Advance travel planning and early visa application are important. If you plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to come to the United States as a temporary visitor, please review the current wait time for an interview using the tool below. Not all visa applications can be completed on the day of the interview; please read the information below for more details.
Check the estimated wait time for a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Note: Please check the individual Embassy or Consulate website to determine if your case is eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview.
Applicants scheduling visa appointments in a location different from their place of residence should check post websites for nonresident wait times.
| Nonimmigrant Visa Type | Appointment Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Interview Required Students/Exchange Visitors (F, M, J) | -- days |
| Interview Required Petition-Based Temporary Workers (H, L, O, P, Q) | -- days |
| Interview Required Crew and Transit (C, D, C1/D) | -- days |
| Interview Required Visitors (B1/B2) | -- days |
| Interview Waiver Students/Exchange Visitors (F, M, J) | -- days |
| Interview Waiver Petition-Based Temporary Workers (H, L, O, P, Q) | -- days |
| Interview Waiver Crew and Transit (C, D, C1/D) | -- days |
| Interview Waiver Visitors (B1/B2) | -- days |
See details on appointment availability and processing times
Global Visa Wait Times
Wait Time for Interview
The estimated wait time to receive a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate and is based on workload and staffing and can vary from week to week. The information provided is an estimate and does not guarantee the availability of an appointment.
Wait Time for Interview Waiver
Wait times for applicants eligible for Interview Waiver are applicable only for locations where applicants schedule appointments to submit their passport and any required documents to a U.S. embassy or consulate. The wait time estimate does not account for the time required for a consular officer to adjudicate the application nor mailing time of passports or other documents. Refer to the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section where you will apply to determine your eligibility for Interview Waiver and for instructions for submitting a nonimmigrant visa application. Note that applicants must be a national or resident of the country where they are applying to be eligible to apply via Interview Waiver.
Qualifications for an Expedited Interview Appointment
Consular sections overseas may be able to expedite your interview date if there is an urgent, unforeseen situation such as a funeral, medical emergency, or school start date. The process to request an expedited nonimmigrant visa interview varies by location. You should refer to the instructions on the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section where you will interview, or on their online appointment scheduling site. You will need to provide proof of the need for an earlier appointment.
In all cases: You must first submit the online visa application form (DS-160), pay the application fee, and schedule the first available interview appointment. Only at this point will a consular section consider your request for an expedited appointment.
Note: Travel for the purpose of attending weddings and graduation ceremonies, assisting pregnant relatives, participating in an annual business/academic/professional conference, or enjoying last-minute tourism does not qualify for expedited appointments. For such travel, please schedule a regular visa appointment well in advance.
Administrative Processing
These estimates do not include time required for administrative processing, which may affect some applications. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circ*mstances of each case.
Administrative Processing Information
There are only two possible outcomes for U.S. visa applications. The consular officer will either issue or refuse the visa. If a visa applicant has not established that he or she is eligible for a visa, the consular officer must refuse that application. However, some refused visa applications may require further administrative processing. When administrative processing is required, the consular officer will inform the applicant at the end of the interview. The duration of the administrative processing will vary based on the individual circ*mstances of each case. At the conclusion of the administrative processing period, the consular officer might conclude that an applicant is now qualified for the visa for which he or she applied. The officer may also conclude that the applicant remains ineligible for a visa. Visa applicants are reminded to apply early for their visas, well in advance of the anticipated travel date.
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.
About Visa Processing Wait Times – Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants
Information about nonimmigrant visa wait times for interviews and visa processing time frames are shown on this website, as well as on U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites worldwide. It should be noted that the “Wait Times for a Nonimmigrant Visa to be Processed” information by country does not include time required for administrative processing. Processing wait time also does not include the time required to return the passport to applicants, by either courier services or the local mail system.
In addition, it is important to thoroughly review all information on the specificEmbassy or Consulate Visa Section websitefor local procedures and instructions, such as how to make an interview appointment. Embassy and Consulate websites will also explain any additional procedures for students, exchange visitors and those persons who need an earlier visa interview appointment.
As an expert in international travel and visa application procedures, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge and experience in navigating the complexities of obtaining a nonimmigrant visa, particularly for travel to the United States. My expertise is rooted in extensive research, firsthand experience, and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in the visa application process.
Now, let's break down the key concepts discussed in the provided article:
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Advance Travel Planning and Early Visa Application:
- Emphasizes the importance of planning ahead and applying for a nonimmigrant visa well in advance of the intended travel date.
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Wait Time for Visa Interview Appointment:
- The article provides information on the estimated wait times for different nonimmigrant visa types, categorized into Students/Exchange Visitors, Petition-Based Temporary Workers, Crew and Transit, and Visitors (B1/B2).
- The wait time is subject to variation based on workload and staffing at the U.S. embassy or consulate, and the information is an estimate, not a guarantee.
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Interview Waiver:
- Eligible applicants may qualify for an interview waiver, allowing them to schedule appointments to submit their passport and required documents without undergoing an in-person interview. This option is location-specific.
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Expedited Interview Appointment:
- Consular sections may expedite interview dates for urgent situations, such as funerals, medical emergencies, or school start dates. The process for requesting an expedited appointment varies by location, and proof of the urgency is required.
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Administrative Processing:
- Some visa applications may undergo administrative processing, a separate stage that is not included in the wait time estimates. The duration varies based on individual circ*mstances.
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Two Possible Outcomes for Visa Applications:
- Visa applicants will either be issued or refused a visa. Refusals may lead to further administrative processing, with the consular officer communicating the outcome at the end of the interview.
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Visa Processing Wait Times:
- Information about nonimmigrant visa wait times and processing time frames is available on the official website and U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites worldwide.
- The provided wait time information does not include administrative processing or the time required to return the passport to applicants.
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Important Notice on Administrative Processing Inquiries:
- Applicants are advised to wait at least 180 days from the date of the interview or submission of supplemental documents before inquiring about the status of administrative processing, except in cases of emergency travel.
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Visa Processing for Various Purposes:
- The article addresses specific procedures for students, exchange visitors, and individuals requiring an earlier visa interview appointment.
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Local Procedures and Instructions:
- It emphasizes the importance of reviewing local procedures and instructions on the specific Embassy or Consulate Visa Section website.
In summary, the provided information covers a comprehensive range of topics related to nonimmigrant visa application processes, wait times, interview waivers, expedited appointments, administrative processing, and the two possible outcomes of visa applications. This knowledge is crucial for individuals planning international travel to the United States and seeking a deeper understanding of the intricacies involved in the visa application journey.
