How to Schedule U.S. Visa Appointment (Latest Update and Useful Tips)

Once your U.S. visa application is ready, it’s time to move to the next crucial step – to schedule U.S. visa appointment. It sounds straightforward enough, but a careless mistake may cost you an appointment or even a visa. In this guide, Thao & Co. will walk you through:

1. ● How to schedule a U.S. visa appointment
2. ● Step-by-step guide to reschedule your U.S. visa appointment
3. ● Pro tips for a successful booking

What Do You Need to Schedule a U.S. Visa Appointment?

To book a visa appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate General, make sure to prepare:

1. ☑️ Your passport and copies (Your passport should have a minimum validity period of 60 days with at least 2 blank pages.)
2. ☑️ Email address
3. ☑️ DS-160 confirmation number
4. ☑️ Visa application fee payment receipt

💡 Learn more about U.S. visa types here!

The Ultimate Guide to Scheduling a U.S. Visa Interview Online

From September 28th, 2024, interview scheduling, along with many other U.S. visa services, is done through the new web portal. We at Thao & Co. have compiled a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the new visa appointment system.

Step 1: Get started by creating a new account

1. ● Visit usvisascheduling.com.
2. ● Click on “Sign up now” to create a new account.

⚠️ Notice: If you have an account on the old portal, you’ll need to sign up again with the same email address.

Step 2: Fill in all required information  

⚠️ Notice: For each “Select Security Question” field, choose one question from the drop-down list of five. Remember the exact wording and punctuation you used for each answer – you’ll need them later. E.g.

1. ● What elementary school did you attend? (For Security Question 1)
2. ● What high school did you attend? (For Security Question 2)
3. ● What is your sibling’s middle name? (For Security Question 3)

Click “Create” once you’re finished.

Step 3: Log in to your account

1. ● Fill in your login details, then click “Sign In“:

1. ● Provide the exact answers to the security questions:

1. ● Click “Continue.”

Step 4: Accept terms and conditions

1. ● Carefully read and review the System Use and Privacy Policy before ticking the checkbox next to “I have read and understood the System Use and Privacy Policy.”
2. ● Click “Continue.”

Step 5: Complete your profile

1. ● Contact email: Enter your current email address.
2. ● Preferred language: Select the language of the website.
3. ● Country: Select your country (e.g., Vietnam).

Click “Submit” to proceed.

Step 6: Click on “Start Application“

Step 7: Enter your personal details:

When you’re done, click “Submit” to continue.

Step 8: Fill in the Visa Option page Specify the following details of your visa application:

1. ● Visa Type: Select either “Non-Immigrant” or “Immigrant.”
2. ● Embassy/Consulate/OFC: Select the embassy or consulate where you plan to submit your application (e.g., HO CHI MINH CITY NIV).
3. ● Post Visa Category: Choose the visa category that matches your purpose of travel (e.g. Business/Tourism).
4. ● Visa Class Tag: Select the correct visa classification (e.g., B1/B2).

Click “Next” to proceed.

Step 9: Fill in the DS Form Confirmation Number

1. ● Enter the confirmation number from your DS-160 (for non-immigrant visas) or DS-260 (for immigrant visas).
2. ● Answer additional questions.

💡 Need help with filling in the DS-160 Form? Check out our easy-to-follow guide!

Step 10: Specify Document Delivery Options Select your preferred method:

1. ● Delivery to home or office.
2. ● Premium pickup (check the list of designated courier locations in Vietnam).
3. ● Free-of-charge pickup (not applicable to J visas under exchange programs by the U.S. government) at either of these locations in Vietnam:

1. 1. + In Hanoi: Thanh Xuan EMS Office.
   2. + In HCMC: 18A Cong Hoa Office.

1. ● Express delivery to your home or office.

⚠️ Notice: Supply the NVC/KCC case number if applying for an immigrant visa.

Step 11: Pay the visa application fee

1. ● In the Payment Type section, select Cash to make payment at the post office, or choose Credit/Debit. Then, click “Submit.”
2. ● Enter the required information in the Billing Information section:

1. ● Confirm your payment, then return to the Visa Application Homepage and select “Continue Application.”
2. ● Double-check the Confirm Receipt section before clicking “Submit.”

Step 12: Schedule a visa interview appointment You can schedule a U.S. visa appointment after 11 AM on the next business day following the payment.

1. ● Sign in and select “Make an Appointment.”
2. ● Look at the calendar: Available appointment dates have a green outline.

1. ● Choose your preferred date and time, then confirm by clicking “Dispatch.”
2. ● Print out your interview appointment letter.

Rescheduling Your U.S. Visa Appointment: Important Considerations

You should only reschedule a visa appointment in emergency. Your first change of schedule is typically free of charge. After that, a new application fee is required.

This information primarily applies to immigrant visas, as very few nonimmigrant visa applicants could get approval to change their appointment.

💡 5 Reasons Your U.S. Student Visa Gets Refused. Learn more to avoid the pitfalls!

Here’s how to reschedule your U.S. immigrant visa interview:

1. 1️⃣ Log in to your account at usvisascheduling.com.
2. 2️⃣ Continue with “Start Application.”
3. 3️⃣ Complete all required fields on the Applicant Details page, then click “Submit.”
4. 4️⃣ Fill in the Visa Options page:

1. 1. + Visa Type: Select “Immigrant.”
   2. + Embassy/Consulate/OFC: Select a location (e.g., HO CHI MINH CITY IV).
   3. + Post Visa Category: Choose “HCM Reschedule Immigrant Visa Appointment.”
   4. + Visa Class Tag: Choose the appropriate visa classification.

1. 5️⃣ Click “Continue” to proceed.
2. 6️⃣ Enter your DS-260 Confirmation Number.
3. 7️⃣ Click “Continue.”
4. 8️⃣ Repeat the steps to schedule a visa appointment.

💡 Check out: Ultimate Guide to U.S. Tourist Visa Interview Questions!

How to Schedule a U.S. Appointment Smoothly?

1. ● Book your appointment only once during your visa application process.

1. ● Provide current and accurate information.

1. ● If you rescheduled your appointment, take the previous interview letter with you as proof of identity.

1. ● Your appointment will be locked 48 hours before the scheduled date.

1. ● If you have any changes of plan, cancel or reschedule another one at least three days before the current appointment.

1. ● The appointment confirmation number must match that on your DS-160 or DS-260 form.

1. ● You must not reschedule an immigrant visa interview if:
   1. + You’ve already been interviewed.
   2. + You haven’t contacted the U.S. Embassy or Consulate as the principal applicant for a year.
   3. + Your application is still on the waiting line. This may happen due to delays in processing or changes in visa category.
   4. + You’ve switched your visa category.

Expert Translation Services for Your U.S. Visa Application

During the interview, the consular officials will closely review your documents and collate them with your responses before making the final decision. Therefore, each and every detail in your US visa application must be translated with absolute accuracy and professionalism.

Thao & Co. Translation Company is the perfect choice for a precise and clean translation. To us, quality is a guarantee, not an afterthought. Our comprehensive certified translation services meet all USCIS standards.

Work with us and benefit from:

1. 🎓 A seasoned team of linguists with degrees in English and expertise in legal translation.
2. 🪶 Assistance with filling in your visa application (upon request).
3. 💻 Streamlined workflow with real-time progress update.
4. ⚡ Transparent pricing and 48-hour turnaround.
5. 💎 Secure and proprietary platform that protects your confidentiality.

📞 Do you need assistance with applying for a U.S. visa? Reach out to us via our Get a Quote form and let our professional consultants handle the rest.