The US Department of State uses multiple websites for US visa appointments. One of them is the AIS website, generally referred to as “AIS US Visa Info“. If you live in Canada, Mexico, South America, some parts of Europe, Africa and Central Asia, you must use the AIS portal to schedule US visa appointment.
The official name of AIS portal is “U.S. VISA Information and Appointment Services”. Visa applicants sometimes refer to this portal as GDIT or Yatri.
GDIT (General Dynamics Information Technology) is the company that owns and operates Yatri, a cloud-based system that provides consular services for the US Department of State. AIS US Visa Info is part of the Yatri system.
IMPORTANT: Before scheduling your visa appointment, you must complete your DS-160 form online. If you haven’t completed the DS-160 form yet, follow this step-by-step guide on how to fill DS-160 form for US visa.
Table of Contents
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Who should schedule a US visa appointment?
If you are applying for a US non-immigrant visa such as B1/B2, then you must schedule a visa appointment. A US visa appointment is mandatory for all US visa applicants.
On the day of the appointment, you will have to appear at the US consulate for an in-person interview. If you are renewing your US visa, you may qualify for an interview waiver. The appointment system will ask for questions related to your renewal and determine whether you are eligible for an interview waiver.
NOTE: From September 2025, you can only schedule your US visa appointment in your country of residence or country of nationality.
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Who should use the AIS portal to schedule US visa appointment?
Determine whether you will be applying for your visa in your country of residence or nationality. If the country is in the list below, continue with the instructions in this guide.
NORTH AMERICA
- Canada
- Mexico
CENTRAL AMERICA
- Belize
- Costa Rica
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Panama
CARIBBEAN
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Dominican Republic
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Curaçao
SOUTH AMERICA
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Guyana
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Suriname
- Uruguay
EUROPE
- Ireland
- Italy
- Portugal
- Spain
- United Kingdom
AFRICA
- Angola
- Cape Verde
- Djibouti
- Ethiopia
- Kenya
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
ASIA
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Uzbekistan
NOTE: If your country is not in the above list, check if you would need to schedule your US visa interview on any of the systems below.
- US Visa Scheduling (by CGI Federal)
- US Visa Appointment (by Amentum)
- NIV Appointment System (by US Department of State)
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Steps to Schedule US Visa Appointment on AIS US Visa Info (GDIT/Yatri)
01. Account Creation
a. Start
- Go to the AIS US Visa Info website
- Click on the blue “Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant” button
You will be taken to the “Consulate Locations” page.
b. Consulate Location
- Click on the “English” link for the country where you would like to schedule US visa appointment
You will be taken the homepage of the country you have selected. Bookmark this link as you will need it to check your payment and visa status later.
NOTE
As an example, I’m using Canada in the above screenshot. But I’m using UAE (Dubai) as the country for the rest of this guide. The steps are the same for any country you select, be it Canada, Mexico, UAE or Belgium.
c. Apply
- Click the “Apply” link on this page
d. Sign Up Conditions
Select the following option on this page.
- Please select the condition that best applies to you: [Instruction: Select “I have completed U.S. Nonimmigrant Visa application (DS-160) form and I need to apply for a visa” from the options]
- [OPTIONS]
- I am a diplomat, other government official, Fulbright Scholar, or participant in another U.S. Government sponsored program.
- I have completed U.S. Nonimmigrant Visa application (DS-160) form and I need to apply for a visa.
- I am a Company, Travel Agent, or Other Organization that needs to schedule appointments for a group of people.
- I need to apply for a K (Fiancé(e)/Spouse/Child) visa.
- None of the above applies to me.
Click on the green “Continue” button to go to the next step.
e. Sign Up Form
Enter the following information in the signup form.
- Given Name [Instruction: Enter your given name from your passport. If you have a middle name in your passport, enter your middle name followed by your first name]
- Surname [Instruction: Enter your surname from your passport]
- Email [Instruction: Enter your email]
- Email Confirmation [Instruction: Reenter your email]
- Password [Instruction: Enter a password for your profile]
- Password Confirmation [Instruction: Reenter the password]
- Text Alerts [Instruction: You can skip checking this box as you can opt for SMS alerts in the next upcoming steps]
Check the box for “Privacy Policy and Terms of Use” and click on the green “Create Account” button.
You will be taken to the “Activate Your Account” page.
IMPORTANT
It is very important that the information you enter matches your passport and DS-160. These details will be copied into your application page in the later steps. So make sure they are correct and match your passport.
f. Activate Your Account
Once you create your account, you will be taken to the “Activate Your Account” page.
Check your email for an activation email from the AIS US visa info website. Click on the activation link in the email. You will be taken to the “Your Account is Activated” page.
Click on the green “Continue” button to go to the “New Applicant” page.
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02. Applicant Information
a. New Applicant
Enter the following information.
- Given Name [Instruction: Your given name will be populated by default. Review it to make sure it matches your passport. Fix it if here if it doesn’t]
- Surname [Instruction: Your surname will be populated by default. Review it to make sure it matches your passport. Fix it if here if it doesn’t]
- Country/Authority that issued Passport [Instruction: Enter the country of your passport]
- Country of Birth [Instruction: Enter your country of birth]
- Country of Permanent Residence [Instruction: Enter the country where you currently live]
- Passport Number [Instruction: Enter your passport number]
- DS-160 Number [Instruction: Enter your DS-160 confirmation number]
- Visa Class [Instruction: Select “B1/B2 Business & Tourism (Temporary visitor)” from options. Note: This visa class must match the visa class selected in your DS-160]
- [Dropdown Options]
- B1 Business/Conference/Domestic Employee
- B1/B2 Business & Tourism (Temporary visitor)
- B2 Tourism/Medical Treatment
- C1 Transit
- C1/D Crewmember in transit
- D1 Crewmember
- E1 Treaty Trader / Child of an E1 / Spouse of an E1
- E2 Treaty Investor / Child of E2 / Spouse of an E2
- E3 Australian Spec. Worker
- E3D Spouse or Child of an E3
- F1 Student
- F2 Spouse or Child of an F1
- F3 Commuter Student
- H1B Speciality Occupation
- H1B1 Chilean or Singaporean Spec. Occupation
- H1C Nurse in shortage area
- H2A Agricultural Worker
- H2B Nonagricultural Worker
- H3 Trainee
- H4 Spouse / Child of H1B
- H4 Spouse / Child of H1B1
- H4 Spouse / Child of H1C
- H4 Spouse / Child of H2A
- H4 Spouse / Child of H2B
- H4 Spouse / Child of H3
- I Foreign Media Representative / Spouse or Child of an I
- J1 Exchange Visitor
- J2 Spouse or Child of a J1
- L1 Intra-company Transferee
- L2 Spouse or Child of an L1
- M1 Student
- M2 Spouse or Child of an M1
- M3 Commuter Student
- O1 Extraordinary Ability
- O2 Alien Accompanying/Assisting
- O3 Spouse or Child of an O1 or O2
- P1 Internationally Recognized Alien
- P2 Artist/Entertainer Exchange Program
- P3 Artist / Entertainer in Cultural Program
- P4 Spouse or Child of a P1, P2, or P3
- Q1 Cultural Exchange Visitor
- R1 Religious Worker
- R2 Spouse or Child of an R1
- T1 Victim of Trafficking
- T2 Spouse of a T1
- T3 Child of a T1
- T4 Parent of a T1
- T5 Sibling of a T1
- TD Spouse or Child of a TN
- TN NAFTA Professional
- U1 Victim of Crime
- U2 Spouse of a U1
- U3 Child of a U1
- U4 Parent of a U1
- U5 Sibling of a U1
- Date of Birth [Instruction: Enter your date of birth]
- Gender [Instruction: Enter your gender]
- Primary Phone [Instruction: Enter your cell phone number where you can reached at any time]
- Text Alerts [Instruction: Agree to terms of service so you can receive SMS alerts of your visa status]
- Email Address [Instruction: Enter your email address]
- Were you previously issued a visa to enter the United States? [Instruction: Select “No”. Select “Yes” if you were issued a visa to the US before. This question will determine if you qualify for an interview waiver]
- Is the applicant traveling from another country to apply for a visa in
[Instruction: Select “No”. Select “Yes” if you reside in a different country but will be traveling to this country for the interview]
Click on the green “Create Applicant” button. You will be taken to the “Confirm Applicant and Visa Information” page.
b. Confirm Applicant and Visa Information
- Does this Visa Type match your travel? [Instruction: Review the entered information and select “Yes”. Select “No” if you see any discrepancies or errors]
c. Special Conditions
- Check all statements that apply [Instruction: Select “None of the above apply”. Select the other option if you were refused a US before]
Click on the green “Confirm” button to go to the “Dependents” page.
d. Dependents
- Do you want to add another applicant? [Instruction: Click “No” to continue to the next step. Click “Yes” if you have dependents who will attend the interview along with you]
If you clicked on the “No” button, you will be taken the “Courier Details” page. If you clicked on the “Yes” button, you will taken to the “New Applicant” page to add your dependent’s details.
If you clicked “Yes” for the dependents, enter your dependent details.
- Given Name [Instruction: Enter your dependent’s given name from their passport. If they have a middle name, enter their middle name followed by their first name]
- Surname [Instruction: Enter your dependent’s surname from their passport]
- Country/Authority that issued Passport [Instruction: Enter the country of your dependent’s passport]
- Country of Birth [Instruction: Enter your dependent’s country of birth]
- Country of Permanent Residence [Instruction: Enter the country where your dependent currently live]
- Passport Number [Instruction: Enter your dependent’s passport number]
- DS-160 Number [Instruction: Enter your dependent’s DS-160 number]
- Visa Class [Instruction:Select “B1/B2 Business & Tourism (Temporary visitor)” from options]
- [Dropdown Options]
- B1/B2 Business & Tourism (Temporary visitor)
- Date of Birth [Instruction: Enter your dependent’s date of birth]
- Gender [Instruction: Enter your dependent’s gender]
- Primary Phone [Instruction: Enter your dependent’s cell phone number where they can be reached]
- Text Alerts [Instruction: Agree to terms of service]
- Email Address [Instruction: Enter your dependent’s email address]
- Were you previously issued a visa to enter the United States? [Instruction: Select “No”. Select “Yes” if your dependent were issued a visa to the US before]
- Is the applicant traveling from another country to apply for a visa in
[Instruction: Select “No”. Select “Yes” if your dependent resides in a different country but they will be traveling to this country for interview]
Click on “Create Applicant” to add the dependent. Repeat this step if you need to add more dependents. If you don’t have anymore dependents to add, you will be taken to the “Courier Details” page.
03. Courier Details
- Document courier pick up location (no extra fee) [Instruction: Select the location where you would like to pick up your passport from]
Click on the green “Continue” button to go to the “Payment” page.
04. Payment
On this page, you will see different payment options. At this point, the visa application is already saved. Familiarize yourself with the payment options and pick the payment method that works best for you.
Available Payment Methods
- Pay by Cash
- Pay by Credit Card
Select the payment method and click on the green “Continue” button. You will be shown a popup.
- Check the box for “By checking this box I understand that fees will be…” and click on the “Continue” button.
a. Pay by Cash
If you have selected the option “Pay by Cash” on the previous page, you will taken to the cash payment instructions page. Follow the below steps to pay your visa fee in cash at a designated local bank.
- On the “Cash Payment” page, click on the green “Download Instructions” button
- This will download the instructions in PDF format
- Print and bring two copies of these instructions to the bank
- Handover one copy of the instructions to the bank clerk and remit the MRV fee
NOTE
The PIN and bank account numbers mentioned in the instructions PDF are unique to your visa application. The instructions are also valid for 5 days. If you fail to pay within 5 days, the PIN and account numbers become invalid. In that case, you must download the instructions again for new PIN and bank accounts.
Cash payments are automatically confirmed and updated in your application within 2 business days. Go back into your application and check the status of your payment. Below are the steps to check your payment status.
- Go to the AIS US Visa login page for your country (You can use ais.usvisa-info.com link to get the country page)
- Click on the “Continue” link
- Enter your login credentials and click on the green “Sign In” button.
You will be taken to your account dashboard.
- On the account dashboard, if you see the status as “Pay Visa Fee”. Then your cash payment is not confirmed yet.
- Click on the green “Continue” button.
On the payment page, if you see a “still not confirmed” message, just wait for sometime and check again. Once the cash payment is confirmed, you will be taken the “Schedule” page automatically.
b. Pay by Credit Card
If you have selected the option “Pay by Credit Card” on the payment page, you will be taken to the credit card form. Follow the below steps to pay your visa fee by credit card
- Enter your Billing Address
- Enter your Credit Card details
Click on the green “Make Payment” button. Your payment will be confirmed and you will taken to the “Schedule” page.
05. Schedule
On this page, pick the date and time for your fingerprints and photo appointment.
Click on “Continue”.
Pick the date and time for your visa interview appointment.
Click on “Continue”. You will be taken to the confirmation and instructions page.
NOTE
Appointment for fingerprints and photo is ONLY REQUIRED in certain countries such as Mexico, etc.
06. Instructions
On this page, your fingerprints/photo appointment confirmation and US visa interview appointment confirmation will be displayed
Print these confirmation letters. You will need a copy of these confirmations for your fingerprints/photo and US visa interview.
Good luck!
Carene says
Good morning, I am Carene [Redacted]. I have completed the non-immigrant visa application form, registered, and made the payment of US$185. I was trying to make an appointment, but I was having some difficulties doing so. I finally got through, but I am wondering if I made an error. I did not get the prompt to put in the payment information.
The application tracking number is [Redacted]
IVR # [Redacted]
Payment receipt number [Redacted].
My appointment is October 31, 2025, at [Redacted].
I also see something about that said my interview has been waived. If all that I have done above, when should I drop off my passport? Or how can I correct the error I think I made?
Thirumal Motati says
Hi Carene! If you have paid your visa fee using a credit/debit card or online bank transfer, you will not be asked to enter your payment information again. But if you’ve paid your visa fee in cash at a local bank, you may be asked to enter your receipt number sometimes, but in most cases this is also automatic. So in my opinion, you’re fine, you haven’t made any error.
If you are applying to renew your visa, you may qualify for interview waiver. I think that’s what happened in your case. You hold a valid or expired US visa that you’re trying to renew. So you’re told that your interview is waived.
You should go to the Visa Application Center or the consulate (address will be on the appointment confirmation) on October 31, 2025 at the said time to give your biometrics and drop off your passport and other required documents (usually it’s current passport, your old passport that has your current/expired US visa, DS-160 confirmation and appointment confirmation).
P.S. Some of your information in this comment is redacted for privacy.
Clara P. says
Thank you for this guide! On the “Country of Permanent Residence” – if I live in the US with under a temporary work VISA (H1B, which lasts 6 years), can I still put United States in that field? I do not have a green card.
Thirumal Motati says
Hi Clara! Even though it’s not mandatory, but it is still important to match the information in your US visa appointment with your DS-160. In DS-160 (section: Personal 2), there is a specific question if you are a permanent resident of any country and obviously, you might have selected “No” for it. So the same applies here. You will enter the country of your nationality/passport for this question.
That said, though H1B has dual intent, it still is a “non-immigrant” visa. So your residence in the US on an H1B is still considered temporary.
Sunny says
Hello Thirumal, thank you very much for the detailed guide. I filled up my DS 160 form while referring to your blog. It’s helpful.
I am an Indian passport holder, residing in France on a work visa. I clicked on the link provided above but it says that “Visa information and appointment scheduling is no longer provided for this country by this service. For information on how to receive visa services please visit: https://www.usembassy.gov.”
Do you know what’s the latest updated information on this front?
Thirumal Motati says
Yes. A few countries in Europe and Africa, including France are moved to the new US visa appointment system. Here is the link to the new appointment system: https://usvisaappt.com/visa/. When you are on the new website, scroll to the bottom and click on the link France. Then click on Login and then click on New User.
Jessica says
Thank you very much for this great extremely detailed guide!
Can I ask you a question?
What should I do if I have a dependent, but when I click “Add applicant”, the text “You cannot add different case numbers to an existing group. Do you want to create a new group?” emerges?
Thirumal Motati says
Hi Jessica! When you click on “Yes” for the “Add applicant”, it usually opens a “New Applicant” page, where you can add your dependent’s details. But if you are not able to do so, there must been something wrong. Can you send me a screenshot of the error to my email thirumal@visatraveler.com so I can understand the issue?