Where to schedule your visa appointment

You schedule a U.S. visa appointment through the State Department's official visa website, not through a travel agent, embassy directly, or any third-party service. The website is travel.state.gov. On that site, you select your country, find the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest you, and book a time slot in their system.

The appointment system is run by a contractor called CGI Federal, which manages the scheduling for nearly all U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. When you go to travel.state.gov and choose your location, you are entering CGI's scheduling platform. Slots fill quickly in busy cities, so availability changes daily.

You cannot walk in without an appointment. U.S. embassies and consulates do not accept visa applicants without a confirmed time slot. If you arrive without one, you will be turned away.

Key Takeaways

  • Schedule your appointment on travel.state.gov by selecting your country and nearest embassy or consulate, then choosing an available date and time.
  • You must complete the online visa form (DS-160 for most visa types) before you can book an appointment, and you need the confirmation number from that form.
  • Appointment availability varies by location and season; popular cities may have waits of several weeks or months, while smaller cities may have slots within days.
  • The appointment itself is usually 10 to 15 minutes long and includes a brief interview with a consular officer who will ask about your travel plans and background.
  • You pay the visa fee when you schedule the appointment, either online or at a bank designated by your embassy, depending on your location.

Complete your online form before booking

Before you can schedule an appointment, you must fill out the DS-160 form (process for a Nonimmigrant Visa) on the State Department website. This is a separate step from scheduling. You go to ceac.state.gov, select your country and embassy, and complete the form online. The form asks for your personal information, passport details, travel purpose, employment history, and background.

When you finish the DS-160, the system generates a confirmation page with a barcode and a confirmation number. Save this confirmation number — you will need it to schedule your appointment. You do not print the form itself; the barcode and number are what matter.

The DS-160 takes 20 to 40 minutes to complete, depending on how much detail your answers require. If you make a mistake, you can go back and edit it before you submit. After you submit, you cannot change it; you would have to start a new form.

Pay the visa fee

The visa fee for most nonimmigrant visas (tourist, business, student, work) is $160. Some visa types cost more; check your embassy's website for your specific category. You pay this fee before or during your appointment scheduling, depending on your location.

In some countries, you pay online when you book your appointment. In others, you pay at a designated bank before you schedule. Your embassy's website will tell you which method applies to you. If you pay at a bank, you receive a receipt that you bring to your appointment.

The fee is non-refundable even if your visa is denied. Some embassies allow you to reschedule your appointment without paying again, but others require a new payment if you reschedule more than once.

Choose your appointment date and time

After you have your DS-160 confirmation number and have paid the fee (if required), you return to travel.state.gov, select your country and embassy, and enter the confirmation number. The system then shows you available appointment slots for the next several weeks or months, depending on how busy that location is.

Slots are usually offered in morning and afternoon blocks. Morning appointments (typically 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.) tend to fill faster. You select the date and time that works for you and confirm the booking. You will receive a confirmation email with your appointment details, including the exact time, location, and what documents to bring.

If no slots are available, the system will tell you when the next batch of appointments will be released. In very busy cities like Mumbai, Mexico City, or Manila, you may see waits of two to four months. In smaller cities, slots may be available within a week.

What to bring to your appointment

Bring your passport, the appointment confirmation email, your DS-160 confirmation page (printed or on your phone), and any supporting documents for your visa category. For a tourist visa, that might be a hotel reservation and proof of funds. For a student visa, it is your I-20 form and university acceptance letter. For a work visa, it is your job offer letter and labor certification documents.

The consular officer will tell you during the interview which documents are required for your specific case. Bring originals and copies of everything. Do not bring weapons, large bags, or electronic devices other than a phone; embassy security rules vary by location, so check your embassy's website before you go.

Arrive 15 minutes early. The appointment time is when your interview begins, not when you should arrive at the building. Security screening can take 10 to 20 minutes.

Reschedule or cancel if you need to

If you need to change your appointment date, go back to travel.state.gov, enter your confirmation number, and look for the option to reschedule. Most embassies allow you to move your appointment to a different available slot without paying again, though some charge a fee for the second or third reschedule.

If you cancel your appointment entirely, you may lose your visa fee depending on your embassy's policy. Check your embassy's website or contact them directly before you cancel. Some embassies allow you to transfer your fee to a new appointment; others do not.

If you miss your appointment without canceling, you forfeit the fee and must pay again to schedule a new one.

What happens at your appointment

The interview itself is usually 10 to 15 minutes. A consular officer will ask you questions about your travel purpose, where you will stay, how long you plan to stay, your employment or school, and your ties to your home country. They want to know that you intend to return home after your visa expires.

The officer will review your documents, take your fingerprints, and may ask you to look at a camera for a photo. They will tell you on the spot whether your visa is approved or denied. If approved, they will keep your passport and mail it back to you with the visa stamp inside, usually within 5 to 10 business days.

If denied, you will receive a written explanation. You can schedule a new appointment and try again, but you will need to pay the fee again and may need to provide additional documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I schedule an appointment without filling out the DS-160 form first?

No. The DS-160 confirmation number is required to book an appointment. You must complete the form on ceac.state.gov before you can access the scheduling system on travel.state.gov.

What if there are no appointment slots available at my nearest embassy?

You can look for slots at a different embassy in your country, if one exists. Some countries have multiple U.S. embassies or consulates. You can also check back on travel.state.gov regularly; new slots are released periodically as cancellations happen or the embassy adds more time.

Do I need a visa appointment if I am a citizen of a visa-waiver country?

No. Citizens of countries in the Visa Waiver Program (mostly European nations, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and a few others) do not need a visa to enter the U.S. for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days. You register for ESTA instead. Check travel.state.gov to see if your country is on the list.

Can someone else schedule an appointment on my behalf?

Yes, a family member or friend can schedule your appointment if they have your DS-160 confirmation number and passport information. However, you must be the one who attends the interview. The consular officer will interview you in person.

How long does it take to get my visa after my appointment?

If your visa is approved, your passport is usually mailed back to you within 5 to 10 business days. Some embassies offer expedited processing for an additional fee. Check your embassy's website for their specific timeline and any rush options.