Where to book your visa appointment
You book your U.S. visa appointment through the State Department's official visa scheduling system, which is run by a contractor called CGI Federal. The website is ustraveldocs.com. This is the only official place to schedule — there is no phone line, no walk-in option, and no other government website that handles appointments.
The system works the same way regardless of which country you are in or which U.S. embassy or consulate you want to visit. You create an account, fill out your visa process information online, pay the visa fee, and then book an available time slot. The appointment itself is where you go in person to be interviewed and submit your documents.
Before you start, gather your passport, a recent photo, and information about your travel plans. You will also need to know which U.S. embassy or consulate is in your jurisdiction — this is usually the one closest to where you live, though some countries assign applicants by region.
Key Takeaways
- Book your appointment at ustraveldocs.com, which is the State Department's official scheduling system and the only place to reserve a time.
- You must complete your online visa process and pay the visa fee before you can see available appointment dates.
- Available appointment dates vary by location and visa type, and some consulates have wait times of several weeks or months.
- After you book, you will receive a confirmation email with your appointment date, time, location, and a list of documents to bring.
- If you cannot make your appointment, you can reschedule through the same website, but canceling and rebooking may push you further back in the queue.
Creating your account and starting your process
Go to ustraveldocs.com and select your country from the dropdown menu. The site will direct you to the visa process portal for your specific location. Click "Create New Account" and enter an email address and password — use an email you check regularly, because the system will send you important updates and reminders to this address.
After you log in, you will see a form asking which visa type you need. Common options are B1/B2 (tourist or business), F-1 (student), H-1B (specialty occupation worker), and immigrant visas. Select the one that matches your purpose for travel. If you are unsure, the State Department's visa types page describes each category.
Fill out the online process form completely. This includes your personal information, passport details, travel history, employment, family background, and the reason for your trip. The form is long — it typically takes 30 to 45 minutes. Save your work frequently, because the system will time out if you are inactive for too long. Do not close the browser tab without saving.
Paying the visa fee and uploading your photo
Once your process is complete, the system will ask you to pay the visa fee. The amount depends on your visa type — most nonimmigrant visas cost $160, but some are higher or lower. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or bank transfer, depending on what your location accepts. The system will give you a receipt number, which you will need at your appointment.
You will also need to upload a digital photo that meets State Department requirements: a color photo taken within the last six months, at least 2 by 2 inches, with a white or off-white background, and showing your face straight-on with a neutral expression. If your photo does not meet these standards, the system will reject it and ask you to upload again. Many applicants use a passport photo service or take a selfie against a white wall and crop it to size.
Keep your receipt number and confirmation email in a safe place. You will need both at your appointment, and you may need them if you have to reschedule.
Checking available appointment dates at your consulate
After you pay the fee, the system will show you a calendar of available appointment dates at the consulate or embassy you selected. The dates shown depend on how many interview slots that location has open. Some consulates have appointments available within days; others have wait times of two to three months or longer.
The calendar shows only dates that are actually open — if a date is not on the calendar, it is fully booked. You cannot request a specific date or put yourself on a waitlist. You can only book one of the dates the system shows you right now. If none of the available dates work for you, you have two choices: book the earliest date available and hope you can reschedule later, or wait a few days and check again to see if new dates have opened up.
Some locations release new appointment slots on specific days of the week. If you know your consulate does this, you can check the calendar on those days to catch newly available times. The State Department does not publish a schedule for this, so you may have to check a few times to learn the pattern.
Selecting your appointment time and receiving confirmation
Click on the date you want. The system will show you the available times for that day — usually morning and afternoon slots. Select the time that works for you. The system will ask you to confirm your choice, and then it will generate a confirmation page with your appointment details.
Write down or screenshot your appointment date, time, and location. The system will also email you a confirmation with this information and a list of documents you must bring. Read this list carefully — it varies by visa type and by your personal situation. For example, if you are explore for a work visa, you will need your job offer letter; if you are explore for a student visa, you will need your I-20 form from your school.
The confirmation email will also tell you what time to arrive (usually 15 minutes early) and what to expect during the interview. Bring the confirmation email or print it out and bring the paper copy. Some consulates scan it; others just want to see it on your phone.
What to do if you need to reschedule or cancel
If you cannot make your appointment, log back into ustraveldocs.com with your account email and password. Go to your process and look for the option to reschedule or cancel. Click it, and the system will show you the current available dates. You can then book a new time.
Rescheduling does not cost extra, but it may move you further back in the queue. If you cancel without rebooking, your appointment slot opens up for other applicants, and you will have to start the scheduling process over. You will not have to pay the visa fee again — it stays on your account.
Some consulates allow you to reschedule online up to a certain number of times. After that, you may have to contact the consulate directly. Check your confirmation email for contact information and any rules about rescheduling.
Common mistakes to avoid when booking
Do not wait until the last minute to book. Appointment slots fill up quickly, especially at popular consulates in large cities. If you need a visa by a certain date, book as soon as your process is ready, because wait times can be long.
Do not select the wrong consulate. The system will not let you change your location after you book, so you will have to cancel and start over. Before you click "confirm," double-check that you have selected the correct city and country.
Do not miss your appointment. If you do not show up, the consulate may cancel your process and you will have to pay the fee again and reschedule. If you know you cannot make it, reschedule at least a few days in advance so the slot can go to someone else.
Do not assume the confirmation email went to spam. Check your spam folder and add ustraveldocs.com to your contacts so future emails get through. If you do not receive a confirmation within a few hours of booking, log back in to verify that your appointment was actually saved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I book an appointment by phone or email?
No. The State Department only accepts visa appointment bookings through ustraveldocs.com. There is no phone line to call, and emailing the consulate will not get you an appointment. You must use the online system.
What if there are no available appointment dates?
Check back in a few days. New slots open as consulates add them to the calendar. Some locations release dates on specific days of the week. If you have a time-sensitive need, contact the consulate directly to ask about emergency appointments, though these are rare and usually only for situations like a death in the family or a job that starts in days.
Do I have to pay the visa fee before I can book an appointment?
Yes. You cannot see available appointment dates until you have completed your process and paid the fee. The fee is nonrefundable even if your visa is denied, so make sure your process is accurate before you pay.
Can someone else book an appointment for me?
You must create the account and submit the process yourself, but another person can help you fill it out or can attend the appointment with you as a companion. However, you are the one who logs in, pays the fee, and selects the appointment date.
What happens if I miss my appointment?
Your process will be canceled and you will lose your visa fee. You will have to create a new account, fill out a new process, pay the fee again, and book a new appointment. This can set you back by weeks or months depending on how long the wait is at your consulate.