Where to schedule your visa appointment

You schedule a U.S. visa appointment through the State Department's official visa website, travel.state.gov. This is the only place where appointment slots are released and managed. You cannot schedule through a travel agent, embassy directly, or any third-party service — though some of those services exist and charge fees to help you navigate the process.

The website directs you to a system called CGI Federal, which manages appointment scheduling for most countries. When you land on travel.state.gov and select your country and visa type, you are taken to that country's specific scheduling portal. The portal shows available dates and times at the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest to you.

Before you can book a slot, you need a DS-160 confirmation number. This is the form number for the Online Nonimmigrant Visa process. You fill out the DS-160 on travel.state.gov first, submit it, and receive a confirmation number. That number is what you enter when you log into the appointment scheduling system.

Key Takeaways

  • Schedule your appointment at travel.state.gov using your DS-160 confirmation number; this is the only official scheduling system.
  • You must complete and submit the DS-160 form before you can book an appointment slot.
  • Appointment availability varies by country, visa type, and season — some locations show dates months ahead, others only weeks ahead.
  • The appointment fee varies by visa type and country; you pay it at the time of your appointment, not when you schedule.
  • If you cannot attend your scheduled appointment, you must cancel it through the same portal so the slot opens for someone else.

Steps to complete the DS-160 form

Go to ceac.state.gov/genniv to start the DS-160. You will need your passport number, travel dates, and the address where you will stay in the United States. The form asks about your employment, education, family ties, and the purpose of your trip. It takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on how much detail your situation requires.

When you finish, the system generates a confirmation page with a barcode and a long confirmation number. Save this number and the barcode image — you need both for your appointment. Some people screenshot the page; others print it. Either way, keep it accessible because you will enter this number into the appointment scheduling system.

The DS-160 does not lock you into anything. If your plans change after you submit it, you can fill out a new one and use the new confirmation number. There is no penalty for submitting multiple forms, though you should use only the most recent one.

Logging into the appointment scheduling system

Once you have your DS-160 confirmation number, return to travel.state.gov, select your country, and choose your visa type. The site will ask you to create a login or sign in if you already have one. You will need an email address and a password.

After you log in, you enter your DS-160 confirmation number and your passport number. The system verifies that the form exists and matches your passport. If the numbers do not match, you will see an error — go back and check that you copied them correctly, including capital letters and numbers.

Once verified, the system shows you available appointment dates and times at the consulate or embassy for your country. Dates fill up quickly in busy seasons, so if you see a slot that works for you, book it when ready rather than waiting to see if better times appear later.

Understanding appointment availability by location and season

Appointment slots open on a rolling basis. Some countries release dates three to six months in advance; others release them only a few weeks out. You cannot see future dates until the system opens them, so if you need an appointment in three months and no dates are showing, check back in a week or two.

Availability depends heavily on the season and the specific consulate. Major cities like London, Mexico City, and Manila tend to fill up faster than smaller posts. Summer and the weeks before major holidays see higher demand. If you have flexibility in your travel dates, you may find slots more easily in slower months.

Some countries have emergency or expedited appointment services for travelers who need to leave within days. These are not faster processing — the visa still takes the same time to adjudicate — but they let you book an appointment sooner. Expedited appointments usually cost extra and are available only at certain locations. Ask the scheduling system or check your country's embassy website to see if this option exists for you.

What to bring and prepare before your appointment

Bring your passport, the DS-160 confirmation page with the barcode, and any supporting documents your visa type requires. For a tourist visa, that might be a hotel booking and a bank statement. For a work visa, it might be an employment letter and a degree certificate. The State Department website for your country lists what documents are needed.

Arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment time. You will go through security screening, and the consulate may be running behind. Bring only what you need — large bags, phones, and cameras are often not allowed in the waiting area.

The interview itself usually lasts five to ten minutes. A consular officer will ask about your trip, your ties to your home country, and your financial situation. Answer directly and honestly. If you do not understand a question, ask the officer to repeat it.

What happens after your appointment

After your interview, the officer will tell you whether your visa is approved, denied, or under administrative review. If approved, they will tell you when to pick up your passport — sometimes the same day, sometimes a few days later. If denied, you receive a written explanation and can reapply by scheduling a new appointment.

If your case goes into administrative review, it means the consulate needs more time to make a decision. This can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. The consulate will contact you when a decision is made.

Once your visa is stamped in your passport, you can travel to the United States anytime before the visa expires. The expiration date is printed on the visa itself. Entering the country before that date does not mean you can stay until the visa expires — your actual stay length is determined by the immigration officer at the port of entry.

If you need to reschedule or cancel

Log back into the appointment scheduling system using the same email and password. You will see your upcoming appointment listed. Click on it to see options to reschedule or cancel. If you cancel, the slot opens when ready for someone else to book.

If you reschedule, you keep the same DS-160 confirmation number — you do not need to fill out a new form unless your information has changed. The system will show you available dates and times, and you can pick a new slot.

If you miss your appointment without canceling, you will need to schedule a new one. Some consulates may flag repeated no-shows, which could affect future applications, so cancel if you know you cannot attend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I schedule an appointment before I fill out the DS-160?

No. The appointment system requires your DS-160 confirmation number to verify your identity and visa type. You must complete and submit the DS-160 first, receive the confirmation number, and then use that number to log into the scheduling system.

What if no appointment dates are showing for my country?

Dates are released on a rolling basis and vary by location. Check back in a few days or a week. If you need an appointment urgently, contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for your country directly — they can tell you when the next batch of dates will open and whether an emergency appointment is available.

Can someone else schedule an appointment for me?

You must create the login and schedule the appointment yourself using your own email address and passport information. A family member or friend can help you navigate the website, but the account and the appointment must be in your name.

Do I pay the visa fee when I schedule the appointment?

No. You pay the visa fee at the time of your appointment, either in cash or by card depending on what the consulate accepts. The fee amount varies by visa type and country. The consulate's website lists the fee and accepted payment methods.

What if I need to change my appointment time but keep the same date?

Log into the scheduling system and cancel your current appointment. Then book a new slot for the same date at a different time if one is available. You do not need to fill out a new DS-160.