Visa F4 - Last name issue?

[hopelifebetter201 72]

Hi everyone, my sister's F4 petition is at NVC, her last name: NGUYEN, Middle name: HOANG HONG, First Name: VAN . NVC writes her name:  VAN HONG NGUYEN HOANG / NGUYEN HOANG, VAN HONG.

is it correct ? is it ok to combine last name and middle as Last name?  if not , how I correct it ? Thanks a lot.

Edited May 21, 2018 by hopelifebetter201

[WandY 430]

You need to make sure that NVC and your sister agree on the order. In America, we generally go with three names - First, Middle, and Last. On forms, there are usually only three slots for writing your name, with the the last name usually (but not always), in the first position. The key is that her passport will match the U.S. forms and visa.

 

NOTE: She can have four names, but in America it can really get confusing and cause problems with paperwork.

 

Trying to change names after forms are filled out is not always easy and/or wise. If the visa and Vietnamese passport are confusing and out-of-order, there could be some problems entering the U.S.

 

Advice: She needs to settle on three names: First, Middle, and Last (surname). And that's the order on her passport AND at NVC. Get it straightened out now, or it could become a big mess later.

 

This is an extremely long process that may take many years. You do realize that the F4 is a very long wait time?

Good luck!

[Jojo92122 1,924]

19 hours ago, hopelifebetter201 said:

Hi everyone, my sister's F4 petition is at NVC, her last name: NGUYEN, Middle name: HOANG HONG, First Name: VAN . NVC writes her name:  VAN HONG NGUYEN HOANG / NGUYEN HOANG, VAN HONG.

is it correct ? is it ok to combine last name and middle as Last name?  if not , how I correct it ? Thanks a lot.

No, it's not correct.  It's not okay to combine the last and middle names and call it Last Name.

Correct it on your side of the paperwork; I-864, DS-260, etc.

Here is the basic problem with the US and Vietnamese names.  The US doesn't get it.  No matter what you do, they don't get it.  I've seen so many Vietnamese green cards with the wrong first name.  On the VN passport, the full name is written.  It doesn't matter if they paperwork is all filed with the correct first, middle, and last names, then the green card will come with Last Name separated from Given Name.  So, NGUYEN HOANG HONG VAN on the VN passport becomes Last Name: NGUYEN (at least they get the last name right), then Given Name: HOANG HONG VAN.  The US thinks HOANG is the first name on the green card because of the stupid policy to go by whatever mistakes they make.   Happens, so often.  I see lots of VN people wait for US citizenship to correct the mistakes.

[hopelifebetter201 72]

2 hours ago, Jojo92122 said:

No, it's not correct.  It's not okay to combine the last and middle names and call it Last Name.

Correct it on your side of the paperwork; I-864, DS-260, etc.

Here is the basic problem with the US and Vietnamese names.  The US doesn't get it.  No matter what you do, they don't get it.  I've seen so many Vietnamese green cards with the wrong first name.  On the VN passport, the full name is written.  It doesn't matter if they paperwork is all filed with the correct first, middle, and last names, then the green card will come with Last Name separated from Given Name.  So, NGUYEN HOANG HONG VAN on the VN passport becomes Last Name: NGUYEN (at least they get the last name right), then Given Name: HOANG HONG VAN.  The US thinks HOANG is the first name on the green card because of the stupid policy to go by whatever mistakes they make.   Happens, so often.  I see lots of VN people wait for US citizenship to correct the mistakes.

thanks a lot for your help. 

[WandY 430]

4 hours ago, Jojo92122 said:

Here is the basic problem with the US and Vietnamese names.  The US doesn't get it.  No matter what you do, they don't get it. 

Jojo92122 is smart in trying to figure out how it works, but needs to understand that the U.S. doesn't have to get it - or anything. This is America - we have three names. Get used to it. The VN names are confusing to the rest of the world, not just the U.S. I've spent a lot of time in SE Asia - the VN style is nothing like the U.S. (and that's not a bad thing, just the way it is). You have to make sure that the VN last name, middle name, and first name will sync with American style. She is coming to America, so she needs to do it the American way. My fiance had the same issue - it's not a big deal. Just make sure to get the order correct. If not, POE could be bad.

[Jojo92122 1,924]

1 hour ago, WandY said:

Jojo92122 is smart in trying to figure out how it works, but needs to understand that the U.S. doesn't have to get it - or anything. This is America - we have three names. Get used to it. The VN names are confusing to the rest of the world, not just the U.S. I've spent a lot of time in SE Asia - the VN style is nothing like the U.S. (and that's not a bad thing, just the way it is). You have to make sure that the VN last name, middle name, and first name will sync with American style. She is coming to America, so she needs to do it the American way. My fiance had the same issue - it's not a big deal. Just make sure to get the order correct. If not, POE could be bad.

I'm an American, and I have four names.  Get used to it.  America is not Europe.  Get used to Asian names.  Get used to people like me who use all four of their Vietnamese names.  Get used to Mexican-Americans who have two last names.  Get used to it.  You live in a multicultural America, so you need to do it the multicultural American way.  

Edited May 22, 2018 by Jojo92122