How to reschedule your US visa appointment online
You reschedule a US visa appointment through the same website where you originally booked it. Log into your account on the State Department's visa process portal for your country — the URL varies by location, but your confirmation email will have the link. Once logged in, find your appointment in your account dashboard and select the option to reschedule. You will see available dates at that same consulate or embassy. Choose a new date, confirm the change, and you will receive a new appointment confirmation email with your updated time.
The process takes about five minutes if the portal is working and your account is accessible. Some countries' portals occasionally go offline for maintenance, usually at night or on weekends. If you cannot log in, wait a few hours and try again rather than calling — the phone lines are typically for emergencies only.
Keep your confirmation number from your original appointment handy when you log in. You will need it to locate your record in the system.
Key Takeaways
- Reschedule through the State Department visa portal for your country, using the same login credentials you used to book the original appointment.
- You can only reschedule to a different date at the same consulate or embassy — changing locations requires cancelling and rebooking as a new appointment.
- New appointment slots open regularly, but popular dates and times fill quickly, especially in large cities.
- If the portal is down or you cannot access your account, contact the consulate directly during business hours rather than waiting for an online solution.
What happens if you cannot reschedule online
If the portal will not let you reschedule — because your account is locked, your visa category is not showing, or you get an error message — contact the consulate or embassy directly. Find the phone number and email on the State Department website for your specific location. Have your confirmation number, passport number, and visa process reference number ready when you call.
Email is often faster than phone lines, which can have long wait times. In your email, state your current appointment date and time, explain why you need to reschedule, and ask what dates are available. Response times vary by location, but most consulates answer within two to five business days.
Do not miss your original appointment without rescheduling first. No-shows can result in your visa process being denied or your case being closed, requiring you to start over.
Rescheduling to a different city or country
If you need to move your appointment to a different consulate or embassy — for example, from one city to another in the same country, or to a different country entirely — you cannot straightforward reschedule. Instead, you must cancel your current appointment and create a new process in the portal for the new location.
Cancelling your appointment does not cancel your visa process itself. Your case file remains open. When you book at the new location, the consulate will pull up your existing process and interview you based on the documents you already submitted. You do not need to fill out a new DS-160 form or pay the visa fee again.
Some countries allow you to transfer your appointment between cities within the same country without cancelling. Check the specific instructions for your country's portal, or call the new consulate to ask whether your process can be transferred rather than restarted.
How far in advance you can reschedule
Most consulates allow you to reschedule up to 30 days before your appointment. Some allow changes up to 60 days out. A few have shorter windows — as little as 14 days. The rules depend on your country and consulate, and the portal will show you which dates are available based on your specific situation.
If your appointment is fewer than 14 days away and you need to reschedule, contact the consulate directly by phone or email. They can sometimes accommodate last-minute changes, but it depends on staffing and appointment availability. Be honest about why you need to reschedule — medical emergencies, death in the family, and work conflicts are taken more seriously than general inconvenience.
What to do if no appointment slots are available
If you log in and see no open dates for months ahead, you are looking at a backlog. This happens regularly in large cities and during peak visa seasons (spring and summer in the Northern Hemisphere). You have two options: wait for new slots to open, or contact the consulate to ask when they expect to release more appointments.
New slots typically open on a rolling basis — sometimes weekly, sometimes monthly, depending on the consulate's staffing and interview schedule. Check the portal every few days if your appointment is urgent. Some readers set phone reminders to check at the same time each week.
If your visa is time-sensitive — you have a job start date, school enrollment, or family event — email the consulate explaining the situation. They cannot may provide an earlier appointment, but they may be able to flag your case or let you know when slots are expected to open.
Rescheduling after a missed or cancelled appointment
If you missed your appointment without rescheduling, your case may be closed. Log into the portal and check your account status. If it says "No Show" or "Cancelled," contact the consulate when ready. Some will reopen your case and let you reschedule. Others require you to pay the visa fee again and restart the process process.
If you intentionally cancelled your appointment through the portal, your case is usually still open. You can reschedule to a new date using the same process as a normal reschedule. However, if too much time passes — typically six months to a year, depending on visa type — your process may expire and you will need to reapply.
Documents you need to bring to your rescheduled appointment
Bring the same documents you prepared for your original appointment. Your rescheduled appointment is the same interview — nothing changes except the date and time. Bring your passport, DS-160 confirmation page, visa fee receipt, and any supporting documents the consulate requested (birth certificate, marriage certificate, employment letter, financial documents, medical records, police clearance, or school transcripts, depending on your visa type).
If your circumstances have changed since you originally applied — you changed jobs, got married, had a child, or your financial situation shifted — bring updated documents showing the change. Tell the consular officer about the change during your interview. Do not try to hide it or submit a new process; the consulate already has your original file and will notice discrepancies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reschedule my visa appointment multiple times?
Yes, you can reschedule as many times as you need, as long as you do it before your appointment date. Each time you reschedule, you get a new confirmation email with the updated date and time. However, if you reschedule repeatedly without good reason, a consular officer may note it in your file, though this rarely affects your visa decision.
Will rescheduling delay my visa decision?
Rescheduling itself does not delay your decision. Your interview happens on whatever date you choose. However, if you reschedule far into the future, you will wait longer for your interview and visa to be processed. Most consulates issue decisions within a few days to two weeks after your interview.
What if I need to reschedule but the portal is not working?
Call or email the consulate directly. Have your confirmation number and passport number ready. Email is usually faster than phone, especially during business hours when lines are busy. Include your current appointment date and your preferred new date in your message.
Do I have to pay the visa fee again if I reschedule?
No. Rescheduling does not require a new fee. You paid when you submitted your original process. If you cancel and create a new process at a different consulate, you may need to pay again — ask the new consulate before you cancel.
Can I reschedule my appointment the day before?
The portal usually does not allow rescheduling within 14 days of your appointment. If you need to reschedule that close to your date, call the consulate directly and explain your situation. They may be able to help, but there is no may provide of availability.