Make Your Visa Appointment
Once your Visa Application (DS-160) has been submitted successfully (see here if you haven't done so), please schedule an appointment with your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate as soon as possible.
Appointment wait times can vary significantly between locations but all U.S. Embassies and Consulates see high appointment volumes. The sooner you make an appointment, the better. You can check the current appointment wait times for your location on the website of the Department of State.
In order to schedule your appointment, you will need the following information:
- Your passport number;
- Your CGI reference number from your visa fee receipt;
- Your 10-digit barcode from the DS-160 confirmation page
Note: U.S. Embassies and Consulates in a select few countries offer F-1 and J-1 applicants the option to submit their application via mail, without attending an in-person interview. Please only choose this option if there is enough time left for you to send in your documents and get them back via mail as this process may take several weeks.
How To Prepare
To prepare for a successful visa interview, please ensure that you gather all of your required documents. It is also best to practice how you will respond to common interview questions. Make sure that your answers are clear and concise since visa interviews can be very brief. During your interview, remain calm and answer all the consular officer's questions openly and honestly.
Documents to bring
When it's time for your visa interview, all applicants should bring the following documents:
- Your passport;
- Your I-20 or DS-2019;
- Your program acceptance letter;
- Your I-901 SEVIS Fee receipt;
- Your financial documents demonstrating how you will support yourself in the U.S.;
- Any relevant academic documents (e.g., current transcript or enrollment verification, previously obtained diplomas);
- Any other documents the Embassy or Consulate specifically requested
Please wait for the visa officer to request these documents from you during your interview. Don't present all documents at once to avoid overwhelming the officer.
Security Checks
Consular officers do security checks for all visa applicants. They do special security clearances for some applicants as required by law. Students who study scientific and technical subjects may be subject to additional background checks. These clearances may take several weeks or longer. Be sure to make your visa appointment well in advance of your intended travel.
Additional Documentation Requested
In some cases, the visa officer may let you know at the end of your interview that they need additional documentation from you in order to reach a decision. Note that this doesn't mean that your visa application has been denied. You will receive a list of the documents you need to submit (e.g., your resume or the resume of your program coordinator) and a date you will need to submit these documents by. In most cases, you will be able to submit these additional documents by email. If you have any questions about the additional documents the U.S. Embassy or Consulate has requested from you, please reach out to us at visiting-intl@berkeley.edu.
Visa Denials
If your F-1 visa application is denied, you will receive a formal notification in the mail. Email us right away and attach this notification so we can best advise you on next steps.