Shenyang, China - Consulate General of the United States

How to Apply for a United States Visa

To apply for a visa, please visit www.ustraveldocs.com for instructions and to set your interview appointment.

Have you received a U.S. visa in the last five years?  You may be eligible to renew your visa without an interview through our newly expanded CITIC drop-box service.  Applicants under 14 and over 80 years of age are also eligible for this service.  To use this service, please use www.ustraveldocs.com.

Reduce Your Wait Time, Submit Your Application Early!

Although most issued visas can be delivered quickly, sometimes particular applications may require extra time to process. In order to avoid disrupting your travel plans, please apply for your visa as early as possible.

Important Tips for the Day of Your Interview

On the day of your interview please arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time and line up at the sign in front of the Consulate. You should have with you:

• Photo ID (Applicants under the age of 18 should bring their household registration (hukou) document)
• Your passport
• Your DS-160 confirmation page
• 1 recent passport-size photo,
• Any other documents your might wish to present to the Visa Officer during your interview.

You will need to pass through a security check before you will be allowed to enter the Consulate. Please note that certain items are not permitted in the Consulate, including laptop computers, handheld PDAs, mobile phones, cameras, other electronic devices, pocketknives, cigarettes, lighters and liquids in cans or bottles. Backpacks, suitcases, attaché cases, and strollers are also not permitted.  Applicants should only bring documents relevant to the visa application.

Please note that smoking is not permitted on Consulate grounds.

Once you reach the Visa Section, please give your DS-160 confirmation page and your passport to the Visa Section staff. Our staff will verify the information provided and ensure that all forms are filled in correctly and completely. 

You will then be asked to wait to provide your fingerprints. The fingerprinting process is quick and unobtrusive. You will be asked to place all of your fingers onto a scanner. The process does not require the use of ink and is usually completed within 30 seconds.  

You will then be called by a Visa Officer, who will conduct the interview. At the end of the interview the Visa Officer will tell you the result of your visa application.

Who may accompany applicant to the interview?

Except for two narrow exceptions, we do not allow third parties, including attorneys or family members to be present during visa interviews. Applicants 16 years and younger may be accompanied by a parent. Disabled applicants may be accompanied by a caretaker.