U.S. visa appointment procedures vary by visa type and application location.
Before registering in the visa appointment system, paying the visa application fee, or scheduling an appointment, review the current instructions for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply.
Where Should You Apply for a U.S. Visa?
Where to apply differs for nonimmigrant and immigrant visa applicants.
For Non-immigrant Visas
Nonimmigrant visa applicants, including visitors, students, exchange visitors, and temporary workers, should generally schedule their visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence.
Applicants applying based on residence should be prepared to show that they live in that country. Applicants who apply outside their country of nationality or residence, or outside a designated processing location, may face longer wait times and additional difficulty establishing eligibility. They generally cannot transfer or recover the visa application fee.
For Immigrant Visas
Effective November 1, 2025, immigrant visa applicants are generally scheduled for an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate assigned to their country of residence. Applicants may request processing in their country of nationality instead, subject to applicable procedures and limited exceptions.
Effective November 1, 2025, immigrant visa applicants are generally scheduled for an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate assigned to their country of residence. Applicants may request processing in their country of nationality instead, subject to applicable procedures and limited exceptions.
If the National Visa Center (NVC) has already scheduled the interview and the immigrant visa applicant wants to transfer the case to another location, the applicant should contact the NVC rather than the consular section directly.
Online Procedure for Non-immigrant Visa Applicants
Most nonimmigrant visa applicants should complete several steps before attending a visa interview.
Step 1: Complete the DS-160
For most nonimmigrant visa applicants, the first step is to complete Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. Each applicant must complete a separate form.
After submitting Form DS-160, save or print the confirmation page with the barcode. You will need the DS-160 confirmation number when scheduling your visa appointment.
Step 2: Determine Where You Will Apply
Before creating your visa appointment profile in the scheduling system, determine the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you are eligible to apply.
Applicants should generally apply in their country of nationality or residence. Check the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for current local instructions. The U.S. Department of State also provides a list of visa-issuing posts and the services available at each location.
Step 3: Create a Visa Appointment Profile
Use the official visa scheduling system for the country where you will apply. For many countries, the appointment process is handled through the U.S. visa scheduling system.
Applicants should follow country-specific instructions rather than rely on an outdated country grouping or a third-party appointment process.
For India, applicants should use the current India-specific U.S. visa scheduling instructions and support channels.
Step 4: Pay the Visa Application Fee
The visa application fee, commonly referred to as the MRV fee for nonimmigrant visas, is generally non-refundable.
Current U.S. Department of State fees include:
| Visa category | Current application fee |
| B – Visitor | $185 |
| F – Student | $185 |
| M – Vocational Student | $185 |
| J – Exchange Visitor | $185 |
| H – Temporary Worker | $205 |
| L – Intracompany Transferee | $205 |
| O – Extraordinary Ability | $205 |
| P – Athlete/Artist/Entertainer | $205 |
| Q – Cultural Exchange | $205 |
| R – Religious Worker | $205 |
Current visa application processing fees are subject to change. Some applicants may be exempt from the fee. Some approved applicants may also need to pay a separate visa issuance or reciprocity fee depending on nationality and visa classification.
Always verify the applicable fee before making a payment.
Step 5: Schedule Your Appointment
After creating your visa appointment profile and completing the required fee payment process, follow the instructions in the scheduling system to select an available appointment.
Depending on the location and visa category, you may be required to complete:
- A biometric appointment for fingerprints and photographs
- A visa interview with a consular officer
- Passport or document submission for applicants eligible for an interview waiver or other special processing
The exact appointment procedure may differ by country and visa category.
Step 6: Check Visa Appointment Wait Times
Visa appointment availability changes frequently.
The Department of State publishes estimated visa appointment wait times through its Global Visa Wait Times system. Applicants should check the latest information for the location where they intend to apply.
Appointment slots may be added periodically. Therefore, if an earlier appointment is needed, applicants should continue checking the scheduling system after booking an appointment.
Important: Published wait times are estimates and do not guarantee that an appointment will be available on a particular date.
Information You Should Keep Ready
Before creating your visa appointment profile, have the following information available:
- Valid passport
- DS-160 confirmation number
- Visa application fee payment information or receipt
- Email address used for the visa application
- U.S. visa category
- Previous U.S. visa information, if applicable
- Previous U.S. travel and visa information, if applicable
- Petition information, when applicable
- SEVIS information for F, M, and J applicants
- Additional information required for your visa category
Temporary Employment Visa Applicants
Applicants for petition-based temporary employment visas such as H-1B and L-1 should keep their approved petition information available.
For example, an H-1B applicant may need information from the Form I-797 approval notice, including the petition receipt number.
F and M Students
Students applying for F or M visas should have the SEVIS ID from their Form I-20 available.
J Exchange Visitors
J visa applicants should have the SEVIS ID from their Form DS-2019 available.
Immigrant Visa Applicants
Immigrant visa applicants generally receive scheduling instructions through the NVC after their case is ready for interview scheduling.
Applicants should follow the instructions provided by the NVC and the designated U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Biometrics and Visa Interview
Depending on the country and visa category, applicants may be required to attend a separate appointment for fingerprints and photographs before the consular interview.
The appointment process differs by country. Applicants should not assume that biometrics and the visa interview will always be scheduled in the same way or on the same day.
For example, U.S. visa procedures in India include Visa Application Center (VAC) processing for required fingerprints and photographs. Current instructions should be reviewed before attending the appointment.
Interview Waiver
Some applicants may qualify for an interview waiver or another simplified application procedure depending on their visa category, age, previous visa history, and other eligibility requirements.
Eligibility rules can change, and a consular officer may still require an interview even when an applicant initially appears eligible for an interview waiver.
Applicants should review the current instructions for the country where they are applying before scheduling or submitting their documents.
What Should You Bring to the Visa Appointment?
The exact document requirements depend on the visa category and location.
Generally, applicants should bring:
- Valid passport
- DS-160 confirmation page
- Appointment confirmation
- Visa fee payment information, when applicable
- Photograph, if required under the local procedure
- Supporting documents relevant to the visa category
- Previous U.S. passports or visas, if applicable
- Petition approval documentation for petition-based visas
- Form I-20 for F/M applicants
- Form DS-2019 for J applicants
- Additional documents specifically requested by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate
Applicants should check the website of the specific U.S. Embassy or Consulate for the current document checklist.
Expedited Visa Appointment
If you have an urgent need to travel, check if the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you are applying offers expedited appointments.
The Department of State announced a pilot expedited appointment program for certain B visa applicants at select locations. Eligible applicants may be able to pay an additional fee for an expedited interview, subject to availability and program requirements.
The pilot is currently scheduled to run through December 31, 2026. Applicants must first follow the regular process, including paying the standard visa application fee and scheduling an appointment.
Availability and eligibility vary by location.
Passport Return and Delivery
After the visa interview, your passport may be returned through the delivery or pickup method available in the country where you applied.
The passport return procedure varies by location. Applicants should review the current instructions in their visa scheduling profile and on the relevant U.S. Embassy or Consulate website.
Do not assume that passports can be collected directly from the U.S. Consulate. Follow the current local passport delivery instructions.
Important Tips Before Scheduling
Before scheduling your U.S. visa appointment, keep the following tips in mind:
- Apply in the appropriate country. Nonimmigrant applicants should generally apply in their country of nationality or residence.
- Check the official website before paying the fee. Visa fees, appointment procedures, and local requirements may change.
- Use the correct DS-160 confirmation number. Make sure the information in your visa appointment profile matches your DS-160.
- Do not rely solely on published wait times. Appointment slots may be added or changed, and published wait times are estimates.
- Check the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website. Local procedures for biometrics, interview waivers, document submission, and passport delivery vary.
- Keep your appointment confirmation. Save or print the confirmation information and bring it with you as instructed.
- Avoid making irreversible travel arrangements based only on an appointment date. Visa issuance is not guaranteed, and administrative processing may take additional time.
Important: Visa appointment procedures, fees, interview waiver rules, processing locations, and appointment availability may change. Applicants should verify the latest instructions with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where they will apply before submitting payment or scheduling an appointment.
