How to Get a US Visa: Complete Process Guide for 2026

The US non-immigrant visa follows a structured process standardized by the Department of State: completing Form DS-160, paying the MRV fee, collecting biometrics, and attending a consular interview. While each consulate has local particularities, the sequence of steps and evaluation criteria are identical in every country worldwide. This guide explains how each phase works in 2026, what documents to prepare, and how to avoid the most common mistakes that lead to denial.

Visa types covered by this process

The workflow described applies to all non-immigrant visa categories, with minor documentary variations depending on the type. The main ones are:

• B-1/B-2: business and tourism, the most requested category globally.
• F-1 and M-1: academic and vocational students.
• J-1: exchange students, visiting researchers, and participants in cultural exchange programs.
• H-1B, L-1, O-1, P-1: temporary work visas requiring prior petition in the US.
• C-1/D: crew members in transit through US territory.

Each category requires additional specific documents, but the consular structure is the same.

Who is exempt from the interview

The Department of State exempts the following groups of applicants from the in-person interview:

• Children under 14 years of age.
• Applicants aged 80 or older.
• Renewals within the eligibility window for the category, generally up to 48 months after the previous visa’s expiration, per the policy of the originating consulate.

For first-time applicants between the ages of 14 and 79, the consular interview is mandatory.

Step 1: Complete Form DS-160

The DS-160 is the official electronic application form for non-immigrant visas, completed on the Department of State’s Consular Electronic Application Center. It is the most critical step in the process, as any inconsistency between the form and what is stated during the interview can result in immediate denial.

The form is filled out in English and collects personal and professional information, travel history, passport data, social media handles, and the purpose of travel to the United States.

Critical points when filling out the form:

• Double-check every digit of your passport number; a single error invalidates the entire process.
• Declare all relatives living in the United States, including those with irregular immigration status. Omitting this information is considered consular fraud and carries serious consequences.
• Provide the handles for all social media accounts used in the past five years. The requirement was expanded in 2025 and the consulate actively checks public profiles before the interview.
• Save the confirmation number as soon as the form is submitted.
• Print the confirmation page with the barcode; it is required at every in-person stage.

Step 2: Create an account on the scheduling system

Each country operates its own US visa scheduling system, managed by an official Department of State contractor. This is where the applicant registers the fee payment, selects a consulate, and schedules biometrics and the interview.

The DS-160 confirmation number is required at this stage. Check carefully, as local systems typically allow the DS-160 to be replaced only once after the initial registration. If a new DS-160 must be generated, do so before creating the scheduling account.

Step 3: Pay the MRV fee

The MRV (Machine Readable Visa) fee is charged directly by the US government and no private service is authorized to collect it. The amount depends on the visa category:

• B-1/B-2, F, M, J, C-1/D, I: US$ 185 per applicant.
• H, L, O, P, Q, R: US$ 205 per applicant.
• E-1 and E-2 (investors and treaty traders): US$ 315 per applicant.
• K (fiancé(e)s and spouses of US citizens): US$ 265 per applicant.

Fees are the same for adults and children, and are non-refundable in the event of a denial, withdrawal, or no-show. After payment, there are 365 days to complete the scheduling; after that deadline, payment must be made again.

Payment methods vary by country: international credit card, bank transfer, local payment slip, or instant payment methods, as offered by the local system. Processing time depends on the method chosen; credit cards and instant payments are typically recognized within minutes, while payment slips and transfers can take up to three business days.

Step 4: Schedule biometrics and the interview

Once the payment has cleared, the system allows scheduling two in-person appointments:

1. Biometrics collection (digital photo and fingerprints) at a Visa Application Center (VAC) or Document Collection Center.
2. Interview at the US consulate or the consular section of the US embassy.

The correct order of attendance is always biometrics first, interview second. In some countries and smaller cities, both may take place on the same day or in the same building. At larger consulates, they are held at different locations on different dates, typically up to seven days apart. The system may display the interview calendar first, but this does not change the actual order of attendance.

Step 5: Attend biometrics collection

The biometrics step typically takes between 15 and 30 minutes and does not involve substantive questions. The applicant presents documents, takes a digital photo, and has all ten fingerprints scanned.

Required documents:

• Passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay in the United States.
• Printed DS-160 confirmation page.
• Printed scheduling confirmation page.
• Previous passports, especially if they contain expired US visas.

In some countries, a printed photo in the US standard format (5×5 cm, white background) is still required; in others, the digital photo taken on-site replaces this requirement. Check the originating consulate’s website before your appointment.

Attendance at biometrics is mandatory. Missing the collection automatically cancels the interview and requires the entire scheduling process to be restarted.

Step 6: Consular interview

The interview is the decisive step. The consular officer evaluates the applicant’s profile, verifies the consistency of the information declared on the DS-160, and decides whether to approve or deny the visa. The meeting typically lasts between three and five minutes.

The most commonly covered topics include:

• Purpose of travel, destination, and planned itinerary.
• Intended length of stay in the United States.
• Employment status, income, and source of funding for the trip.
• Ties to the home country: family, employment, property, studies.
• International travel history over the past five years.
• Relatives or acquaintances living in the United States.

Answers must be consistent with the DS-160. Discrepancies between the form and the interview are one of the leading causes of denial under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which presumes immigrant intent when the applicant fails to demonstrate sufficient ties to their home country.

Supporting documents

Although the officer may not always ask for them, the applicant should be prepared to present:

• Proof of income and employment.
• Bank statements from the past few months.
• Home country income tax return.
• Proof of property ownership, rental, or other financial ties.
• Proof of school or university enrollment, when applicable.
• Birth certificates, marriage certificates, or relevant family relationship documents.
• Invitation letter and host documentation in the United States, when applicable.

What not to bring to the consulate

For security reasons, the consulate prohibits entry with cell phones, tablets, laptops, headphones, food, drinks, sharp objects, flash drives, and large bags. The applicant should carry only the essentials in a folder or small bag.

Step 7: Pick up the passport with the visa

At the end of the interview, the officer verbally informs the applicant of the result. If approved, the passport is retained for the visa sticker to be affixed. If denied, it is returned immediately with a letter explaining the legal basis for the decision, typically Section 214(b) or 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The standard timeframe for issuing and returning the passport is approximately ten business days after approval, which may be extended in cases subject to additional administrative review (Administrative Processing). Pickup can be done in person at an authorized location or by delivery to the registered address, depending on the option chosen during scheduling.

Visa validity and reciprocity

The validity of the B-1/B-2 visa and other categories depends on the reciprocity agreement between the United States and the country that issued the passport. It can range from a few months to ten years for multiple entries. The final decision on validity and number of entries rests solely with the consular officer and takes into account the applicant’s individual profile. The official reciprocity table is available on the travel.state.gov portal and should be consulted before planning recurring trips.

Total process timeline

The total time, from starting the DS-160 to picking up the passport, depends heavily on the availability of appointments at the chosen consulate. During peak demand periods, especially at consulates in countries with high application volumes, the wait for an interview date can stretch to several months.

Average estimates:

• Completing the DS-160: 1 to 3 hours, depending on the complexity of the applicant’s profile.
• MRV fee processing: immediate to three business days.
• Wait for biometrics and interview date: days to months, depending on consulate queue.
• Passport issuance after approval: up to 10 business days, barring additional review.

Most common mistakes that lead to denial

• DS-160 completed with inconsistencies or outdated information.
• Omission of relatives in the United States or prior immigration history.
• Interview answers that contradict the form.
• Failure to demonstrate economic, family, or professional ties to the home country.
• Insufficient supporting documentation for the declared profile.
• Multiple DS-160s opened without updating the correct number in the scheduling system.
• History of overstay on previous trips to the United States.

Frequently asked questions

What is the first step?

The starting point is always completing the DS-160. Without the confirmation number from this form, it is not possible to create an account on the scheduling system or pay the MRV fee.

How much does it cost in 2026?

The MRV fee for B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas is US$ 185 per applicant. Temporary work categories (H, L, O, P, Q, R) cost US$ 205. E visas cost US$ 315 and K visas cost US$ 265. The fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.

What language is the interview conducted in?

The interview is typically conducted in the local language at consulates outside the United States, unless the applicant declares English proficiency on the DS-160. Applicants for visas that require English proficiency are generally interviewed in English.

Can I buy plane tickets before approval?

It is not recommended. Even after a positive interview, the process may enter additional administrative review, delaying passport issuance by weeks or months. Reservations with heavy cancellation penalties should wait until the passport with the visa is in hand.

Does the visa guarantee entry into the United States?

No. The visa only authorizes presentation at a port of entry. The final decision on admission belongs to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer, who evaluates documents, purpose of travel, and eligibility at the time of arrival, and may grant a stay up to the maximum duration permitted by the category or a shorter period.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.