How to Use the US Visa Appointment Scheduling Portal

What the portal does and where to find it

The US visa appointment scheduling portal is the official system where you book your in-person interview at a US embassy or consulate. You do not apply for a visa through this portal — you use it only to schedule the appointment after your application has been accepted and you have received a case number. The portal is run by the State Department and is specific to the country where you are applying.

To reach the portal, go to the official State Department website for your country. Search for "[your country] visa appointment scheduling" or look for a link labeled "Schedule an Appointment" on the embassy or consulate website. Each country has its own portal with its own login system, so you cannot use a US portal account to book an appointment in another country.

The portal shows you available appointment dates at the specific embassy or consulate where you applied. It does not show dates at other locations, and you cannot transfer an appointment between posts once it is booked.

Key Takeaways

• You can only use the scheduling portal after your visa application has been processed and you have received a case number from the consulate.
• Each country's portal is separate, and you log in with the case number and passport number you received when your application was accepted.
• The portal shows only the dates available at the specific embassy or consulate where you applied, and you cannot change locations after booking.
• Available appointment dates vary widely by location and visa type, and some posts have wait times of several months.
• If you cannot attend your scheduled appointment, you must cancel through the portal at least 48 hours in advance to free up the slot.

How to log in and find your appointment slot

To log into the portal, you will need two pieces of information: your case number and your passport number. Your case number was sent to you by email or SMS when the consulate received and processed your visa application. If you did not receive it, check your spam folder or contact the consulate directly — do not guess or create a number.

Once you log in, the portal will show you a calendar of available dates. The dates shown depend on the visa type you applied for, the current workload at that post, and staffing. Some consulates update their available dates weekly; others update monthly. If you see no dates available, check back in a few days or a week, depending on the post's schedule.

When you find a date that works for you, select it and confirm. You will receive a confirmation email with your appointment time, the address of the consulate, and a list of documents to bring. Save this email — you will need to show it when you arrive for your interview.

What happens if no appointments are available

If the portal shows no available dates, it means the consulate has no interview slots open at this moment. This does not mean you have been rejected or that your application is stuck. It means the post is fully booked and is not releasing new dates yet.

Check the portal again after a few days. Many posts release new dates in batches — sometimes weekly, sometimes monthly. The frequency depends on the consulate's staffing and interview capacity. Some posts post a schedule showing when they expect to release dates next; if yours does, that information is usually on the main embassy website.

If you have been waiting a long time and the portal still shows no dates, you can contact the consulate's visa section by phone or email to ask about the timeline. Be prepared to provide your case number. They cannot book an appointment for you, but they can tell you whether your application is still being processed and when they expect to open new appointment slots.

Canceling or rescheduling your appointment

If you need to change your appointment date, log back into the portal using your case number and passport number. You will see your current appointment listed. Select the option to cancel or reschedule. If you cancel, your slot opens up for another applicant, and you can then book a different date if one is available.

You must cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled appointment time. If you cancel with less notice or do not show up without canceling, some posts may require you to reapply and pay the visa fee again. Check your confirmation email or the consulate website for the specific cancellation policy at your post.

If you reschedule through the portal, you will receive a new confirmation email with your updated appointment time. Bring this new confirmation to your interview, not the old one.

What to bring to your appointment

Your confirmation email from the portal will list the documents required for your specific visa type. Bring the original confirmation email or a printed copy. You will also need your passport, the visa application form you submitted (usually DS-160 for most visa types), and any supporting documents listed in your confirmation.

Arrive at the consulate at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time. You will go through security screening before entering the building. Leave prohibited items at home — the consulate website lists what is not allowed, but generally phones, cameras, and large bags are not permitted in the interview area.

The interview itself is conducted by a consular officer who will ask you questions about your application, your travel plans, and your ties to your home country. The officer will make a decision on your visa during or shortly after the interview. You will be told whether you are approved, denied, or if additional documents are needed.

If you miss your appointment or need to reschedule last-minute

If you miss your appointment without canceling, contact the consulate's visa section immediately. Some posts will allow you to reschedule if you have a legitimate reason for missing the appointment. Others may require you to reapply and pay the visa fee again. The policy varies by post.

If you know you cannot make your appointment but it is less than 48 hours away, call the consulate's visa line right away. Explain your situation. Even if you cannot cancel through the portal in time, calling ahead may prevent your application from being marked as abandoned.

Do not simply not show up. A no-show without cancellation can result in your application being denied and may affect future visa applications to the United States.

Troubleshooting login and technical problems

If you forget your case number, check your original email from the consulate or your visa application confirmation. If you cannot find it, contact the consulate's visa section and provide your full name, date of birth, and passport number. They can look up your case number for you.

If the portal is not loading or you are getting an error message, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then log in again. If the problem persists, try a different browser or device. The portal works best on Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.

If you are locked out of the portal after multiple failed login attempts, wait a few hours before trying again. The system temporarily locks accounts for security reasons. If you remain locked out after several hours, contact the consulate's technical support or visa section for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I schedule an appointment before my visa application is processed?

No. You can only log into the scheduling portal after the consulate has processed your application and sent you a case number. If you try to log in before that, the portal will not recognize your information. Wait for the consulate to contact you with your case number before attempting to schedule.

Can I book an appointment at a different consulate than the one where I applied?

No. The portal only shows appointments at the specific post where you submitted your application. If you need to change the location, you must contact the consulate and ask about transferring your case. Not all posts allow transfers, and some charge a fee.

What if I see an appointment date but it disappears when I try to book it?

Another applicant booked that slot at the same time you did. The portal releases dates on a first-come, first-served basis. Check back in a few days for new dates to be released. If you are in a hurry, call the consulate to ask when they expect to post more appointments.

Do I need to pay the visa fee again if I reschedule my appointment?

No. You pay the visa fee once when you submit your application. Rescheduling through the portal does not require an additional fee. If your application is denied and you reapply, you will need to pay the fee again.

Can someone else log into the portal and schedule an appointment for me?

The portal requires your case number and passport number to log in. Technically, someone else could log in with that information, but it is safer to do it yourself. You will need to provide your confirmation email to the consulate if there are any questions about your appointment, so keeping control of your account is simpler.