộc / Người đi kèmThe principal applicant's legal spouse and unmarried children under 21.
Child
Con (theo luật di trú)Must be under 21 and unmarried. A child who turns 21 while waiting may lose the right to come along – see CSPA.
CSPA (Child Status Protection Act)
Luật Bảo vệ Tình trạng Trẻ emA law that helps "freeze" the age of some children close to 21 by subtracting the time a petition was pending. The calculation is complex – each case needs a lawyer's review.
DOL (Department of Labor)
Bộ Lao động MỹDecides the required wage level (PWD) and grants the labor certification (PERM).
USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
Sở Di trú và Nhập tịch MỹDecides Forms I-140, I-485, I-765, I-131… Part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
DOS (Department of State)
Bộ Ngoại giao MỹPublishes the Visa Bulletin and runs the NVC and the US Embassies and Consulates.
DHS (Department of Homeland Security)
Bộ An ninh Nội địa MỹThe department that oversees USCIS, CBP and ICE.
PERM stage
The employer does the work and pays the fees – you mostly wait.
PWD (Prevailing Wage Determination) – Form ETA-9141
Xác định mức lương phổ biếnDOL sets the minimum wage the employer must pay for the position in that area. This is usually the first step before PERM.
Recruitment
Thử thị trường lao động MỹThe employer must advertise the job as required by the rules, to show that not enough willing and qualified US workers are available.
PERM / Labor Certification (LC) – Form ETA-9089
Chứng nhận lao độngThree names for the same filing: the employer files with DOL to get approval to hire a foreign worker. PERM is filed and paid for by the employer, as the rules require.
Check it yourself: flag.dol.govFLAG
Hệ thống nộp hồ sơ lao động của DOLDOL's online portal for receiving PWD and PERM filings and publishing processing times.
Audit
Kiểm tra hồ sơ PERMDOL asks the employer for more proof of its recruitment. An audit does not mean a denial, but it usually slows the case down.
Offering / Worksite
Vị trí việc làm / Nơi làm việcThe specific job and location the employer opens. One sponsor may have several positions in several cities.
I-140 stage
The petition filed with USCIS.
I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers)
Đơn bảo lãnh lao động nước ngoàiFiled by the employer with USCIS after PERM is approved. An approved I-140 is not a green card and does not let you stay or work in the US.
Premium Processing – Form I-907
Xử lý nhanhAn extra fee so USCIS decides the I-140 within a shorter time frame. It only shortens the I-140 step, not the Visa Bulletin wait.
Receipt Notice (I-797C) / Receipt Number
Giấy biên nhận / Số biên nhậnSent by USCIS when it receives a filing. The receipt number has 3 letters + 10 digits and lets you check your case status yourself.
Check it yourself: egov.uscis.gov/casestatusApproval Notice (I-797)
Thông báo chấp thuậnThe notice USCIS sends when a petition is approved.
RFE (Request for Evidence)
Yêu cầu bổ sung bằng chứngUSCIS needs more documents before deciding. An RFE does not mean a denial – what matters is a correct, on-time response.
NOID (Notice of Intent to Deny)
Thông báo dự định từ chốiUSCIS says it plans to deny and gives a chance to respond. This needs a lawyer.
Motion to Reopen / Reconsider – Form I-290B
Đề nghị mở lại / xem xét lạiWays to challenge a denial: reopen when there is new evidence, reconsider when you believe the agency applied the law incorrectly.
Waiting on the Visa Bulletin
The "queue" part – no one can shorten it.
Priority Date (PD)
Ngày ưu tiênFor EB-3 through PERM, it is the date DOL received the PERM filing. It is your "place in line" in the visa queue.
Visa Bulletin
Bản tin thị thực / Lịch visaPublished monthly by the US Department of State. It shows which priority dates can move forward.
See: travel.state.gov → Visa BulletinCut-off Date
Ngày giới hạnThe date shown in the Visa Bulletin. Your priority date must be earlier than this date for your turn to come. "C" (Current) means no wait.
Final Action Dates (Chart A)
Bảng A – Ngày hành động cuối cùngThe chart that decides when a visa/green card is actually issued.
Dates for Filing (Chart B)
Bảng B – Ngày được nộp hồ sơThe chart that allows documents to be filed earlier. Each month USCIS announces which chart applies to people filing I-485 in the US.
Retrogression
Lịch visa lùiWhen demand exceeds the number of visas, cut-off dates can move backward. This is why no one can guarantee a timeline.
Chargeability
Quốc gia tính hạn ngạchThe queue is based on place of birth, not citizenship. People born in Vietnam fall under the "All Chargeability Areas" column.
Cross-chargeability
Tính hạn ngạch theo nơi sinh của vợ/chồngAn exception that lets spouses born in two different countries be counted under the country with the faster queue.
If you are in Vietnam – Consular Processing
Get the immigrant visa first, then travel to the US.
Consular Processing (CP)
Xử lý hồ sơ qua Lãnh sự quánThe green card path for people outside the US: interview at a Consulate, receive an immigrant visa, then enter the US as a permanent resident.
NVC (National Visa Center)
Trung tâm Thị thực Quốc giaTakes the case after the I-140 is approved, collects fees and documents, then sends it to the Consulate when your turn comes.
CEAC
Cổng hồ sơ trực tuyến của Bộ Ngoại giaoWhere you pay fees, submit the DS-260 and upload documents for the NVC.
DS-260
Đơn xin visa định cưThe online application every family member (including children) must complete.
Civil Documents
Giấy tờ hộ tịchBirth certificate, marriage certificate (if any), divorce decree (if any), passport…
Police Certificate
Phiếu lý lịch tư phápA criminal record certificate, as required by the US Department of State for each country.
Medical Exam / Panel Physician
Khám sức khoẻ / Bác sĩ được chỉ địnhAn exam at a clinic designated by the Consulate, including the required vaccinations.
Embassy / Consulate
Đại sứ quán / Lãnh sự quánWhere the immigrant visa interview takes place. In Vietnam, immigrant visa interviews are usually held at the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City (TP.HCM) – always check your appointment letter.
Immigrant Visa (IV)
Visa định cưPlaced in your passport after you pass the interview; used to enter the US for the first time as a permanent resident.
USCIS Immigrant Fee
Phí cấp thẻ xanh của USCISPaid after you receive the immigrant visa and before you travel, so USCIS can print the green card and mail it to your US address.
Port of Entry / CBP
Cửa khẩu / Hải quan & Biên phòng MỹThe airport or border crossing where you enter; CBP officers check your documents before admitting you to the US.
If you are in the US – Adjustment of Status
Only applies if you currently hold valid status – a lawyer should review your specific case.
Adjustment of Status (AOS)
Điều chỉnh tình trạngApplying for a green card from inside the US, without returning home for an interview.
I-485
Đơn xin thường trú / điều chỉnh tình trạngThe main form of an AOS case, filed with USCIS when your priority date is current.
EAD (Employment Authorization Document) – Form I-765
Giấy phép làm việc (work permit)Allows you to work in the US while the I-485 is pending.
Advance Parole (AP) – Form I-131
Giấy phép tái nhập cảnhAllows you to leave the US and return while the I-485 is pending. Traveling without AP can cause the application to be treated as abandoned.
I-693
Phiếu khám sức khoẻ cho hồ sơ AOSCompleted by a USCIS-designated doctor (civil surgeon).
Biometrics
Lấy dấu vân tay, chụp ảnhUSCIS schedules a fingerprint and photo appointment after receiving the I-485.
I-94
Hồ sơ nhập – xuất cảnhRecords how long you may stay in the US. Overstaying your I-94 can seriously harm your case.
Visa Stamp
Thị thực dán trên hộ chiếuA travel document for entry. An expired visa does not mean you are in the US unlawfully – your permitted stay is shown on the I-94.
Unlawful Presence
Hiện diện bất hợp phápTime in the US without permission, for example after your I-94 expires. It can lead to a bar on returning.
Unauthorized Employment
Làm việc không phépWorking without authorization. It can affect your ability to adjust status.
EVL (Employment Verification Letter)
Thư xác nhận việc làmA letter in which the employer confirms it is still holding the position for you (job title, worksite, wage); often needed at the interview.
After the green card
Starting a new life in the US.
A-Number (Alien Registration Number)
Số hồ sơ di trúA unique ID number issued by DHS, printed on your green card and immigration documents.
I-551 Stamp
Dấu thường trú tạm thờiA stamp on your visa/passport that temporarily proves you are a permanent resident while you wait for the card.
SSN (Social Security Number)
Số An sinh Xã hộiThe number you need to work, file taxes and open a bank account.
I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification)
Phiếu xác minh tư cách làm việcA form employers complete for every new hire to check identity and work authorization.
IRS (Internal Revenue Service)
Sở Thuế Liên bangThe federal agency that collects individual and business taxes.
Naturalization / Citizenship Test
Nhập tịch / Bài thi quốc tịchPermanent residents can usually apply for citizenship after 5 years (3 years if married to and living with a US citizen), through an interview on English and civics.
Citizenship vs. Nationality
Quốc tịch vs. Nơi sinhIn US immigration, the visa queue is based on place of birth (chargeability), not on the passport you hold.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
Cơ quan Thực thi Di trú và Hải quanThe agency that enforces immigration law inside the US, part of DHS.
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