Third Country Nationals (TCNs) who wish to apply for a U.S. non-immigrant visa in Canada or Mexico must make an appointment for an interview at a U.S. Consulate. Appointments may be scheduled by telephone or internet. Appointments may not be made in person. Please be aware that it is generally more difficult for applicants to obtain visas when they are outside their home country. Therefore, it is best to discuss this option with your International Student and Scholar Advisor.
If you are a Canadian citizen, you do not need a visa to enter the United States. However, Mexican citizens and landed immigrants in Canada (including those from a British Commonwealth country) seeking to enter the United States as non-immigrants must obtain a U.S. visa.
Please keep in mind that individuals from certain countries may need a visa to enter Canada or Mexico. For information about entry visas for Canada, contact the Embassy of Canada at (202) 682-1740. For information about entry visas for Mexico, contact the Embassy of Mexico at (202) 728-7600.
Non-immigrant visa services are provided at border posts in Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Internet: Appointments can be made online and cost $9.50 (CAN). Payment must be made with a major credit card.
Phone: To make an appointment by phone, call (900) 443-3131 (from the United States). The cost of this call is $1.89 (USD) per minute. You may also call (888) 840-0032 from the United States or Canada, and charges will be billed to your major credit card.
After the appointment is made, you will be mailed an application form (DS-156) and more information. Be sure to bring your interview confirmation letter, visa application, and supporting materials with you to the interview. For more information, please visit www.amcits.com. | |
Non-immigrant visas can be obtained at the border posts in Ciudad Juarez, Matamoros, Nogales, Nuevo Laredo, and Tijuana.
Phone: If you are a Mexican citizen or a TCN currently residing in Mexico, you must make the appointment by phone by calling (900) 476-1212 (from the United States). You may also call (800) 919-1754, and charges will be billed to your major credit card. Telephone operators are available Monday-Friday, 7:00am-9:00pm Central Time and Saturday and Sunday, 9:00am-3:00pm Central Time.
Internet: All others should make an appointment online. |
- Renewals of F, H, J, and O visas, if the initial visa was issued in the applicant's home country or at one of the border posts in the past few years.
- Applications for visas that reflect a change of status (e.g., F-1 to H-1B or F-1 to J) if the applicant has the original change of status notice (I-797) from DHS and the applicant originally entered the United States in other than B status.
- Applications for those with B visas issued in the home country that include an annotation indicating they are entering the United States with an intent to change visa status, such as "Prospective Student."
- Individuals who have been out of status in the United States because of a violation of the terms of the visa or overstayed the validity indicated on the I-94 card.
- TCNs who are not residents in the appropriate consular district and wish to apply for B visas.
- Individuals who are citizens of Iran, Sudan, Cuba and Syria.
If you must cancel an interview, call (888) 611-6676 at least two full working days in advance.