How to Find and Check US Visa Appointment Dates in India

Where to check for open appointment slots

The US State Department runs a single online system where you can see which dates are actually available at each US embassy and consulate in India. That system is the Visa Appointment Service, and it is the only place that shows real, current openings. You do not need to contact the embassy by phone or email first — the website itself tells you whether slots exist.

Go to ais.usvisa-india.com. This is the official appointment portal for all US visa categories in India. When you land on the site, you will see a list of Indian cities with US visa services: New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore. Each city has its own schedule, and availability varies widely between them.

You do not need a visa application already submitted to check dates. You can look at the calendar before you have filled out your DS-160 form or paid any fees. This is useful if you want to know whether appointments exist before you commit to the application process.

Key Takeaways

• Open appointment dates appear on ais.usvisa-india.com, which is updated in real time and is the only official source for current availability.
• Each of the six Indian cities (New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore) has a separate schedule, and dates fill at different speeds.
• You can check available dates without logging in or having started your application, so you can see what you are working with before you pay fees.
• Appointment slots are released in batches, and new dates typically appear on weekday mornings India Standard Time, though the exact timing is not published.
• If no dates show for your chosen city, the next step is to check again the following day or switch to a different city if your visa category allows it.

How the appointment calendar actually works

When you open the Visa Appointment Service and select your city, you will see a calendar. Dates that have open slots appear in blue or are clickable. Dates that are fully booked appear greyed out or are not clickable. The calendar shows dates roughly three to six months ahead, though this range shifts as new dates are released and old ones fill.

The system does not show you how many slots remain on any given date — only whether at least one slot exists. If a date is blue and clickable, there is at least one opening, but you will not know if it is the only one or if dozens remain until you actually select that date and try to book.

Dates fill quickly for popular visa categories and popular cities. New Delhi and Mumbai typically fill faster than smaller cities like Kolkata or Hyderabad. If you are flexible about location, checking all six cities can reveal dates that are not available in your preferred city.

When new appointment dates are released

The State Department does not publish a fixed schedule for when new dates appear. However, users and visa agencies have observed that new slots tend to be released on weekday mornings, often between 6 AM and 10 AM India Standard Time. This is not may provide, and the timing varies.

The release pattern also depends on visa demand and staffing at each location. During peak seasons (summer months, December holidays, and periods after visa policy changes), new dates may be released more frequently but also fill faster. During slower periods, fewer new dates may appear.

If you see no available dates for your city, check again the next morning. If dates remain unavailable for more than a week, it may mean that particular location is experiencing a backlog or staffing shortage. In that case, you can either wait or explore whether you can travel to a different city for your appointment.

What to do if your preferred date is fully booked

If the dates you want are not available, you have three practical options. First, check the other five Indian cities. If your visa category is not location-restricted, you can book in any city and travel there for your appointment. Smaller cities like Bangalore or Hyderabad often have more open dates than New Delhi or Mumbai.

Second, check the calendar again the next day and the day after. New dates are released regularly, and if you are flexible by even a week or two, you will likely find something. Set a phone reminder to check at the same time each morning so you do not miss a release.

Third, if you have already submitted your DS-160 form and paid your visa fee, you can use the Reschedule Appointment option on the Visa Appointment Service to move to a newly available date once it appears. You do not pay again — you are just moving your existing appointment to a new slot.

What information you need before you book

To select and confirm an appointment date on the Visa Appointment Service, you will need your passport number and your DS-160 confirmation number. The DS-160 is the online nonimmigrant visa application form. You do not have to complete it before you check available dates, but you will need to complete it before you can actually book a slot.

You will also need to have paid your visa fee. The fee amount depends on your visa category (tourist, work, student, etc.) and is paid through a separate system before you book your appointment. If you have not paid yet, you can still browse available dates, but you cannot reserve one until payment is complete.

Have your passport in front of you when you log in to book, because the system will ask you to confirm details from it. Make sure the information matches exactly — spelling, date of birth, passport number — or the appointment will not be confirmed.

Rescheduling if you need to change your date later

If you have already booked an appointment but need to move it, the Visa Appointment Service allows you to reschedule without paying again. Log back into the system using your passport number and DS-160 confirmation number, find your existing appointment, and select the option to reschedule. You will then see the calendar again and can choose a new available date.

Rescheduling is free, but you can only reschedule a limited number of times. The exact limit depends on your visa category and the embassy's current policy, but it is typically two to three times. After that, you may have to cancel and start over, which would require paying the visa fee again.

If you reschedule and then cannot make the new date, cancel as soon as you know. This frees up the slot for someone else and may allow you to rebook later if needed. Cancellations are also free.

What happens after you book your appointment date

Once you have selected and confirmed your appointment date and time, the system will show you a confirmation page with your appointment details. Print this page or save it as a PDF — you will need to bring it to your appointment. The confirmation includes your appointment date, time, location, and a barcode or reference number.

You will also receive a confirmation email at the address you provided. Check your spam folder if you do not see it in your inbox. Keep this email for your records.

Arrive at the embassy or consulate at least 15 minutes before your appointment time. Bring your passport, the printed appointment confirmation, your DS-160 confirmation page, and any documents required for your specific visa category. Security screening happens at the entrance, and lines can be long even if your appointment is confirmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check appointment dates without creating an account?

Yes. You can view the calendar and see which dates are open without logging in. You only need to log in with your passport number and DS-160 confirmation number when you are ready to actually book a specific date.

What if I see a date available but it disappears before I can book it?

Dates fill very quickly, especially in major cities. If a date you want disappears, check again tomorrow morning. New dates are released regularly. If you want to move faster, consider booking in a smaller city where competition for slots is lower.

Do I have to book an appointment in the city where I live?

No. You can book in any of the six Indian cities where US visa services operate, regardless of where you live. Choose based on which location has available dates that work for you and which city you can travel to.

What if no dates are available anywhere in India?

This is rare but can happen during very high-demand periods. Check again daily for a week. If dates remain unavailable, contact the US embassy or consulate in your preferred city through their website to ask about the timeline. Some locations post notices about appointment availability on their pages.

Can I book multiple appointments at the same time?

No. The system allows one active appointment per person at a time. If you need to book for family members, each person must have their own DS-160 form, visa fee payment, and appointment slot.