How to Schedule a U.S. Visa Appointment in India

Where to schedule your U.S. visa appointment in India

The U.S. State Department runs visa interview appointments through a system called CGI Federal, which handles scheduling for all U.S. embassies and consulates in India. You do not go directly to the embassy — you book through CGI's online portal at india.usembassy.gov or through the CGI website itself.

India has four U.S. visa processing locations: the embassy in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. When you start the scheduling process, the system will show you which location serves your area and what appointment slots are currently open. The location you can use depends on where you live in India, not which one you prefer.

Before you can book an appointment, you must have already paid the visa process fee and received a receipt number. The fee varies by visa type — a tourist visa (B1/B2) costs one amount, a work visa (H-1B) costs another. You cannot schedule without proof of payment.

Key Takeaways

• Schedule your appointment through CGI Federal's online portal at india.usembassy.gov, not by calling or visiting the embassy in person.
• You must pay your visa fee and have a receipt number before you can book an appointment slot.
• The system assigns you to the embassy or consulate that covers your state or region — you cannot choose a different location.
• Appointment availability changes frequently, and slots can fill up for weeks or months depending on visa type and location.
• You will need your passport number, travel dates, and employment or education details ready when you schedule.

Steps to book your appointment online

Go to the CGI Federal portal and create an account using your email address. You will set a password and answer security questions. This account lets you check appointment availability, book a slot, and reschedule if needed.

Log in and select your visa type — tourist, work, student, or another category. The system will ask which consulate or embassy location you want to use. Enter your passport number, date of birth, and the date you plan to travel. Then select your preferred appointment date from the available slots shown on the calendar.

Confirm your appointment details and print or save your confirmation receipt. This receipt shows your appointment date, time, location, and a reference number. Bring this confirmation, your passport, and all required documents to your interview.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring your valid passport, the appointment confirmation receipt, and the visa fee receipt. You will also need a completed DS-160 form (the online nonimmigrant visa process) and a printed confirmation page from that form.

Beyond these basics, the documents you need depend on your visa type. For a tourist visa, bring proof of funds (bank statements, credit card statements), proof of ties to India (property deed, employment letter, family documents), and your travel itinerary. For a work visa, bring your job offer letter, passport copies of your employer's authorized signatories, and evidence that the position was advertised to U.S. workers first. For a student visa, bring your I-20 form from your school, proof of financial support, and transcripts.

The U.S. State Department publishes a full checklist for each visa type on the India embassy website. Check the specific list for your visa category before your appointment — missing a single required document can result in a denial or request to reschedule.

How long appointment slots take to open

The time between when you pay your fee and when an appointment slot becomes available varies widely. For tourist visas in major cities like Mumbai and Delhi, slots may open within days or weeks. For work visas and other employment-based categories, the wait can stretch to several months because demand is higher and the State Department processes fewer of these cases per day.

Appointment availability is not steady. The system releases new slots periodically, and they fill quickly. If you do not see an opening on your first check, check again the next day or later in the week. Many people find that slots appear on specific days of the week, though the State Department does not publish a schedule.

If you have a time-sensitive need — a job start date, school enrollment important date, or family emergency — contact the consulate directly to explain your situation. They cannot may provide an earlier appointment, but they may be able to note your case if you have documentation of the urgency.

Rescheduling or canceling your appointment

Log back into your CGI account and select "Reschedule Appointment." The system will show you available dates. Choose a new slot and confirm. You do not need to pay the fee again — your original receipt remains valid.

If you need to cancel instead, you can do so through the same account. Canceling releases your slot for other applicants. If you cancel and later want to reschedule, you will need to log in again and book a new appointment from the available slots at that time.

Do not straightforward miss your appointment without canceling. If you fail to appear, the consulate may mark your case as abandoned, and you may have to pay the fee again to reschedule.

What happens at your visa interview

Arrive at the consulate or embassy at least 15 minutes before your appointment time. You will go through security screening — remove electronics, belts, and metal items. Then you will wait in the visa applicant area until your name is called.

A consular officer will interview you at a window. They will ask about your purpose for travel, your ties to India, your employment or education, and your financial situation. Answer honestly and directly. The officer will examine your documents and may ask follow-up questions. The interview usually lasts 5 to 15 minutes.

At the end, the officer will tell you whether your visa is approved, denied, or under administrative processing (a review that can take weeks). If approved, you will receive instructions on when and how to collect your passport with the visa stamped inside. If denied, you will receive a written reason and information about whether you can reschedule.

Fees and payment methods

Visa fees are set by the U.S. State Department and do not vary by location in India. A B1/B2 tourist visa costs one amount, an H-1B work visa costs another, and student visas cost a third amount. Check the India embassy website for the current fee for your specific visa type.

You can pay the fee online through the CGI portal using a credit or debit card, or you can pay in person at a bank that the State Department has designated as a payment agent. The most common method is online payment, which gives you an when ready receipt number that you need to schedule your appointment.

The fee is non-refundable even if your visa is denied. If you reschedule your appointment, you do not pay again — the same fee covers all your attempts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I schedule an appointment at a different consulate than the one assigned to my state?

No. The CGI system assigns you to the consulate or embassy that covers your residential area in India. You cannot choose a different location. If you move to a different state before your appointment, you may be able to transfer to the new location's consulate, but you must contact CGI to request this change.

What if no appointment slots are showing for months?

Check back regularly — new slots are released periodically and fill quickly. Try checking at different times of day or on different days of the week. If you have a documented urgent need, contact the consulate's visa section directly with proof of your time-sensitive situation. They cannot may provide an earlier slot but may be able to help.

Do I need to reschedule if I change my travel dates?

Not necessarily. Your visa interview date and your travel date are separate. You can have your interview months before you travel. However, if your travel date changes so dramatically that it affects your visa type or your ability to attend the interview, you should reschedule to a date closer to when you actually plan to leave.

What if I lose my appointment confirmation receipt?

Log back into your CGI account and print a new copy. Your appointment details are stored in your account. You can also contact CGI's support line for India if you cannot access your account, though response times can be slow.

Can someone else attend my visa interview for me?

No. The consular officer must interview you in person. You cannot send a family member, lawyer, or agent to the interview in your place. If you have a medical emergency or other serious reason you cannot attend, contact the consulate before your appointment date to explain and request a reschedule.