How do I schedule a US visa appointment?
In short
- Complete the DS-160 form online, pay the 185 USD visa fee, and book your interview through the official US visa portal for your country (usually ustraveldocs.com or ais.usvisa-info.com).
- Wait times vary widely by location - some embassies offer slots within weeks, while others take several months. Plan and book early.
- Most applicants must attend an in-person interview at a US embassy or consulate, with a valid passport, DS-160 confirmation, and supporting documents.
Scheduling a US visa appointment - step by step
Step 1 - Complete the DS-160 form
Fill out the DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application form on the official Consular Electronic Application Center website (ceac.state.gov). Save your application ID and print the confirmation page with the barcode - you will need it at every later step.
Step 2 - Pay the visa application fee
Pay the 185 USD non-immigrant visa application fee through the visa portal for your country. The fee is non-refundable, even if your application is denied or you cancel your appointment.
Step 3 - Create a profile on the US visa portal
Visit ustraveldocs.com or the appropriate visa appointment portal for your country (such as ais.usvisa-info.com). Create a new profile, link your DS-160 confirmation number, and confirm your fee payment.
Step 4 - Schedule your interview
Select an available appointment slot at the US embassy or consulate nearest you. If biometrics are required separately, you may need to attend a Visa Application Center appointment first, before your interview.
Step 5 - Prepare your documents
Bring your passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay), DS-160 confirmation page, fee receipt, photo, and supporting documents proving your travel purpose, financial means, and ties to your home country.
Where to schedule your appointment
For most countries, US visa appointments are scheduled through ustraveldocs.com. Some countries use ais.usvisa-info.com. Always start at travel.state.gov and follow the link to the embassy in your country to make sure you are using the correct portal.
Wait times and rescheduling
Use the wait time tool on travel.state.gov to estimate your interview wait. If your appointment is far out and you need to travel sooner, you can request expedited processing for emergencies, urgent business, or medical reasons.
Once you have your visa, trip1 makes booking US hotels easy with crypto payment options - you can pay with Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDC, and many more.
Related articles
Schedule a US visa appointment - FAQ
Wait times vary widely by location and visa category. Some embassies offer appointments within a few weeks, while others have backlogs of several months. Check the official wait time tracker on travel.state.gov for current estimates.
Yes, but availability is limited. Embassies prioritize their own residents, and applying outside your country of residence is treated as a third-country national application with stricter eligibility rules.
The DS-160 is the online nonimmigrant visa application form required for most US visa categories. You complete it on the official Consular Electronic Application Center website, then bring the confirmation page to your interview.
The standard US B-1/B-2 tourist visa application fee is 185 USD. The fee is non-refundable, even if your visa is denied or you cancel your appointment.
Still need help?
Our support team is ready to assist you with any questions.
Still need help?
Our support team is ready to assist you with any questions.