Updated: Nov 28, 2023
There are a number websites in existence that offer appointment scheduling with a given US embassy, however you need to make sure you schedule your appointment at the right website for the US embassy location nearest to you. It can be confusing to determine which of the many US government run websites is the right one to schedule your embassy appointment, (or embassy interview as others may interchangeably call it). Furthermore, many of the legitimate appointment scheduling sites don't appear as though they are official, which makes it even harder to be sure if you're on the correct website. You should also be mindful of other non-US government run websites, which you may be unwillingly tricked into over-paying a third party provider to act on your behalf in scheduling your interview for you. These providers often add a service fee on top of the US government schedule fee of $185 USD (as of August 2023).
Scheduling an appointment for a visa interview is an important step in the U.S. visa application process. The exact procedure can vary depending on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will be applying, as well as your country of residence. However, here is a general guideline that should provide you with a good starting point:
Complete the DS-160 Form: Before you can schedule an appointment, you must fill out the DS-160 form online. After completion, you'll receive a DS-160 confirmation page with a barcode. Print this page or save it as a PDF, as you'll need to present it during your interview.
Pay the Visa Application Fee: The non-refundable visa application fee varies depending on the type of visa for which you're applying. Payment methods also differ by country but may include online payments, cash payments at designated banks, or through a service like CGI Federal.
Create a Profile: Most U.S. Embassies and Consulates require you to create an online profile on their appointment scheduling website.
Log In: Once the profile is created, log in and navigate to the 'Schedule Appointment' option.
Choose Visa Type: Select the appropriate visa classification that corresponds with your reason for travel.
Enter DS-160 Confirmation Number: You'll be prompted to enter the DS-160 confirmation number, which can be found on the DS-160 confirmation page.
Select Location: Choose the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you'd like to schedule your interview. Keep in mind that you usually need to apply in the country where you are a resident.
Choose Date and Time: Once you've provided all the necessary information, you'll see a calendar with available interview slots. Choose the most convenient date and time for your appointment.
Confirm Appointment: Review all the details to make sure they are correct and confirm the appointment.
Appointment Confirmation: After successfully scheduling, print or save the appointment confirmation page, which you will need to bring to your interview, along with other required documents.
Wait Times: Depending on the time of year and the specific U.S. Embassy or Consulate, appointment wait times can vary significantly. Check the estimated wait times in advance and plan accordingly.
Rescheduling: If you need to reschedule, you can usually do so by logging back into your profile on the appointment scheduling website.
Required Documents: Make sure to gather all the necessary documents, which typically include your passport, DS-160 confirmation page, appointment confirmation page, visa application fee receipt, and any other documents relevant to your visa type (e.g., employment letters, travel itinerary, etc.).
Dependents: If family members are applying for visas as your dependents, you may be able to schedule a group appointment.
By following these steps and preparing thoroughly, you'll be well on your way to obtaining your U.S. visa. Always consult the specific U.S. Embassy or Consulate's website where you plan to apply for the most accurate and localized instructions.
In order to assist users who are looking to schedule an appointment at their nearest US embassy, we've created a list of US government sites that you will need to use to schedule your US embassy appointment, based on your location. Please be mindful that only after you have submitted your DS-160 form, should you then proceed to schedule your US embassy appointment and pay the necessary $185 USD fee. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us.
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