How to Reschedule Your US Visa Appointment

You can reschedule most US visa appointments online through the same portal where you booked it, usually without paying a new fee

The process depends on which consulate or embassy you're dealing with and how far away your appointment is. Most posts let you log into your account, cancel the current slot, and book a new one in the same session. A few require you to call or email instead. The key is acting before your appointment date arrives — once you miss it, rescheduling becomes harder and may involve additional steps or fees.

You'll need your confirmation number (also called a case number or receipt number) and the password you created when you first booked. If you've lost either one, you can request a new confirmation email from the portal, but this takes a day or two. Don't wait until the day before your appointment to reschedule if you can help it; the system sometimes locks you out a few days before the scheduled time.

Key Takeaways

• Most US visa appointments can be rescheduled through the online portal using your confirmation number and password, without paying a second fee.
• A small number of consulates require you to call or email to reschedule instead of using the portal.
• Once you miss an appointment, rescheduling usually requires contacting the consulate directly and may involve a new fee or a longer wait.
• If you've lost your confirmation number, request a new one from the portal before you try to reschedule.
• Some consulates stop allowing online rescheduling a few days before your appointment date, so don't wait until the last minute.

Rescheduling through the online portal

Log into the visa appointment system for your specific country and consulate. The URL varies — for example, applicants in India use a different portal than those in Mexico. You'll find the correct link on your consulate's official website under "visa appointments" or "schedule an appointment."

Enter your confirmation number and password. Once you're logged in, you should see your current appointment listed with options to "reschedule" or "cancel and reschedule." Click that option. The system will show you available dates at your consulate, usually sorted by how soon they are. Select the new date and time that works for you, then confirm. You'll receive a new confirmation email with your updated appointment details within a few minutes.

Keep this new confirmation email and your new confirmation number. Print both or save them to your phone — you'll need them when you arrive for your appointment. The fee you paid for your original appointment covers the rescheduled one; you should not be charged again.

When you have to reschedule by phone or email

A handful of consulates, particularly in smaller cities or countries with lower visa volume, don't offer online rescheduling. If the portal doesn't show a reschedule option, check your consulate's website for a phone number or email address labeled "visa appointments" or "administrative services." Call or email during their listed business hours.

When you contact them, have your confirmation number ready and explain that you need to move your appointment. They'll ask for your name, passport number, and the date you currently have scheduled. They may offer you available slots over the phone, or they may ask you to call back after they've checked their calendar. Some consulates email you a new appointment confirmation; others mail it. Ask which method they use and when you can expect to receive it.

What happens if you miss your appointment

If your appointment date passes and you did not reschedule beforehand, you've missed it. The system will mark your case as "no-show." You cannot simply log back in and book a new slot — the portal will block you from scheduling until you've resolved the missed appointment with the consulate.

Contact the consulate directly by phone or email and explain that you missed your appointment. Some consulates will let you reschedule with a brief explanation and no penalty. Others charge a fee to reschedule after a no-show, or they require you to restart the visa process and pay the full visa fee again. A few require you to wait a set period (often 30 days) before you can reschedule. The policy varies widely by location, so call as soon as you realize you've missed it.

Rescheduling when you're in a different country

If you need to reschedule your appointment but you're now in a country other than where you originally booked, you have two options: reschedule at your original consulate, or transfer your case to a different one.

Rescheduling at the original consulate is simpler — you can do it online if the portal allows it, and you'll keep your original case number and fee. You'll just need to travel back to that country for your new appointment, or arrange to have someone else attend on your behalf if the consulate permits it (policies vary).

Transferring your case to a different consulate is more complicated. You must contact the original consulate in writing, explain that you've moved, and request a transfer. They'll send your file to the new consulate, which can take weeks. Once it arrives, you can reschedule through the new consulate's system. This route is worth it only if traveling back to your original consulate is genuinely impossible.

Rescheduling for visa types that require an interview

Most visa categories — tourist, student, work, family-based — require an in-person interview at the consulate. Rescheduling these appointments follows the process described above: use the portal if it's available, or call the consulate if it isn't. You'll need to attend the interview on your new date; you cannot reschedule it again without contacting the consulate directly.

A few visa types, like certain diversity visa (DV) cases or consular processing cases, may have additional steps or longer processing times. If your case involves consular processing, check your case status on the State Department's website before you reschedule, because your file may still be in transit between offices.

Documents and information to have ready

Before you reschedule, gather these items so you have them on hand:

• Your confirmation number (from your original appointment confirmation email)
• Your passport number
• Your full name as it appears on your passport
• Your date of birth
• The date of your current appointment
• Your password for the visa appointment portal (or the ability to request a password reset)

If you're calling the consulate, have all of these written down before you dial. If you're using the online portal, you'll only need your confirmation number and password. Either way, having this information ready means you won't have to search for it mid-call or mid-session.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the visa fee again if I reschedule?

No. The fee you paid for your original appointment covers the rescheduled one. You should not be charged a second time if you reschedule before your appointment date. If you miss your appointment and the consulate requires you to restart the process, you may have to pay again — but this is rare and depends on the consulate's policy.

Can I reschedule my appointment the day before it's scheduled?

It depends on the consulate. Some portals lock you out of rescheduling a few days before your appointment to prevent last-minute cancellations. If the online portal won't let you reschedule, call the consulate directly — they may be able to move your appointment even if the system won't. But don't count on it; reschedule as soon as you know you need to.

What if the portal says there are no available appointments?

This means all slots at your consulate are booked. Check back daily — cancellations happen regularly as other applicants reschedule or miss their appointments, and new slots open up. You can also call the consulate and ask if they have any appointments that aren't showing in the online system, though this is uncommon.

Can someone else reschedule my appointment for me?

If you're using the online portal, you'll need your own confirmation number and password, so you have to do it yourself. If you're calling the consulate, you can ask a family member or friend to call on your behalf, but they'll need your confirmation number, passport number, and full name. Some consulates won't reschedule over the phone without speaking to the applicant directly, so ask first.

How long does it take to get a new appointment after I reschedule?

If you reschedule online, your new appointment is confirmed immediately and you'll receive a confirmation email within minutes. If you reschedule by phone or email, it can take anywhere from one day to two weeks, depending on the consulate's workload and how they process requests. Ask when you contact them so you know when to expect your new confirmation.