HOW TO APPLY FOR A NON-IMMIGRANT VISA
How you apply for a visa depends on which visa type you are applying for. If you have questions on which visa is appropriate for your visit to the United States please see the visa information page.
The recommended first step in the visa process is to complete the DS-160 Application via the Internet. After your DS-160 form is complete, a print out of the bar code must be generated and brought to all appointments.
After generating the barcode sheet, the following are the basic steps that need to be completed:
Step 1: Decide if you would like to schedule your visa interview and offsite data collection by using either the telephone or the
Internet. Pay the peso equivalent of USD $26.00 to receive a personal identification number (PIN).
Step 2: Pay the equivalent of USD $131.00 application fee at any Banamex branch.
Step 3: Use your chosen method, either a telephone or the
Internet to schedule your appointments.
Step 4: Attend appointment at ASC for data collection.
Step 5: Attend appointment at the Consulate for your visa interview.
Step 1: Pay the equivalent of USD $26 scheduling service PIN fee
If you are a P1, or group applicant you must use the Internet to obtain your PIN and schedule your appointments. All other applicants may either purchase their PIN’s on the internet or at any Banamex branch for $26. A PIN purchased online may only be used with the online scheduling service and a PIN purchased at Banamex may only be used with the phone scheduling service. This PIN will be used to schedule both the appointment at the ASC for data collection and at the Consulate for your interview. This fee does not guarantee visa issuance; this payment only covers the cost of off-site data collection and courier service delivery of any approved visas.
Step 2: Pay equivalent of USD $131.00 application fee
This fee must be paid prior to your interview and can be paid at any Banamex branch. All fees must be paid in Mexican pesos and in cash. A passport valid for the duration of your planned stay in the U.S. must be presented when the fee is paid. Overpayments cannot be refunded. This fee does not guarantee visa issuance; the payment only covers the visa application process and interview with a Consular Officer.
Step 3: Schedule your appointments
If you bought your PIN online then you must use it to schedule your appointments on the ASC website. If you purchased your PIN at a Banamex branch you will need to wait 24 hours for it to activate and then schedule your appointments over the phone. Remember all appointments for P1, or group visas must be scheduled through the ASC website. When scheduling your appointment you are encouraged to plan ahead, taking into account current wait times , and the possible 3-5 week visa processing time.
By telephone (Only if you purchased your PIN at Banamex), please call:
01-800-112-8500
By Internet (Only if you purchased your PIN online.) Complaints: 01-800-719-2525 (Toll-free from within Mexico) |
Call Center Hours of Operation: |
Operators are available: |
Monday through Friday | from 7 A.M. to 9 P.M. |
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays | from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. |
NOTE: If an applicant misses their consulate appointment and they have already been to the ASC, agents can reschedule them on the 01 900 849-4949 service and applicants do not need to purchase another PIN if their ASC appointment was less than 3 months prior. If their ASC appointment was greater than 3 months prior, applicants should be instructed to purchase another PIN.
Agents who reschedule applicants on the 900 services (who have been to the ASC within the 3 month window), will reschedule the applicants for both their ASC and consulate appointment in the system but can tell the applicant they do not have to attend their ASC appointment
Helpful hint: To expedite your call (and reduce your telephone costs), you should have the visa applicant’s passport in hand to provide necessary information to the telephone operator. The Scheduling Service operator will ask for the full name and applicant’s passport number (Note: the passport must be valid for the duration of your proposed stay in U.S.).
Step 4: Attend appointment at ASC for data collection
The Applicant Service Center is located at Hidalgo 400 Pte Street, corner of Hidalgo and Rayon St. It is important to arrive at the ASC appointment at your scheduled time. Make sure you bring passports, Banamex receipts, and the printout of your CEAC bar code. At the Service Center, your application will be registered and your photo and fingerprints will be taken. You will receive a bar code from the Applicant Service Center that confirms your registration, as well as, a delivery receipt from DHL for the delivery of any approved visas. You will need to bring these items to the Consulate on the day of your interview.
Step 5: Attend appointment at Consulate for interview
Arrive on time for your interview at the consulate. The Consulate schedules a high volume of visa interviews daily. If you fail to appear for your interview at the correct time you may be asked to reschedule your appointment.
At the visa applicant door of the Consulate, please present the following items to the greeter:
The CEAC confirmation page with attached ACS barcode
Passport valid for the duration of your proposed stay in the U.S
Original Banamex receipt for the $131.00 non-refundable application fee
DHL delivery receipt
For petition based applications: DHS notices of approval, DS-2019, I-20, etc.
For children applying for the first time, birth certificates and parent’s visas
Any prior visas to the U.S.
At the interview window, the Consular Officer will need all of these documents and may ask to see additional supporting documentation. For more details on what other documents may be appropriate to bring, please visit the helpful supporting documents page. Make sure to have your documentation organized and ready to present to the officer.
SPECIAL REMINDERS: If you have a visa that was lost or stolen, be sure to bring the original police report. See Lost and Stolen Visas for more information.
It is important to be honest during the interview; do not accept advice to mislead the Consular Officer. Misleading, lying, and/or presenting false or altered documentation may result in permanent visa ineligibility.
If no additional processing is needed, and your visa application is approved, you will receive your visa at the designated DHL office or at the address that you registered previously with DHL. Approximate wait times are as follows:
Laser visa (credit card size) – 3 to 5 weeks
Laser visa (pasted in your passport – BBBCV) – 3 to 4 days
Other visa categories or if the visa is approved for a specific event – 3 to 4 days
If you do not receive your visa or a notification from the Consulate within the delivery timeframe, please contact DHL at the Applicant Service Center, phone 01-800-765-6345.
Remember: do not make travel plans until you receive your visa.
How to Apply
CEAC Visa Application
Helpful Supporting Documents
Tourist / Business Visa
