Where and how to book your visa appointment

You book a U.S. visa appointment through the State Department's official visa appointment system at ustraveldocs.com, not through a separate government website. The system is run by a contractor called TravelDocs on behalf of the State Department. You cannot book directly at a U.S. embassy or consulate — all appointments go through this single online portal.

The first step is to create an account on ustraveldocs.com using your email address and a password you choose. Once logged in, you select your country and the city where you want to interview. The system then shows you available appointment dates at that location. You pay the visa fee (currently $160 for most visa types, though this varies by visa category) and confirm your appointment slot. You will receive a confirmation email with your appointment number, date, time, and location.

The entire booking process takes about 15 to 20 minutes if you have your information ready. You do not need to print anything at this stage — the system emails you everything you need.

Key Takeaways

  • All U.S. visa appointments are booked through ustraveldocs.com, which is the State Department's official appointment system.
  • You must create an online account, select your location, choose an available date, and pay the visa fee before your appointment is confirmed.
  • Appointment availability varies by location and visa type — some cities have openings within weeks, while others have waits of several months.
  • You will need your passport number, travel history, and employment information ready when you book, so have these details on hand before you start.

What information you need before you start

Gather these documents and details before you log into ustraveldocs.com. You will need your valid passport number, your full name exactly as it appears in your passport, and your date of birth. Have your current address and phone number ready, plus the email address you want to use for all appointment communications.

You will also answer questions about your employment, education, and travel history. Write down your current job title, employer name, and how long you have worked there. If you are a student, have your school name and field of study ready. The system asks where you have traveled in the past five years, so a rough list of countries and dates helps you move through the booking faster.

If you are explore for a work visa, have your job offer letter or employment contract available — you will not upload it during booking, but the system asks for details from it. For family-based visas, have the name and relationship of your U.S. sponsor.

How appointment availability works by location

The number of available appointments depends on the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country and how many visa interviews they conduct each week. Major cities like London, Toronto, and Mexico City often have appointments available within two to four weeks. Smaller cities or countries with fewer U.S. diplomatic posts may have waits of three to six months or longer.

When you select your location on ustraveldocs.com, the system shows you only the dates that are actually open. If no dates appear, the appointment queue for that location is full. You can check back daily — some locations release new slots as cancellations come in, or as the embassy adds more interview days. You can also select a different city if one is within reasonable travel distance.

Some visa categories have separate appointment queues. For example, tourist visas (B1/B2) may have different availability than work visas (H-1B, L-1) at the same location. When you book, the system shows you only the slots for the visa type you selected.

What happens after you book and pay

Once you complete your booking and the payment processes, you receive a confirmation email within minutes. This email contains your appointment number, the exact date and time, the address of the embassy or consulate, and what documents to bring. Save this email — you will need the appointment number when you arrive for your interview.

The confirmation also tells you what to do next. Most visa types require you to fill out form DS-160 (the online nonimmigrant visa process) before your appointment. You complete this form on the State Department's website (ceac.state.gov), and it generates a barcode that you print and bring to your interview. The DS-160 must be finished before your appointment date.

You will also need to gather supporting documents specific to your visa type — a job offer letter for work visas, proof of financial support for tourist visas, or a marriage certificate for spouse visas. The confirmation email lists what your visa category requires. Bring originals and copies of everything.

Rescheduling or canceling your appointment

If you need to change your appointment date or location, log back into ustraveldocs.com with the same email and password. Find your appointment in your account and select the option to reschedule. You can move to a different date at the same location, or change to a different city if you prefer. There is no fee to reschedule.

If you cancel your appointment entirely, you lose the visa fee you paid. Some locations allow you to transfer that fee to a future appointment, but policies vary. Check the instructions for your specific embassy or consulate before you cancel.

If you miss your appointment without canceling, you forfeit the fee and must book and pay again to get a new slot. The system does not automatically rebook you.

Common reasons appointments get delayed or rejected

The most common reason for appointment delays is incomplete or incorrect information during booking. If your name in ustraveldocs.com does not match your passport exactly — including middle names, hyphens, or spelling — your appointment may be flagged or canceled. Double-check your passport before you enter your name.

Payment problems also cause delays. If your credit card is declined, the booking does not complete. Use a card that works internationally, or ask someone else to pay on your behalf if your card is restricted. Some countries' cards do not process on the TravelDocs system — if yours fails, try a different card or contact the embassy directly for alternative payment methods.

Visa category mismatches can also cause problems. If you book under the wrong visa type — for example, booking a tourist visa when you actually need a work visa — your appointment will not move forward. The consulate will catch this at your interview and may reschedule you under the correct category, which delays your case.

What to do if no appointments are available in your country

If ustraveldocs.com shows no open dates for any location in your country, you have a few options. First, check back daily — cancellations happen regularly and new slots appear. Set a phone reminder to check the same time each day, since some locations release appointments at specific times.

Second, look for appointments in a neighboring country. If you live near a border, you can travel to a nearby U.S. embassy or consulate in an adjacent country. For example, if your home country has no availability, you might find an appointment in a neighboring city across the border. You can book there instead, though you will need to travel for your interview.

Third, contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country directly. Call their visa line or email their visa section. Explain your situation and ask whether they have a waitlist, emergency appointment process, or timeline for when new slots will open. Some locations prioritize cases based on travel dates or job start dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else book my appointment for me?

Yes. Anyone can create an account on ustraveldocs.com and book an appointment using your information. They will need your passport number, date of birth, and email address. However, the confirmation email goes to the email address used during booking, so make sure you have access to that account so you receive the appointment details.

What visa types can I book through ustraveldocs.com?

The system handles most nonimmigrant visas: tourist (B1/B2), work (H-1B, L-1, O-1, etc.), student (F-1), exchange visitor (J-1), and temporary worker visas. Immigrant visas (green card interviews) use a different system called the National Visa Center (NVC). Check your visa category before you book to make sure you are using the right system.

Do I have to pay the visa fee when I book, or can I pay at my interview?

You must pay the visa fee during booking on ustraveldocs.com. The fee is non-refundable if you cancel your appointment. Payment is by credit card only — cash and bank transfers are not accepted through the online system.

What if my appointment is on a holiday or weekend?

U.S. embassies and consulates do not conduct visa interviews on weekends or U.S. federal holidays. The ustraveldocs.com system will not show dates on those days, so you cannot accidentally book a holiday appointment. All available dates shown are working days when the consulate is open.

How long before my appointment should I arrive?

Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. The consulate will close the doors at a set time, and if you are late, you may be turned away and have to reschedule. Plan for security screening and lines — bring your confirmation email, passport, and all required documents in a folder so you can move through the process quickly.