Non-immigrant Visa Application System

Complete Form DS-160 online

 All non-immigrant visa applicants (except K Fiancee visa applicants) applying for non immigrant visas are required to complete the DS-160 online application form. You MUST bring a confirmation page to your interview. The confirmation page will be provided after the DS-160 form is electronically transmitted. Print the DS-160 confirmation page and bring it to your interview.

Treaty Trader or Executive/Manager/Essential Employee (E-1) applicants must also complete a DS-156E form and print a copy of the application.

View "Helpful hints for filling out the Form DS-160."

Visa Appointment and Visa Application Fee Payment Steps

Step 1 - Make your Appointment

Visit the Applicant Service Center and follow the directions for making an appointment. You must have your passport number, birth date, and nationality information. When choosing the purpose of travel, choose "Non-Immigrant Visa." Next, enter the requested information and include the barcode from your DS-160 confirmation page.  Select a convenient DHL location to safely collect your passports and approved visas or Border Crossing Cards (BCCs). 

Step 2 - Pay the Application Fee

The application fee is non-refundable and covers the cost of your appointment. Payment can be made online with credit card or cash. If you pay cash, the system lets you download and print a deposit slip, which can be taken to any branch of Banamex and Scotiabank Bank for payment. Two hours after the payment, you can re-enter the Applicant Service Center webpage and validate the bank's receipt of confirmation by typing the numbers listed on the receipt. Once you have completed these steps and your payment has been validated, you must select the day and time you want to go to the Applicant Service Center (ASC), where your photo and fingerprints will be captured. At this time, you should also schedule your appointment at the Consulate General of the United States for your interview with a consular officer.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: When scheduling your appointment, you must answer a series of questions to determine if you need an appointment with the ASC or an appointment with both the ASC and the Consulate.

Alternatively, you can Click here for a list of telephone numbers to contact our call center to make the appointment but we suggest you do so through the website because it streamlines the process of transmitting information directly to our system.

Once you schedule your appointments, the system will send a message to the email address you provided containing a confirmation sheet with the date and time of the appointments. Please print the confirmation page and bring it to the ASC and the Consulate.  

Step 3 - Go to your appointment at the ASC

At your Applicant Service Center appointment, you will have your fingerprints and photographs taken. Be sure to bring your fee receipt, your DS-160 confirmation page and your valid passport. Arrive on time for your appointment, but no more than 15 minutes early.

Step 4 - If necessary, go to your appointment at the Consulate 

At your Consulate appointment, you will meet with a Consular Officer for your visa interview. Each applicant must bring: DS-160 application confirmation page; original fee receipt; your valid passport and any previous passports and visas that were issued in the past ten years; your DHL courier receipt; your current or expired visa; evidence of marital status, if applicable, such as a marriage or divorce certificate.

Applicants in other visa categories, such as students, temporary workers or treaty investors may have additional documentation requirements. Click to see information about other visa types.

If you are applying to replace a lost or stolen visa, bring your original police report. Click to see more information about Lost or Stolen Visas.

Step 5 - Visa Adjudication

If your visa is approved...

Applicants who qualify for visas will be able to collect their passports at the DHL courier facility they designated when they scheduled their appointment. Processing time for BCC (laser) visas is typically 3-4 weeks.  All other types of visas will be printed in your passport and typically take 1 week to process. When you receive your visa, please review it carefully for any errors. If you find an error, please notify the Consulate immediately, by following the instructions included in your visa packet.

If your visa is denied...

If your visa is denied, the Consular Officer will provide you with a written explanation of the section of law that describes your ineligibility. If you are eligible to apply for a waiver, the Officer will advise you of the process.  Applicants who are denied because they lack sufficient evidence of intent to return to Mexico after their visit are not eligible to apply for a waiver.

Please Note: Some cases require additional administrative processing which could delay consideration of your visa application.  If your case requires such additional processing, the Officer will notify you at the time of your interview and will advise you on how to proceed with your case. Please do not call or email in the meantime, as the Consulate will not be able to continue with your case until the additional processing is complete.

  Updated 5 March 2012