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Visit the U.S. as a tourist
Learn about travel documents to enter the U.S., including visa waivers and non-immigrant visas.
Visa Waiver Program and ESTA application
The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa.
How to apply for or renew a U.S. tourist visa
If you visit the U.S. for tourism or business, you may need a visitor visa, also known as a tourist visa. Learn how to get and renew this type of nonimmigrant visa.
How to check the status of your visa application
Find out how to check the status of your visa application online. And to avoid delays, learn how to update your address if you move while waiting for your visa to be approved.
What happens if your visa application is rejected
Find out what to do if your visa is denied, and learn if you are eligible for a waiver of grounds of inadmissibility.
COVID-19 international travel advisories
If you plan to visit the U.S., you do not need to be tested or vaccinated for COVID-19.
Entering the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda
See what travel documents you need to enter the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, or Bermuda.
Form I-94 arrival-departure record for U.S. visitors
Visa Waiver Program forms I-94 and I-94W record the arrival and departure dates of U.S. visitors.
How to extend your stay in the U.S.
You may be able to extend your stay in the U.S. Learn if you qualify and how to file for an extension.
Foreign visitors: what to do if your visa or passport is lost or stolen
If you are in the U.S. and your visa or passport was lost or stolen, learn how to report it and apply for a new one.
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भाषा परिवर्तन : Change to Nepali
Apply for a U.S. Visa
- Bank and Payment Options
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- Immigrant Visa Wait Times
- Travel Coordinator
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- Applicants under 14 years of age or age 80 and over
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You are here: Home / Schedule My Appointment
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Restrictions to changing appointments, more actions.
Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Citizens of qualified countries may be also able to visit the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program . If you do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program or are traveling to study, work, or participate in an exchange program, you must apply for a nonimmigrant visa.
Applicants for U.S. visas are required to appear in person for a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You must schedule an appointment for that interview, either online using this website or through the call center .
To schedule a nonimmigrant visa appointment, you must have the following information and documents available:
- A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must submit an application;
- Your visa application (MRV) fee payment receipt; Cash Deposit Receipt if paid in cash at NIMB Bank Branch, or the payment transaction detail downloaded from connectIPS after EFT payment;
- Your DS-160 confirmation page (please note, DS160 application cannot be reused. A new DS160 application needs to be filled for each time applicant appears for the visa Interview) ;
- Your e-mail address; and
- If applicable, required documents based on visa class (such as a petition approval for petition-based visas; more information about visa types and information about each can be found here ).
Applicants are limited to the number of times they can reschedule their appointments. Please plan accordingly so that you are not required to pay another visa application fee.
Schedule an appointment Change your appointment
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Update April 12, 2024
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Frequently Asked Questions
Visa Applicants - State Sponsors of Terrorism Countries
What is a U.S. Visa?
About Visas - The Basics
Rights and Protections for Foreign-Citizen Fiancé(e)s and Spouses of U.S. Citizens and Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents
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Reciprocity: What's New? 2023 Archive
Safety & Security of U.S. Borders: Biometrics
National Visa Center Customer Service Pledge
Americans Traveling Abroad
The United States and China Agree to Extending Visas for Short-term Business Travelers, Tourists, and Students
Special Visa Processing Procedures Pursuant to Section 306
Capitalizing on Visa Demand to Spur Economic Growth in the United States
Congressional Testimony
Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CRFP) Program Appointments
List of U.S. Embassies and Consulates - K1-K3 Visas
U.S. Government Fact Sheet on Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting (FGM/C)
Skill List by Country
Presidential Proclamation 9645 and the January 2020 Presidential Proclamation
Public Inquiry Form
List of U.S. Embassies and Consulates
Affidavit of Support Fee Refund
Immigrant Visa Prioritization
USCIS Extends Suspension of Premium Processing Service for Religious Workers (R-1) Nonimmigrant Visa Classification
Record Numbers of U.S. Students Are Studying Abroad
U.S. Student Visas Reach Record Numbers in 2007
U.S. security officials will begin scanning all 10 fingerprints of most non-Americans traveling to the United States
Electronic Submission of Diversity Visa Lottery Applications
USCIS Centralizes Filing for H-2A Petitions
USCIS Field Office Adopts Teletech Call Appointment System For Filing Waiver of Inadmissibility Applications
Application Fees for Non-Immigrant Visas to Increase on January 1, 2008
Senior Advisors to Brief Press on the Latest Developments in Iraqi Refugee and Special Immigrant Visa Issues
Briefing on Developments in the Iraqi Refugee and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Admissions Programs
DHS Proposes Changes to Improve H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program
Testimony of Stephen A. “Tony” Edson on U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Science Education, House Committee on Science and Technology
Update: Biometric Changes for Re-entry Permits and Refugee Travel Documents
With All the Talk about Illegal Immigration, a Look at the Legal Kind
Latvia, Estonia Sign Deals with US on Visa-Free Travel
Fact Sheet: Changes to the FY2009 H-1B Program
USCIS Announces Interim Rule on H-1B Visas
USCIS Releases Preliminary Number of FY 2009 H-1B Cap Filings
USCIS Extends Comment Period for Proposed Change to H-2A Program
USCIS Runs Random Selection Process for H-1B Petitions
17-Month Extension of Optional Practical Training for Certain Highly Skilled Foreign Students
DHS Begins Collecting 10 Fingerprints from International Visitors at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption Enters into Force
USCIS to Accept H-1B Petitions Sent to California or Vermont Service Centers Temporary Accommodation Made for FY 09 Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions
USCIS Revises Filing Instructions for Petition for Alien Relative
USCIS Announces Update for Processing Petitions for Nonimmigrant Victims of Criminal Activity
USCIS to Allow F-1 Students Opportunity to Request Change of Status
Immigration Tops Agenda at North American Summit
USCIS Issues Guidance for Approved Violence against Women Act (VAWA) Self-Petitioners
USCIS Modifies Application for Employment Authorization Previous Versions of Form I-765 Accepted until July 8, 2008
Overseas Education More Attainable for Chinese Students
New York Business Group Seeks Fewer Restrictions on Foreign Worker Visas
Admission to the United States and your Duration of Stay
Extension of stay, what if i decide to stay longer and am out-of-status with the department of homeland security.
Sometimes understanding the difference between the visa expiration date and the length of time you have permission to remain in the United States can be confusing. These are very different terms. Also review our “ What is a U.S. Visa ?” webpage.
- A U.S. visa in his/her passport gives a foreign citizen permission to apply to enter the United States. A visa by itself doesn’t authorize entry to the U.S. A visa simply indicates that your application has been reviewed by a consular officer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, and that the officer determined you’re eligible to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry for a specific purpose. The port-of-entry can be an airport, a seaport or a land border crossing.
- At the port-of-entry, a U.S. immigration officer of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) decides whether to allow you to enter and how long you can stay for any particular visit, as part of the Admission process. Only the U.S. immigration officer has the authority to permit you to enter the United States.
The visa expiration date is shown on the visa along with the visa issuance date. The time between visa issuance and expiration date is called your visa validity. The visa validity is the length of time you are permitted to travel to a port-of-entry in the United States.
Depending on your nationality, visas can be issued from a single entry (application) up to multiple/unlimited entries.
- A visa issued for a single entry (denoted on the visa under “Entries” with the number 1) is valid, or can be used from the date it is issued until the date it expires to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry one time.
- Applying for a new visa is not necessary if your visa has not expired and you have not exceeded the number of entries permitted on your visa.
- Multiple uses of a visa must be for the same purpose of travel allowable on the type of visa you have.
Please be aware, a visa does not guarantee entry to the United States. Additionally, the visa expiration date shown on your visa does not reflect how long you are authorized to stay within the United States. Entry and the length of authorized stay within the United States are determined by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer at the port-of-entry each time you travel.
It is important to note that there are circumstances which can serve to void or cancel the period of visa validity. If you overstay the end date of your authorized stay, as provided by the CBP officer at a port-of-entry, or United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), your visa will automatically void or cancel unless;
- You have filed an application in a timely manner for an extension of stay or a change of status;
- That application is pending and not frivolous;
If you have applied for adjustment of status to become a permanent resident (LPR, also called green card holder), you should contact USCIS regarding obtaining Advance Parole before leaving the United States.
Upon arriving at a port of entry, the CBP official will determine the length of your visit.
On the admission stamp or paper Form I-94, the U.S. immigration inspector records either an admitted-until date or "D/S" (duration of status). If your admission stamp or paper Form I-94 contains a specific date, then that is the date by which you must leave the United States. If you have D/S on your admission stamp or paper Form I-94, you may remain in the United States as long as you continue your course of studies, remain in your exchange program, or qualifying employment. The admitted-until date or D/S notation, shown on your admission stamp or paper Form I-94 is the official record of your authorized length of stay in the United States. You cannot use the visa expiration date in determining or referring to your permitted length of stay in the United States.
Carefully review information about international visitor admission on the CBP Website.
If you came to the United States on a nonimmigrant visa and you want to extend your stay you must apply with USCIS before your authorized stay, denoted on your admission stamp or paper Form I-94, expires. It is recommended you apply well in advance of your expiration date. To learn more select USCIS, How Do I Extend My Stay ?.
Important Note: Providing permission to enter and/or remain in the United States. to persons holding a nonimmigrant visa is not the responsibility of the Department of State, and therefore Visa Services is unable assist you in this regard. All inquiries must be directed to USCIS.
- You should carefully consider the dates of your authorized stay and make sure you are following the procedures. Failure to do so will cause you to be out-of-status.
- Staying beyond the period of time authorized, by the Department of Homeland Security, and out-of-status in the United States, is a violation of U.S. immigration laws, and may cause you to be ineligible for a visa in the future for return travel to the United States. If you overstay the end date of your authorized stay, as provided by the CBP officer at a port-of-entry, or United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), your visa will generally be automatically be voided or cancelled, as explained above. Select Classes of Aliens Ineligible to Receive Visas to learn more.
More Information
A-Z Index Latest News What is a U.S. Visa? Diversity Visa Program Visa Waiver Program Fraud Warning Find a U.S. Embassy or Consulate Straight Fact on U.S. Visas
Immigrant Visa Interview-Ready Backlog Report
Global Visa Wait Times
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Important Notice: Except in cases of emergency travel (i.e. serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family), before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants should wait at least 180 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later.
Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1), for tourism (visa category B-2), or for a combination of both ...
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler's passport, a travel document issued by the traveler's country of citizenship. Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the ...
The process to renew a visitor visa is the same as getting one for the first time. Follow the process to apply for a visitor visa from the Department of State. Find the contact information for your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and contact them for visa renewal information. LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023.
November 17, 2022. The Department of State is committed to facilitating legitimate travel to the United States while safeguarding national security. Many applicants for U.S. visas are required by U.S. law to appear in person. However, local pandemic-era restrictions on public places like our overseas consular sections curbed our ability to see ...
If you are in the U.S. and your visa or passport was lost or stolen, learn how to report it and apply for a new one. To visit the U.S. as a tourist, learn about tourist visas, ESTA, I-94, and visa waivers. Learn how to extend your stay in the U.S.
Apply for a U.S. Visa. At this website, you can learn about obtaining a visa, as well as applying for your visa. How to apply for your nonimmigrant visa for travel to the United States. What documents, photos and information you need to apply for your visa. How to access visa application forms and instructions.
The first step in applying for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa is to complete your application. It takes approximately 90 minutes to do this. After you submit your application, you can move on to the next steps such as scheduling your interview. Types of Visas.
Advance travel planning and early visa application is important. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates try to keep the visa issuance wait times as short as possible. Some visa types may have longer wait times for the application appointment and processing. Select the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply for current wait time information ...
Visa Status Check. Welcome! On this website, you can check your U.S. visa application status. Visa Application Type. Please select a location and enter your Application ID or Case Number. Select a location. Application ID or Case Number. (e.g., AA0020AKAX or 2012118 345 0001) NOTE: For applicants who completed their forms prior to January 1 ...
International travelers visiting the United States can apply for or retrieve their I-94 admission number/record (which is proof of legal visitor status) as well as retrieve a limited travel history of their U.S. arrivals and departures. Apply For New I-94 (Land Border/Selected Ferry. Travelers Only) Get Most Recent I-94. View Travel History.
There will be no extensions of fee validity. Applicants must have scheduled an appointment or submitted an interview waiver application before September 30, 2023 to avoid paying a new fee. If you paid the MRV fee on or after October 1, 2022, you must have scheduled the appointment within one year of your MRV payment date.
Welcome, U.S. Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants. You are at the official nonimmigrant (temporary) visa information and appointment website for the U.S. Embassy in Canada. Select this option if you have never used this site before and you have completed a DS-160 https://ceac.state.gov/genniv. Select this option to continue or review an existing visa ...
Supporting Documents. To schedule a nonimmigrant visa appointment, you must have the following information and documents available: A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions).
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States. (Note: U.S. citizens don't need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad ...
Upcoming Visa Bulletin. May. 2024. NOTE: The Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing published within the Visa Bulletins on this site are listed in the DAY-MONTH-YEAR (dd-mmm-yy) format. USCIS, in coordination with Department of State (State), is revising the procedures for determining visa availability for applicants waiting to file for ...
For immigrant visas, which are issued to foreign nationals who intend to live and work permanently in the United States, you can visit the U.S. citizenship and Immigration Services site for the relevant forms. If you are unsure what type of visa you need, please use the Visa Wizard below. For all visa-related inquiries, please start with our ...
Note: U.S. citizens do not need a U.S. visa for travel to the United States. When planning travel abroad a U.S. citizen may need a visa issued by the embassy or consulate of the country they wish to visit. What Type of Visa Do You Need? For short-term visits to the United States (for tourism, business, education, and more), you can go directly ...
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States. (Note: U.S. citizens don't need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad ...
A visa must be valid at the time a traveler seeks admission to the United States, but the expiration date of the visa (validity period/length of time the visa can be used) has no relation to the length of time a temporary visitor may be authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to remain in the United States. Persons holding visas valid ...
For nonimmigrant visas, you can go directly to the online application for the DS-160 ; or for immigrant visas, directly to the USCIS site for the relevant forms. If you are unsure, please use the Visa Wizard below to help you determine your visa type.
The visa expiration date is shown on the visa along with the visa issuance date. The time between visa issuance and expiration date is called your visa validity. The visa validity is the length of time you are permitted to travel to a port-of-entry in the United States. Depending on your nationality, visas can be issued from a single entry ...