How to Book Your US Visa Appointment

Where to book your US visa appointment depends on which country you're in

You book a US visa appointment through the State Department's official visa scheduling system, called Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC), but the actual website you use varies by country. The US State Department does not run a single global booking portal. Instead, each US embassy and consulate uses its own scheduling system, and you access it through that specific location's website.

Start by going to the State Department's main visa website at travel.state.gov and finding your country. From there, you'll be directed to your nearest embassy or consulate's scheduling page. That page will tell you whether appointments are currently available, how far out you can book, and what documents you need to bring.

The scheduling system itself is usually straightforward once you're on the right page: you create an account, fill in your visa category and personal information, pay the visa fee (if required for your visa type), and then select an available date and time. Some countries have long waits; others have appointments available within weeks. The wait depends entirely on how many people are applying at that location and how many visa officers are working there.

Key Takeaways

• You book through your country's specific US embassy or consulate website, not through a single US government portal.
• Find the correct website by starting at travel.state.gov, selecting your country, and following the link to your nearest embassy's scheduling system.
• You'll need a valid passport, your DS-160 form confirmation number, and payment for the visa fee before you can book.
• Appointment availability and wait times vary dramatically by location and change month to month, so check the specific embassy site for current dates.
• Some countries require you to create an account and pay the fee before you can see available appointment slots.

What you need before you can book

Have your passport ready and make sure it's valid for at least six months beyond your intended travel date. You'll need the passport number and expiration date when you create your account.

You also need your DS-160 confirmation number. This is the form you fill out online before booking the appointment—it's the official nonimmigrant visa application. You complete it at ceac.state.gov/genniv, and the system gives you a confirmation number at the end. Save this number; you'll enter it when you book. If you've already submitted a DS-160 for a previous visa application, you may be able to reuse it depending on your visa type and how long ago you submitted it.

Finally, know the visa fee for your category. Most nonimmigrant visas (tourist, student, work) cost $160 USD, but some visa types cost more or less. The embassy website for your country will list the exact fee and tell you which payment methods they accept. Many locations require you to pay before you can see available appointment dates.

Step-by-step: finding and booking your appointment

Go to travel.state.gov/visa and select "Visa Types" or look for a link that says "Schedule an Appointment." You'll see a list of countries. Click on yours.

The country page will show you which embassy or consulate handles visa appointments for your area. Some large countries have multiple locations; the page will tell you which one serves your city or region. Click on that embassy's link.

You'll land on that embassy's visa scheduling page. This is where the process differs by location. Some sites let you see available dates immediately; others require you to create an account and pay the fee first. Follow the prompts on that specific page. You'll enter your passport number, DS-160 confirmation number, and personal details. Then you'll pay the visa fee using the payment method the embassy accepts (usually credit card or bank transfer).

Once payment is confirmed, you'll see a calendar of available appointment dates. Select the date and time that works for you. The system will ask you to confirm your information one more time, and then you'll receive a confirmation email with your appointment details, including the date, time, location, and a list of documents to bring.

What to expect after you book

You'll receive a confirmation email immediately after booking. This email contains your appointment number, the exact address of the embassy or consulate, and the time you need to arrive. Arrive at least 15 minutes early. Bring this confirmation email with you, along with your passport and all the documents listed on the embassy's website for your visa type.

On the day of your appointment, you'll go through security screening and then meet with a visa officer. The officer will review your documents, ask you questions about your purpose for travel, and make a decision on the spot or tell you they need more information. If approved, they'll tell you when to pick up your passport with the visa stamped inside. If they need more documents, they'll tell you what to send and how.

Processing time after your interview varies. Some visas are approved the same day; others take weeks. The embassy will tell you the typical timeline for your visa type when you pick up your passport or when they contact you with a decision.

If no appointments are available at your location

If the calendar shows no open dates, the appointment slots for that location are full. This happens frequently in busy cities and countries with high visa demand. Check back regularly—some embassies release new slots weekly or monthly as cancellations come in or as staffing changes.

You can also contact the embassy directly to ask when they expect the next batch of appointments to open. The contact information is on the embassy's website. Some locations have a phone line or email address specifically for appointment questions, though wait times to reach someone can be long.

If you're flexible on location, you may be able to book at a different embassy or consulate in your country or a nearby country, depending on your visa type and the State Department's rules for your situation. Check the State Department website to see whether your visa type allows this.

Common reasons your booking might not go through

The most common issue is an incorrect or incomplete DS-160 form. If your confirmation number doesn't match what's in the system, the booking page will reject it. Double-check that you're entering the number exactly as it appears in your confirmation email, with no extra spaces.

Another frequent problem is a passport that's expiring soon. Most countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your stay. If your passport expires sooner, you may not be able to book until you renew it.

Payment failures also stop bookings. If your credit card is declined or your bank transfer doesn't go through, the system won't let you proceed to the calendar. Try a different payment method or contact your bank to make sure the transaction is allowed.

Finally, some visa types have restrictions on who can book and when. For example, if you're applying for a work visa, your employer may need to file paperwork first, or you may need to wait a certain amount of time after your previous visa expired. The embassy website for your country will explain any restrictions that apply to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book an appointment if I'm outside my home country?

Yes, but you must book at the embassy or consulate in the country where you're currently located, not the one in your home country. You'll need to be physically present at that location for your interview. Check the State Department website to see which embassy or consulate covers the country you're in.

What happens if I miss my appointment?

You'll forfeit your visa fee and have to book a new appointment. Some embassies may require you to wait a certain amount of time before you can rebook. Contact the embassy as soon as possible if you know you can't make it; some locations allow you to reschedule for a small fee rather than losing the entire amount.

Can someone else book an appointment for me?

No. You must create the account and book the appointment yourself using your own information and passport number. Some embassies offer visa application services through third-party agencies, but you still control the booking and must attend the interview in person.

How long does the appointment itself take?

The interview usually lasts 5 to 15 minutes, but you should plan to spend 1 to 3 hours at the embassy from arrival to departure. This includes security screening, waiting in line, and the interview itself. Arrive early and bring everything on the required documents list so you don't have to come back.

Can I change my appointment date after I book?

Most embassies allow you to reschedule through the same scheduling system where you booked. Log back in with your account details and look for a "reschedule" or "modify appointment" option. Some locations charge a small fee to reschedule; others don't. Check your embassy's specific policy on their website.