Schedule My Appointment
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Overview
Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Citizens of qualified countries may be also able to visit the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. If you do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program or are traveling to study, work, or participate in an exchange program, you must apply for a nonimmigrant visa.
Most applicants for U.S. visas are required to appear in person for a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General, and must schedule an appointment for that interview, either online using this website or through the call center.
If you are renewing a previous U.S. visa and qualify for an interview waiver click here for more information, you must also use the website or call center to register your application, and then drop off your passport and associated documents at any designated courier's locations, click here
Out-of-District Applicants:
You may apply for a nonimmigrant visa in any country where you are present; you do not need to be a citizen or resident. However, no matter where you apply you must demonstrate that you meet all requirements specific to the visa you are trying to obtain, including demonstrating sufficient ties outside of the United States.
Please be aware that:
- You must pay the nonimmigrant visa application fee in the country where you apply.
- You may not be able to bring an interpreter if you do not speak English or the local language where you are applying.
- If your visa class requires the submission of documents, you may be asked to provide certified translations into English or the local language.
- There is no guarantee that a visa will be issued. If refused, there is no refund of the application fee.
- Following your visa appointment, your application will be either issued or refused. If you do not establish eligibility for a visa, the consular officer may determine that the applicant should undergo further administrative processing to help establish your eligibility. There is no guarantee of the length of time it will take to complete that processing and return your passport.
- Once submitted, the nonimmigrant visa application and the application fee cannot be transferred to another embassy or consulate.
- Many embassies and consulates prioritize appointments for citizens and legal residents of the country in which they are located. There may be a longer appointment wait time for non-residents.
Supporting Documents
To schedule a nonimmigrant visa appointment or apply for a visa renewal via the drop-off service, you must have the following information and documents available:
- A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions) and at least two blank visa pages;
- Each person, including children, applying for a U.S. visa must have his or her own individual passport and form DS160;
- Your visa application (MRV) fee payment receipt;
- Your DS-160 confirmation page (Important Notice: The barcode on your DS-160 must match your appointment confirmation page. You cannot reuse a DS-160 from a previous interview.);
- A color photograph (Your photo must be 2x2 inches, taken within the last SIX months on a white background, without eyeglasses and must not be retouched). Also, if the digital photo you uploaded to your online DS-160 is of the same quality, we will be able to process your case faster;
- Your e-mail address; and
- If applicable, required documents based on visa class (such as a petition approval for petition-based visas; more information about visa types and information about each can be found here).
Restrictions to Changing Appointments
Applicants are limited to the number of times they can reschedule their appointments. If the applicant cancels or fails to attend the third appointment, the applicant needs to pay a new visa application fee to schedule a new appointment. Please plan accordingly so that you are not required to pay another visa application fee.