How to Book an Appointment for a U.S. Visa In Saudi Arabia

US visa interview appointments in Saudi Arabia are arranged online through a system that manages interview scheduling and application tracking. Applicants must provide accurate information and follow specific instructions to secure an available slot. This article explains how the process works and where to get a compliant US visa photo.

Table of contents

• Who can apply for a US visa in Saudi Arabia?
• Where US visa interviews take place in Saudi Arabia
• US visa application process step-by-step
• Get a photo for a US visa application online!
• Required documents for your visa interview
• What happens after the interview?
• US visa appointment wait times in Saudi Arabia
• FAQ

Who can apply for a US visa in Saudi Arabia?

You are eligible to book an interview for a U.S. visa in Saudi Arabia if you fall into one of the following categories:

• Saudi citizens: You can apply for a U.S. visa at any of the three U.S. diplomatic missions within Saudi Arabia.
• Legal residents: Foreign nationals with a valid residency (Iqama) in Saudi Arabia are eligible to apply. You must provide proof of your legal residency.
• Yemeni nationals: Due to the absence of regular U.S. consular operations in Yemen, the U.S. government has specifically designated the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as the processing post for Yemeni nationals applying for U.S. visas.

Where US visa interviews take place in Saudi Arabia

When scheduling your appointment, you will need to choose your interview location. Below, we explain where interviews are held in Saudi Arabia.

The United States has three visa-issuing offices in KSA:

• Non-immigrant visa interviews: Conducted at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and the U.S. Consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran.
• Immigrant visa interviews: Exclusively held at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh.

Here are the addresses and contact details for the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia:

U.S. Embassy Riyadh

• Address: Abdullah Ibn Hudhafah As Sahmi Street, Roundabout No. 9, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
• Phone: +966 (11) 835-4000 (local); +966 (11) 488-3800 (from outside Saudi Arabia)
• Emergency After-Hours: +966 (11) 488-3800
• Website: sa.usembassy.gov

U.S. Consulate General Jeddah

• Address: Al Safa Street, Al Muhammadiyah District, near the new American School building, Jeddah 23616, Saudi Arabia
• P.O. Box 149, Jeddah 21411
• Phone: +966 (12) 220-5000
• Email: Jeddahacs@state.gov

U.S. Consulate Dhahran

• Address: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 34464, Saudi Arabia
• P.O. Box 38955, Dhahran Airport 31942
• Phone: +966 (13) 330-3200 or (966-3) 330-3200
• Email: Dhahranacs@state.gov

US visa application process step-by-step

Obtaining a U.S. visa involves several stages, including completing the online form, paying the visa fee, and scheduling an interview appointment.

Step 1: Choose your U.S. visa type

Start by selecting the visa type that matches the purpose of your trip:

• Tourism, business, or medical treatment: Most travelers apply for a B-1 or B-2 visitor visa.
• Study or employment: Students and temporary workers must apply for the visa category that corresponds to their program or job, such as F-1, M-1, H-1B, or L-1.
• Permanent immigration: Applicants seeking permanent residence in the United States must apply for an immigrant visa, usually based on a family-sponsored or employment-based petition.

Step 2: Complete the DS-160 form

For nonimmigrant visas, fill out the DS-160 online application form at ceac.state.gov. After submitting the form, download and print the confirmation page containing the barcode number. You must present this document at your visa interview.

For detailed instructions, see our guide on how to complete Form DS-160 correctly.

Step 3: Pay the U.S. visa fee in Saudi Arabia

Pay the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee through the official U.S. visa appointment website for Saudi Arabia. You can read more about U.S. visa fee payment options in Saudi Arabia here.

Choose your preferred payment method and keep the payment receipt, as you will need the receipt number when scheduling your interview. Once your payment is activated in the system, log in to your profile and use your CGI reference number to book your appointment.

Step 4: Schedule VAC biometrics and interview

Schedule two appointments: one at the Visa Application Center (VAC) for biometrics and another at the embassy or consulate for your interview. To book your appointment, you will need:

• A valid passport;
• Your DS-160 confirmation number;
• Your MRV payment receipt number.

Where can I apply for a US tourist visa in Saudi Arabia? For non-immigrant visas choose one of the following interview locations:

• U.S. Embassy in Riyadh.
• U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah.
• U.S. Consulate General in Dhahran.

For immigrant U.S. visa applications:

• U.S. Embassy in Riyadh only.

The system will display available appointment dates and times. Select the option that best fits your schedule. Confirm your appointment and save and print the booking page.

Step 5: Attend your visa interview

Arrive at the embassy or consulate on the scheduled date with all required documents.

During the interview, a consular officer will ask questions about your travel plans, personal background, and ties to Saudi Arabia. Most interviews last only a few minutes. Answer all questions clearly, accurately, and honestly.

At the end of the interview, the officer will inform you whether your visa has been approved, refused, or placed under additional administrative processing.

Get a photo for a US visa application online!

A compliant visa photo is an essential part of your U.S. visa application. Here you'll learn how to create a photo that meets official U.S. requirements without visiting a photo studio.

Modern online photo tools make it possible to prepare a professional-quality visa photo in just a few minutes. With Visafoto, the process takes only two simple steps:

1. Upload a photo taken in good natural lighting to the Visafoto tool below.
2. Select the country and document type (United States, visa).

That’s it! Visafoto does the rest automatically. The service adjusts the photo to comply with U.S. visa photo requirements, including the correct size, background, head position, and overall formatting. You receive both a digital file for online applications and a print-ready version.

Visafoto improves photo quality as needed. It optimizes lighting to create a studio-like effect, enhances image clarity and resolution, and corrects framing if the original photo was cropped too tightly. You don't need to take a new photo; you can photograph an existing passport photo with your phone, and Visafoto will optimize the scan quality.

If your uploaded photo already meets quality standards, no unnecessary changes are applied.

Example of a photo you can upload to Visafoto:

Result after Visafoto processing:

Visafoto has a 99.7% approval rate and has helped applicants obtain more than 1 million accepted document photos. Every photo comes with a compliance guarantee: if your image is rejected because it fails to meet official U.S. requirements, you receive a full refund. Our technical support is available 24/7.

Required documents for your visa interview

Bringing the right documents to your visa interview helps avoid delays and allows the consular officer to review your application efficiently. While some documents are required for every applicant, additional evidence depends on the type of visa you are requesting. Below is a checklist of the documents you should prepare before your interview.

Required documents for all applicants

Regardless of your visa category, bring the following documents to your interview:

• A passport valid for at least six months beyond your planned date of entry to the United States, with at least one blank page for the visa.
• Visa application confirmation page:
  • Nonimmigrant visa applicants must present the DS-160 confirmation page with the barcode.
  • Immigrant visa applicants must present the DS-260 confirmation page.
• Appointment confirmation letter from the online booking system.
• Two recent color photographs measuring 5 cm × 5 cm (2 × 2 inches) that meet U.S. visa photo requirements.
• Proof of payment of the visa application fee, if applicable.

Supporting documents by visa category

Visitor visas (B-1/B-2):

• Employment letter confirming your position, salary, and approved leave.
• Bank statements from the last three to six months.
• Travel plans, including flight reservations and accommodation details.
• Invitation letter from a host in the United States, if applicable.
• Evidence of ties to Saudi Arabia, such as property ownership documents, lease agreements, family records, or proof of ongoing studies.

Student visas (F-1):

• Form I-20 issued by a U.S. educational institution.
• SEVIS fee payment receipt.
• Official admission or acceptance letter from the school.

Employment visas (H-1B, L-1, and others):

• Form I-797 approval notice.
• Letter from the sponsoring employer describing the position, duties, and compensation package.

Immigrant visas:

Immigrant visa applicants must bring the civil and financial documents requested by the National Visa Center (NVC):

• Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, from each sponsor, along with supporting tax documents.
• Proof of the petitioner's U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status, such as a passport, naturalization certificate, or Green Card.
• Evidence of the family relationship, including photographs, correspondence, and other supporting records.
• Original marriage certificate, if applicable.
• Original divorce decrees or death certificates from previous marriages, if applicable.
• Original birth certificates for the applicant and any accompanying children.

What happens after the interview?

The next steps after your U.S. visa interview in Saudi Arabia depend on the consular officer's decision. There are three possible outcomes of your application: approved, refused (pending further action), or denied. Below, we explain what to expect in each scenario.

If your visa is approved

• Verbal notification: For most non-immigrant visas, the consular officer will usually inform you of approval before you exit the interview.
• Passport handling: Your passport remains with the embassy for visa printing.
• Processing duration: Generally, it takes a few business days for your visa to be processed and affixed in your passport.
• Passport retrieval: You will receive instructions on how to collect your passport with the visa.

If your visa is denied

• Explanation: The consular officer will explain why your visa application was denied.
• Waiver option: In some cases, they will inform you about the possibility of applying for a waiver of ineligibility.

If administrative processing is required

• Further review: A 221(g) refusal does not constitute a final denial. It means that the officer cannot finish processing your application because something is missing or requires further review.
• Variable timeline: The U.S. State Department recommends waiting at least 60 days after the interview to inquire about your status, since processing times vary by case.

For Immigrant Visas

• Document packet: You will get a sealed packet for U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon arrival.
• USCIS fee: Pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee online after visa issuance and prior to traveling.
• Entry deadline: Enter the U.S. by the visa expiration date, usually within six months of issue.

US visa appointment wait times in Saudi Arabia

The time it takes to secure a U.S. visa interview in Saudi Arabia varies throughout the year. Appointment availability depends on factors such as application demand, staffing levels, and the visa category you are applying for. Here you'll find information about current wait times and where to check the latest updates.

As of June 2026, applicants seeking a B-1/B-2 visitor visa at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh or the U.S. Consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran can expect to wait approximately four months for the next available interview appointment. This estimate refers only to the time required to obtain an interview slot and does not include any additional processing after the interview.

Because appointment availability changes regularly, always verify the latest information before making travel plans. The official U.S. Global Visa Wait Times page provides the most up-to-date U.S. visa appointment waiting times for Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran.

We wish you a smooth and successful U.S. visa application process!

FAQ

How early should I book my US visa interview?

Book your interview as soon as you submit the DS-160 form and pay the visa application fee. Since appointment availability can be limited, it is advisable to begin the process at least three to four months before your planned travel date.

Can I reschedule the interview date?

Yes. Log in to your account on the official U.S. visa appointment website for Saudi Arabia and select the option to reschedule your appointment. Choose a new available date and confirm the change. Keep in mind that appointment availability may be limited, and the number of reschedules may be restricted.

Do children need a separate visa interview appointment?

Yes. Each applicant, including children under 14, must have an individual appointment. A parent or legal guardian must accompany minors to the embassy or consulate and bring any required supporting documents, including proof of the parent-child relationship.

Can Saudi citizens apply for a US visa outside of Saudi Arabia?

Generally, no. U.S. visas should be applied for in your country of nationality or residence. Saudi citizens should apply in Saudi Arabia unless they can demonstrate legal residence in another country.