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.