How to Log In to Your US Visa Appointment Account

Where to log in depends on which visa you are applying for

You do not log in through a single US government website. Instead, you log in through the system run by the visa processing center handling your case — and that depends on your visa type and which country you are in.

If you are applying for a visitor visa (B1/B2), student visa (F-1), work visa (H-1B, L-1, O-1), or most other nonimmigrant visas, you log in through the State Department's Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) at ceac.state.gov. If you are applying for an immigrant visa (green card) through a US embassy or consulate abroad, you use the National Visa Center (NVC) system at nvc.state.gov. If you are already in the US and adjusting status through USCIS, you log in through the USCIS online account system at uscis.gov.

The login credentials and what you see after logging in are different for each system. Using the wrong website will not get you to your appointment information.

Key Takeaways

• Nonimmigrant visas (visitor, student, work) use CEAC at ceac.state.gov; immigrant visas use NVC at nvc.state.gov; USCIS cases use uscis.gov.
• You need your passport number and the case ID or receipt number issued when you submitted your visa form to log in.
• After logging in, you can see your application status, interview appointment date and time, and required documents — but you cannot change the appointment date through the website.
• If you forget your password or cannot log in, contact the visa processing center directly rather than creating a new account.
• Some visa categories have their own separate portals; confirm which system applies to your visa type before trying to log in.

Logging in to CEAC for nonimmigrant visas

Go to ceac.state.gov and select your country from the dropdown menu. You will see a login screen asking for your passport number and case ID. Your case ID is the number on the receipt you received after submitting your DS-160 form (the online nonimmigrant visa application). If you do not have this number, check your email confirmation from when you submitted the form.

After you log in, you can see your application status, which moves through stages like "Application Received," "Administrative Processing," and "Ready for Interview." Once your interview is scheduled, the appointment date, time, and location will appear on this page. You will also see a list of documents the consulate requires you to bring.

The CEAC system does not let you reschedule or cancel your appointment online. If you need to change your date, you must contact the US embassy or consulate in your country directly — usually through their website or a phone line listed there.

Logging in to NVC for immigrant visas

If you are applying for an immigrant visa (green card) through a US embassy or consulate, go to nvc.state.gov. You will need your National Visa Center case number and your passport number. The NVC case number is different from a USCIS receipt number; it is issued by NVC when your case is transferred to them from USCIS.

In the NVC system, you can track which stage your case is in — whether it is waiting for documents from you, waiting for a visa interview slot to open, or ready for interview. The system will show your interview appointment once it is scheduled. Like CEAC, the NVC portal does not allow you to change your appointment date online.

The NVC system also lets you pay the visa processing fee and immigrant visa application fee online if you have not already done so. Some cases cannot move forward until these fees are paid.

Logging in to USCIS for adjustment of status

If you are in the United States and adjusting status to become a permanent resident (rather than going through a consulate abroad), you log in at uscis.gov using the USCIS online account system. You will need your receipt number (starts with EAD, I-765, I-131, or I-485, depending on which form you filed) and a password you created when you set up your account.

Once logged in, you can see your case status, any requests for additional evidence, and your biometrics or interview appointment if one has been scheduled. USCIS also sends appointment notices by mail, so check both the online system and your mailbox.

If you need to reschedule an adjustment interview, you can sometimes do this through the online account, but options vary. Contact USCIS directly through their case inquiry system if you need to change your date.

What to do if you cannot log in

If you have your case ID or receipt number but the system will not accept your password, try resetting your password through the "Forgot Password" link on the login page. If you do not have a case ID or receipt number, check your email for the confirmation message sent when you submitted your visa form — it should contain this number.

If you have the correct information and still cannot log in, do not create a second account. Instead, contact the visa processing center directly. For CEAC, find the contact information for your specific US embassy or consulate on state.gov. For NVC, call 1-603-334-0700 or use the NVC contact form at nvc.state.gov. For USCIS, use the case inquiry tool at uscis.gov or call 1-800-375-5283.

Processing centers can see your account and may be able to unlock it or resend your case ID if it is lost. Creating a duplicate account can delay your case.

Understanding what you see after logging in

After you log in, the first thing you will see is your case status. This tells you where your application is in the process. Status messages like "Application Received" mean the form was submitted but not yet reviewed. "Administrative Processing" means the consulate is reviewing your case and may be checking your background. "Ready for Interview" means an appointment slot has been assigned.

Below the status, you will see your interview appointment details: the date, time, and location. Write these down or take a screenshot. You will also see a checklist of documents you must bring. Read this list carefully — missing documents can result in your interview being rescheduled.

Some applicants see a message asking them to submit additional documents or pay a fee before the interview can be scheduled. If you see this, follow the instructions on the page. Do not ignore these requests, as they can delay your case indefinitely.

Logging in from outside the United States

If you are outside the US and accessing CEAC or NVC from another country, the websites should work the same way. However, some countries restrict access to certain US government websites. If you cannot reach ceac.state.gov or nvc.state.gov, try using a VPN (virtual private network) to access the site, or contact the US embassy or consulate in your country for help.

Some consulates also offer in-person assistance at their visa application centers if you cannot log in online. Check your local US embassy or consulate website for hours and whether they offer this service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my visa appointment date by logging in online?

No. CEAC, NVC, and USCIS portals show your appointment but do not let you reschedule through the website. You must contact the visa processing center directly — either the US embassy or consulate (for CEAC), the National Visa Center (for NVC), or USCIS (for adjustment cases) — to request a date change.

What if I forgot my case ID or receipt number?

Check your email for the confirmation message sent when you submitted your visa form. The case ID is usually in the subject line or body of that email. If you cannot find it, contact the visa processing center and provide your name, date of birth, and passport number — they can look up your case.

Is it safe to log in to these websites?

Yes. CEAC, NVC, and USCIS are official US State Department and USCIS websites. Make sure you are on the correct URL (ceac.state.gov, nvc.state.gov, or uscis.gov) and not a similar-looking site. Do not share your login information with anyone.

Why does my status say "Administrative Processing" and not change?

Administrative processing means the consulate is reviewing your case, which can take weeks or months. The status will not update until processing is complete. You can contact the consulate to ask how long it typically takes, but you cannot speed up the process through the online portal.

Can I log in on behalf of someone else?

No. Each applicant must log in with their own passport number and case ID. If you are helping a family member, they should log in themselves or give you their case ID so you can look up the information with their permission.