Booking a visa appointment

The order of steps before you can book

• Complete and submit Form DS-160 online and save the confirmation page with the barcode.
• Pay the MRV visa application fee ($185, $205 or $315 depending on category); keep the receipt number.
• Create or log in to your account on the appointment system used by the post in your country.
• Choose the first available interview slot, and (for students/exchange visitors) pay the separate SEVIS I-901 fee before the interview.
• Check whether your case requires two visits (some posts collect biometrics/fingerprints at a separate appointment) or a single combined appointment.

Why wait times vary by post

The time between paying the fee and getting an interview slot depends on each embassy or consulate's workload and staffing, so it can differ sharply from one city or country to another and can move week to week. The State Department publishes estimated wait times by location and visa category and updates them regularly.

Posts release additional slots on a rolling basis, so if the first available date is far out you can keep checking and move your appointment earlier when a closer slot opens. Some posts also offer expedited or emergency appointment requests for urgent, qualifying reasons; eligibility and processes are set locally.

• Wait-time estimates are for interview scheduling only and do not include later administrative processing.
• Book early: for time-sensitive travel or study start dates, do not assume a slot will be available soon.
• Confirm the current estimate on the official wait-times page rather than relying on figures shared informally.

Interview waiver ("dropbox") eligibility

Some applicants can be approved without an in-person interview, a route often called the interview waiver or "dropbox." Under State Department guidance in effect from September 18, 2025, the categories that may qualify are narrow. Consular officers can still require an interview in any individual case.

• Diplomatic and official-type applicants and certain international-organization categories.
• Applicants renewing a B-1, B-2 or B-1/B-2 visitor visa (or Border Crossing Card) within 12 months of the prior visa's expiry, where the prior visa was full-validity and the applicant was 18 or older when it was issued.
• Applicants renewing an H-2A visa within 12 months under similar conditions.
• In general you must apply in your country of nationality or usual residence and have no prior visa refusal that was not overcome or waived.
• Rules on interview waivers have changed repeatedly; confirm current eligibility on the official update page and your local post's website before assuming you qualify.

Preparing for the booking

• Have your passport, DS-160 confirmation number and fee receipt number ready before you start scheduling.
• Enter your name and details exactly as they appear in your passport to avoid problems at the interview.
• Note the interview location if the post uses more than one facility, and allow time for security screening on the day.
• If you must change plans, reschedule through the appointment system rather than simply missing the slot; rules on how many times you can reschedule are set by the post.

Costs to expect around the appointment

Budget for more than just the MRV fee. Students and exchange visitors pay the SEVIS I-901 fee in addition to the visa application fee. Some nationalities also pay a visa issuance (reciprocity) fee only if the visa is approved, and amounts vary by country and category. A limited expedited-appointment pilot for B visitor visas has been offered at some posts for an extra fee to secure a faster interview, subject to availability. Always confirm which charges apply to you on the official fees page.