💡 For a USCIS I-140 employment petition, your Vietnamese diploma and official transcript need a certified English translation with the translator's signed certificate of accuracy - nothing more. An apostille, a notarized translation, or a certified true copy is not required by USCIS. The governing rule is 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3): complete translation plus a signed certification of accuracy and translator competence.
- USCIS I-140 requires only a certified English translation - no apostille, no notarization, no certified true copy.
- The rule is 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3): full translation with the translator's signed certificate of accuracy and competence.
- This standard applies equally to all I-140 categories: EB-1A extraordinary ability, EB-2 NIW, and EB-3 skilled worker.
- Vietnam joined the Apostille Convention on 11 September 2026, but this does not add any authentication requirement for USCIS filings.
- A credential evaluator's requirements (WES, ECE) are separate from USCIS requirements - check both if applicable.
| Document action | What it does | Who provides it | Required for USCIS I-140? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified English translation | Full English rendering of the Vietnamese diploma or transcript, with the translator's signed certificate of accuracy and competence | A qualified Vietnamese-English translator | Yes - required under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) |
| Apostille from Vietnam MOFA | Authenticates the official seal and signature on the original document for use in Apostille Convention member countries (available from 11 Sep 2026) | Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs | No - not required by USCIS |
| Notarized translation | A translation where a notary public attests the identity of the translator, not the accuracy of the translation | Vietnamese notary office (văn phòng công chứng) | No - USCIS does not require it |
| Certified true copy | A photocopy certified as a true copy of the original, issued by a Vietnamese notary or People's Committee | Vietnamese notary office or People's Committee | No - a plain copy with certified translation is sufficient |
The USCIS rule for I-140: certified translation is enough
Under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), any foreign-language document submitted to USCIS must be accompanied by "a full English language translation which the translator has certified as complete and accurate, and by the translator's certification that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English." That is the complete requirement. No apostille. No notarization. No certified true copy.
For your Vietnamese diploma (bằng đại học) and official academic transcript (bảng điểm), you attach a clear copy of the original and a complete certified English translation. See USCIS certified translation requirements 2026 for the full format checklist - every seal, stamp, and field name on the original must appear in the English version.
Which Vietnamese documents does an I-140 petition typically require?
The scope of required documents depends on the I-140 category, but the most common Vietnamese-language materials that need certified English translation for an I-140 are:
- University diploma - the relevant degree for the job offer or the advanced degree claimed in an EB-2 petition
- Official academic transcript - every page, including the grading scale and legend
- Professional license or certificate (chứng chỉ hành nghề): for licensed professions such as medicine or engineering
- Employment verification letters from Vietnamese employers: covering job title, duties, and dates of service
- Award certificates, patents, or publication records: primarily for EB-1A extraordinary ability petitions
For a complete overview of what certified translations of Vietnamese academic records must include, see the Vietnamese diploma and transcript translation guide.
Does the I-140 category affect the translation requirement?
No. The 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) translation standard is the same across all I-140 employment-based categories. EB-1A (persons of extraordinary ability), EB-2 NIW (national interest waiver, advanced degree or exceptional ability), and EB-3 (skilled worker or professional) all use the same rule: certified translation, no apostille.
What varies is the scope of evidence. An EB-2 NIW petition centers heavily on the advanced degree and research impact, so the diploma and transcript carry greater evidentiary weight. An EB-3 for a skilled worker may focus more on employment verification letters from previous Vietnamese employers. The translation standard is constant; the documents in scope shift.
Does Vietnam's apostille change anything for USCIS?
Vietnam became a party to the Hague Apostille Convention on 11 September 2026. From that date, a single MOFA apostille replaces the older multi-step consular legalization for official Vietnamese documents used in the 125 member countries. This is meaningful for European university admissions, German civil registration offices, or Australian credential assessment bodies - but USCIS is not in that group.
USCIS has never required apostilles on foreign documents, and 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) has not changed. Getting an apostille on your Vietnamese diploma before submitting to USCIS adds cost and processing time with no added value to the I-140 petition.
Do you need a credential evaluation alongside the certified translation?
USCIS does not mandate a credential evaluation for every I-140. In many cases USCIS assesses educational equivalency directly from the submitted diploma and transcript. However, your attorney may recommend a foreign credential evaluation from an organization such as WES (World Education Services) or ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) to explain how your Vietnamese degree compares to a US degree.
If you use a credential evaluator, note that their document requirements are separate from USCIS requirements. The evaluator may request a certified true copy issued by your Vietnamese university registrar or a notary office, or direct submission from the institution. Those are the evaluator's rules, not USCIS's rules. Confirm with the evaluator directly before ordering documents.
What does "official transcript" mean for USCIS?
In US academic contexts, "official transcript" usually means a sealed copy sent directly from the institution. USCIS does not use that definition: USCIS does not require sealed envelopes or institution-direct delivery. A clear photocopy of your Vietnamese transcript with a complete certified English translation is fully sufficient for an I-140 petition. For context on when sealed transcripts actually matter, see the difference between Vietnamese diplomas for US universities vs. USCIS.
Get your Vietnamese diploma and transcript translated for I-140
Our certified Vietnamese academic document translation service covers university diplomas at all degree levels, official transcripts, professional licenses, and employment letters - each with a signed certificate of accuracy meeting 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). Request a quote for your I-140 translation package.
FAQ
Can my US employer who is sponsoring the I-140 petition translate my Vietnamese diploma themselves?
No. Under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), the translator must certify competence to translate from Vietnamese into English. An employer who is not a qualified Vietnamese-English translator cannot make that certification honestly. USCIS can reject the translation if the certification lacks credibility. Use an independent certified translator.
Does my Vietnamese diploma need a government stamp or certified true copy before it is translated?
No. You can provide a clear copy of your original diploma directly to the translator - no trip to a Vietnamese notary or People's Committee first. There is no USCIS requirement to obtain a certified true copy before submission. For the difference between a certified true copy and a certified translation, see certified true copy vs. certified translation.
Can I use the same certified translation for both I-140 and a later I-485 adjustment of status?
Yes, in most cases. If your circumstances have not changed, the same certified translation - signed and dated by the translator - can accompany both filings. USCIS does not require a freshly ordered translation for each separate form, provided the translation is complete and the certificate of accuracy is signed.
Does a Vietnamese professional license need apostille or just certified translation for I-140?
Just a certified English translation. A Vietnamese professional license - whether for medicine, engineering, or another field - is a foreign-language document like any other under USCIS rules. Attach the original or a clear copy with a complete certified translation per 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). No apostille needed for USCIS.
USCIS sent an RFE asking for a "full certified translation" of my transcript - does that mean apostille?
No. "Full certified translation" in a USCIS Request for Evidence means a translation that is complete and includes the translator's signed certificate of accuracy and competence per 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). It does not mean apostille. Respond with a complete certified translation covering every page of the transcript, including grading scales and legends.
Source: USCIS I-140 translation requirement, 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3).
I am Dao Huy (Lucas), a Vietnamese certified translator for USCIS, immigration, and university applications. Tell me your I-140 category and I will confirm exactly which documents need certified translation and in what format.
Written by Dao Huy (Lucas), Vietnamese translator and localization specialist (English, Chinese and French into Vietnamese). See translation services → · Certified Documents →