Apply for a U.S. Visa

Group Appointments

On this page:

• Overview
• How to Apply

Overview

The minimum number of applicants required to make a group appointment request is 10.  Examples of groups include, but are not limited to, professional trainees, performance troops and tour groups.  A group (or family) with less than 10 applicants is not considered a group and must schedule a regular appointment.  All group appointment requests must contain a list (of at least 10) of the each applicant’s name and DS-160 number by attaching the list to the request. The maximum number of appointments for a group on any given day is 50. Groups larger than that will be allocated appointment times over multiple days.

How to Apply

Step 1

Each group member must complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form and print the confirmation page.

Step 2

A designated group coordinator may use the online appointment system to click on the Group Scheduling Request button to request a group appointment. It is not possible to submit a request through an agent. Once the request is submitted wait for an email response from the U.S. Consulate.

Step 3

If the Consulate approves the request, the group coordinator will receive an email with directions to return to their online profile to register the group and schedule and appointment. Should the U.S. Consulate deny the request for a group appointment, a notification will also be sent by e-mail. In this case, each group member must schedule an individual appointment.

Note: The e-mail confirming or denying your request comes from no-reply@ustraveldocs.com. Some e-mail applications have rules that filter unknown senders into a spam or junk mail folder. If you have not received your e-mail notification, please look for the message in your junk and spam e-mail folders.

Step 4

The group coordinator returns to the online appointment system and clicks on the Schedule Group Appointment button to register the group.

Step 5

The group coordinator selects the approved group appointment request corresponding to the correct group. If the group coordinator frequently schedules group appointments, it is important to select the correct group request.

Step 6

Each group member is added as a "Dependent" to the group coordinator's profile. The group coordinator can choose to be a member of the group or not.

The coordinator should have at hand three pieces of information about each group member:

• Each group member's full passport information.
• Each group member’s contact information (phone numbers and email).
• Each group member’s 10-digit barcode number from the DS-160 confirmation page.

Step 7

Upon entering all members of the group select a payment option and follow the directions. In the case of making a bulk fee payment for the entire group, you will receive only one receipt number that can be used for each group member. Be sure to wait until the following business day (after making payment) before using the receipt number.

Step 8

Select an appointment date and time and print the appointment confirmation letter. The appointment confirmation letter is required to enter the Embassy/Consulate in addition to the DS-160 confirmation page, one photograph taken within the last six months, and a current passport.

If you have any questions on group scheduling, please visit the Tutorial for Scheduling Group Appointments for more detailed instructions. 

Important Points to Remember

• Once the group request has been approved, the group has a limited time (mentioned in the email) to complete the appointment process. In case the request expires, the group coordinator must submit a new request.
• Each applicant must complete his or her own Form DS-160. The group coordinator may complete the rest of the process on behalf of the group.
• If a group member has already scheduled an appointment, he or she is no longer eligible to be a group member. He or she must attend the visa interview alone.
• If the group's applicants are applying under an approved I-797 petition, such as H2A, H2B, or H3 visa applicants, in Step Two the group coordinator must upload a legible copy of the approved I-797 as part of the request.
• A call center agent cannot schedule group appointments, but they are able to assist with questions.
• If the appointment is canceled for one member of the group it is canceled for the entire group.