Non-Immigrant Visas

Do I Need a Visa?

Learn more about the non-immigrant visa process

The information on this site applies to visa applications submitted at U.S. Consulates in Australia. If you have previously had a U.S. visa, please read the instructions to establish if you are eligible to renew your visa by mail. If you do not meet the requirements for applying by mail,you must apply in person at the U.S. Consulate in your region. Please follow the steps on this page to complete an application and schedule an appointment.

How Do I Apply?

Before beginning, please determine which type of visa you need or whether you may be able to travel without a visa.

Please read the six steps below carefully before beginning your visa application.

• Step 1: Prepare an appropriate Photo
• Step 2: Complete the online DS-160 application form and print the confirmation page
• Step 3: Book an appointment online
• Step 4: Pay the application fee
• Step 5: Gather additional required documents
• Step 6: Personally appear at the U.S. Consulate with: DS-160 Confirmation Page, Appointment Confirmation, Original Australia Post receipt, Pre-Paid Self-addressed Envelope, and other required documents

Step 1: To complete your online visa application, you need a digital photo. Please read carefully the requirements to upload your photo and the photo specifications before you begin completing your application. You must upload a photo in order to submit your application. If the photo you upload is not accepted as suitable, or is not a photo of yourself, you will be given the option to continue without a photo. In this instance only, where you have successfully submitted the application, you may bring a photo meeting the above requirements to your interview. Please see our list of photographers in Australia capable of making U.S. style passport/visa photographs.

Step 2: ALL visa applicants are required to fill in the online application form (DS-160). Once completed, the information in the DS-160 will be electronically transmitted. The applicant must then print the confirmation page that includes some biographical information and a bar code confirmation number. Applicants must bring the DS-160 Confirmation Page to their interview.

NOTE - As you complete the visa application, save a copy on your hard drive and ‘save’ often. Fill out all required information completely and correctly, including selecting the appropriate visa type. Significant errors or information marked as “N/A”, “Nil”, etc. may result in your application being rejected at the time of your interview. This would require you to complete the entire application again and to reschedule your interview.

Frequently asked questions for the Online DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application

Step 3: Make an appointment for a non-immigrant visa interview at the Consulate you selected at the start of the DS-160 online visa application. You are advised to apply at the Consulate in your region. To schedule an appointment to apply for a non-immigrant U.S. visa in Australia, use the VisaPoint service. Read more information regarding appointments and points of contact.

Step 4: Pay the non-refundable application fee of US$131 (see our fees page for fees in Australian dollars). This fee can only be paid at an Australia Post outlet. Please advise the counter assistant that you would like to pay the U.S. non-immigration visa application fee. Bring the original receipt for this payment to your interview. Only the original receipt may be submitted to the Consulate. The fee receipt will be retained by the Consulate, so if you require a personal copy, please request a duplicate copy from Australian Post. The fee receipt is valid for one year from the date of issuance. Applicants must bring the original Australia Post application fee receipt to their interview.

Step 5: Gather the documents you must bring with you on the day of your interview. Use the checklist below to ensure you have met all of the requirements:

Non-immigrant Visa Checklist

• DS-160 application confirmation page
• Original application fee receipt from Australia Post
• Current valid passport
• Appointment confirmation page from VisaPoint
• A self-addressed Express Post Platinum envelope, Registered Post envelope or courier satchel
• Other required documents – these vary based on your visa category and individual circumstances

Step 6: Submit the above documents in person> on your designated appointment date. Please read our instructions for entering the Consulate General, and our pre-appointment guide for further information.

If approved, applicants receive their passport and visa by mail. This usually takes 3-4 business days, but can take longer, depending on individual circumstances. Arrival after mailing is dependent on the Australian postal system. As it is registered mail, an adult will have to be home to sign for receipt of the package.

The Consulate General cannot be held responsible for extra costs due to changing tickets or rebooking flights if delivery is delayed. We therefore strongly urge you not to purchase tickets until you have received your visa and passport in the mail. When you have received your visa it is important to check it. See our page on how to check your visa.

Please take some time to read our frequently asked questions page.