Watch this guide as a video
The two portals you need — and the new rule that changes everything
Booking a US visa appointment involves two completely separate portals. The first is the DS-160 portal, where you fill and submit your visa application form. The second is the visa scheduling portal (usvisascheduling.com), where you pay your fee and book your interview slot. Many applicants get confused because the portals look different and serve different purposes — but you must use them in sequence.
Here is the critical change: from 1 April 2026, you must submit your DS-160 form first before you can proceed to book your appointment. The old workflow no longer applies. So start with the DS-160 and only move to the scheduling portal once you have your DS-160 confirmation number in hand.
Step 1 — Filling and submitting your DS-160 form
Go to the official DS-160 portal (ceac.state.gov). The very first thing it asks you is to select your location. You will see all five Indian consulates listed. At this stage you may not know which consulate your appointment will be at — that is fine. Simply pick the one closest to where you live. You can sort that out later.
Save your Application ID immediately
Once you agree to the terms and conditions, the system generates your Application ID and prompts you to choose a security question. This is how you will log back into a partially completed form. I always take a screenshot of this screen the moment it appears — the Application ID is alphanumeric and easy to lose track of. Choose a security question whose answer you will not forget. Once you have saved those details, click Continue and the form itself begins.
What the DS-160 form covers
The form is lengthy — roughly seven to eight pages spread across six or seven tabs on the left-hand side. It asks for your personal details, your travel history, US-related information, your education background, and your work history. The dot on the left-hand tab bar moves forward as you complete each page, so you can always see your progress. The DS-160 is the only document the visa officer has in front of them during your interview, which is why filling it carefully and accurately matters so much.
How to log back in if you pause midway
If you need to stop and come back later, go to the same DS-160 portal URL, select the same location you originally chose, enter the CAPTCHA, and this time click 'Retrieve an application' instead of 'Start an application'. Enter your Application ID, your surname, your date of birth, and the answer to your security question, and you will be taken straight back to where you left off.
Want personalized feedback on your answers?
Shachi does 1-on-1 mock interviews — get real-time coaching before your consulate visit.
Book a Mock InterviewReview, submit, and save your confirmation page
Before you hit Submit, use the Review section at the top of the form to go back through every page and double-check all the information. Once you are satisfied, submit the form. You will receive a confirmation page — save it. You will need to bring it to both your biometric appointment and your visa interview.
What if you spot a mistake after submitting?
Here is a reassuring fact: in India, you have the flexibility to fill a completely new DS-160 form even after you have already submitted one. You simply bring both the old and the new confirmation page to your biometrics appointment and get it updated there. So if you filled the form in a rush and later realise something needs correcting, do not panic — fill a fresh form and bring both pages to biometrics. That said, I strongly recommend starting the DS-160 well in advance so you have enough time to get it right the first time.
Step 2 — Creating your account on the visa scheduling portal
Once your DS-160 is submitted and you have your confirmation number, head to usvisascheduling.com. The left side of the page shows terms and instructions — give it a quick read. The login panel is on the right. Since you are here for the first time, click 'Don't have an account? Sign up now.'
Before you start creating the account, make sure you have three things ready: your DS-160 confirmation number, your passport, and a valid email address you can access immediately. The system sends an OTP to your email during sign-up, so you need to be able to retrieve it in real time.
Account creation — what each field requires
Username: use your name and add a few numbers or extra letters to make it unique. Password: it must contain at least one capital letter, one number, and one special character — the system will reject it otherwise, so get this right from the start. Given name and surname: these must match your passport exactly, character for character. Do not abbreviate or rearrange. Security questions: pick questions whose answers you will remember without any effort — something like your favourite food or your first job works well.
Enter your email address and request the verification code. The code will arrive in your inbox — enter it to verify your email, then click Create. One small but common frustration: if the portal says 'Passwords do not match' or 'Claim not verified', re-enter your password carefully and request a fresh verification code. This happens, and it is just a portal quirk rather than a sign that something is wrong with your application.
Once your account is created, log in using your new username and password, complete the CAPTCHA, and answer the security questions when prompted. From here you will proceed through the profile setup, dependent management if needed, document delivery selection, visa fee payment, and finally the appointment booking itself.
Sources
- Student Visa (F, M) — travel.state.gov(accessed 2026-05-15)
- DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application — travel.state.gov(accessed 2026-05-15)
Need help with your visa preparation?
Have questions after reading this guide? I’m happy to help.
Chat with Shachi on WhatsAppFrequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to fill the DS-160 form before booking my visa appointment?
Yes, as of April 1, 2026, you must submit your DS-160 form first and then use the confirmation number to book your appointment on the scheduling portal. The old order (book first, DS-160 later) no longer works.
- What happens if I made a mistake on my DS-160 form after submitting it?
You can fill a brand-new DS-160 form at any time before your interview. In India, you bring both the old and new confirmation pages to your biometrics appointment and the record gets updated there.
- How do I log back into my DS-160 form if I didn't finish it in one sitting?
Go to the same DS-160 portal, select the same consulate location, and click 'Retrieve an Application' instead of 'Start an Application.' You'll need the alphanumeric application ID you received when you first started — take a screenshot of it so you don't lose it.
- What information do I need before creating my account on the visa scheduling website?
Have three things ready: your submitted DS-160 confirmation number, your passport, and a valid email address. The email is used to send a one-time verification code during sign-up, so it must be one you can access immediately.
- Does my name on the visa scheduling account need to match my passport?
Yes, enter your given name and surname exactly as they appear in your passport when creating the account on usvisascheduling.com — any mismatch can cause issues at the consulate.
- What are the password requirements for the US visa scheduling portal?
Your password must include at least one uppercase letter, one number, and one special character. If you get a 'passwords do not match' error, simply re-enter both fields carefully before trying to create the account again.
