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U.S. Visa Services

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NOTICE

Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence or nationality.  Visa application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. For more information, visit travel.state.gov.

All individuals applying for an A-3, C-3 (if a domestic worker), G-5, H1-B, H-3, H-4 dependent of H-1B and H-3, F, M, J, K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, or U nonimmigrant visa are instructed to adjust the privacy setting on all social media accounts to “public” or “open” to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under U.S. law. More information is available at travel.state.gov.

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 10998 on Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 1, 2026, the United States is suspending or limiting entry and visa issuance to nationals of 39 countries as well as individuals applying using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority. Applicants who are subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998 may still submit visa applications and attend scheduled interviews, but they may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States. For additional details, visit travel.state.gov.

Effective immediately, the Department of State has paused all visa issuances to diversity immigrant visa applicants. For additional details, visit travel.state.gov here.

NAVIGATOR

Notice

Non-Canada resident applicants can anticipate wait times of approximately 600 calendar days for an appointment.

Schedule a visa appointment

What is a Visa?

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.

Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program, which is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The Visa section of this website is about U.S. visas for foreign citizens and nationals to travel to the United States.

Visit Travel.State.gov for additional information.

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.

Canada residents check wait times

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 to the online application (form DS-160). 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. 

View Local Information

New Policy for Non-Immigrant Visa Interviewees, Starting May 1, 2025

Starting May 1, 2025, NIV applicants interviewing at any consular section in Canada must present an Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160) confirmation number that matches the application number used to schedule their appointment. Applicants who do not have matching application numbers when they arrive for their appointment will have to reschedule their interview and may have to pay new visa fees.

Non-matching numbers are a result of booking a visa appointment, usually by a travel agency or visa service company, prior to the application being filled. Visa applicants whose appointments were reserved by a third party should pay particular attention to this announcement.

What do NIV applicants need to do?
To avoid the risk of being turned away, applicants should update their DS-160 Application number no later than 3 business days before their appointment date.

Immediately verify that the Visa Application ID Number (DS-160) you plan to submit matches the number you entered in the Visa Appointment System at Official U.S. Department of State Visa Appointment Service | Canada | English
If the application number does not match the application number in the Visa Appointment System, enter the correct application number in the Visa Appointment System, replacing the incorrect number. The application number in the Visa Appointment System can be updated up to one time without having to cancel the existing appointment. To do so, please follow the steps below:
1. Log into your account at Official U.S. Department of State Visa Appointment Service | Canada | English
2. In the “Applicant Summary Page”, click on the “gear” icon and select “Edit”
3. Update the “DS-160 Number” field with the complete and correct confirmation number
4. Click “Save”
If you require assistance to update the application number in the Visa Appointment System, visit Contact Us | Official U.S. Department of State Visa Appointment Service | Canada | English
Bring your application form DS160 confirmation page to your interview.

This new policy follows global guidance for all U.S. Embassies and will reduce visa wait times by increasing appointment availability.

Applicants are reminded that they are ultimately responsible for the information they present for their visa interview, whether or not they used a travel agent or application assistant.