The Important Stuff: Visa Application (Part 3)

Hi all!

My last blog post on the subject of visa applications was just getting a tad too long so instead of tacking this on at the end I decided to give it its own space to breathe. This post will cover how to book your visa appointment/interview and pay the associated fee. This information is included at the end of my vlog on the DS-160 application that can be found here (I've made sure it plays from where I start talking about booking the appointment).

So you've completed your DS-160 and you're wondering what to do next? Book an appointment, of course! But first what you have to do is create yourself an account on the ustraveldocs site. Up the top left hand corner of the page there should be a button that says 'Log In'. Even if you don't have an account yet just go ahead and click on it. Underneath where you would normally chuck in your log in details if you were a returning user there should be a link that says 'New user?'. If you click on this it will take you to a page where you can create yourself an account. Just the general username, password type stuff.

When you've finally got your account you should be taken to your account interface. Here there are a whole bunch of blue buttons and a list of links over to the left. Click on the button in the list that says 'New Application/Schedule Appointment'. It should then ask you what kind of visa you are applying for and you again select 'Non-immigrant visa'. You will then be asked what post (consulate) you want to book an appointment at. The form then asks for your visa category (Student) and visa class (J-1).

The next few pages ask for the following information:

- Passport data (E.g. passport number, date of issue, date of expiry, etc.)
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Name
- Country of birth
- Gender
- DS-160 number (Found on the center bottom of the DS-160 confirmation page)
- Phone number
- Email address
- Address
- SEVIS number (Found in the top right hand corner of the DS-2019 form)
- Exchange/Program number (Found just above the center of the DS-2019 form)
- If you have any dependents
- Are you applying for this visa within 12 months of a previous visa expiring?

After you input all of this information you are then asked to confirm your postal address. Next up it's time to pay.

So you're taken to a page that lists how much the fee is. You have to click 'See Payment Options' to be able to select an option. Chuck in your payment information and make sure it's all correct. You're then given a receipt number. It wouldn't hurt to write this down but once you click the 'Continue scheduling appointment' button it takes you back to the original cost page but the receipt number is already plugged in for you. It might be advisable to write the receipt number down anyway but if the site is working how it should then you won't actually need it.

Once you're back at the cost page and it's recognized your payment you can click continue. You'll be taken to a page where you can select the date and time of your desired appointment. Pick whichever one tickles your fancy and select it. When you've chosen and booked an appointment you'll be taken to a confirmation page for your booking. I strongly advise you to print this out. If for some unknown reason your appointment doesn't show up in their database you'll need that confirmation to prove you're supposed to be there.

If you're now standing there with a SEVIS confirmation page, a DS-160 confirmation page and a consulate appointment confirmation page you are done with the process. There's only one thing left for you to do and that's attend your appointment! My next post will cover the visa appointment so stay tuned for that.

- Lily