If you are a temporary visitor to Canada or are currently working, studying, or visiting the U.S., you must obtain an appointment to apply for a visa.

The fee for using this service is CA$8.75 payable by one of the following credit cards:

• VISA
• MasterCard
• American Express

If you prefer to make an appointment by telephone you must call a user-pays phone service. This service is operated by the Visa Information Services Centre, a private Toronto-based contractor that handles the Consulate Generals' appointment system.

For general information on how to obtain visas to visit, work, study or live in the United States, please call one of the appropriate Visa Information Services Centre numbers below:

* IVR (Interactive Voice Response) is Recorded Information. This line offers the caller both the option to listen to recorded information as well as speak to a live agent, whereas the 900 lines are split into two separate lines.

Note: Many office phones and all pay phones are set to block calls to 900 numbers. If the 900 telephone service is not available from your area, please contact: 1-888-840-0032 from Canada and the U.S. You will be asked to provide your credit card number. Or call toll free 1-800-283-4356 for a list of all 1-900 and 1-800 visa information lines.

The per-minute charge applies as soon as your call is connected to the call-center system. Depending on the volume of calls, you may have to wait for connection to an actual operator. We recommend that you avoid peak periods to minimize waiting time. Callers wishing to dispute charges for using this service should telephone 1-800-714-7586.

Call the appropriate telephone number and use the Visa Information Services Centre's automated appointment system. The system assigns a reference number - please write it down - which is used in all future transactions regarding the appointment. You will be offered appointments no sooner than 2 weeks in the future. Follow the instructions on the automated menu to make an appointment at the desired date and time.

In the event you lose or misplace your reference number, please call one of the numbers answered by a Live Operator and the representative will be able to assist you.

• Temporary Visitor Visas
• Temporary Work Visas
• Student Visas
• Exchange Visitors
• Treaty Trader or Investor Visas
• Admission under the Free Trade Agreement
• Visa Waiver Program
• Visa Forms and Fees
• Fiancé(e) Visas
• Immigration through a Family Member
• Immigrating Adopted Children
• General Immigration Information
• Visa Lottery - Diversity Immigrant Program
• Employment Based Visas for Canadians
• Special Registration (NSEERS)
• Transit without Visa
• Emergency Visa Scheduling
• Returning Resident/Re-entry permits
• Lost, Stolen, Mutilated Green Cards
• Conditional Residents
• Entry with Valid Visa, Expired Passport

All U.S. Consulates in Canada require that visa fee payments be deposited to any branch of Scotia Bank in advance of the appointment. Bring two copies of your stamped deposit slip - the bank will retain the third copy. Detailed instructions appear on the page for each of the U.S. Consulates.

• Download the deposit slips for printing - French
• Download the deposit slips for printing - English

Use the link below to find a list of categories of non-immigrant visas, and the documents required for each.

Special Notice: In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks against New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania, temporary special processing requirements have been imposed on non-immigrant visa applicants. These requirements may lead to a delay of as much as 60 days in visa issuance.

All visa applicants should apply well in advance of anticipated travel to the U.S. to avoid any inconvenience as a result of the special processing requirements.

More information is available at the page linked below.

The form(s) you require may be downloaded from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web site.

You must have installed Adobe Acrobat, a free download, in order to view and print these forms.

• Form DS-156

In addition, form DS-157 is required of all male visa applicants aged 16 to 45, and all adult applicants from Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. All persons applying for any visa at the US Consulate General in Toronto must complete this form.

• Form DS-157

All applicants for Student or Exchange Visitor Visas (F, J or M) must complete form DS-158, linked below.

• Form DS-158

Please do not call the Consulate directly. Operators at the Visa Information Services Centre can give you information about the application procedures and fees. This appointment system makes it possible for potential applicants to get more comprehensive information ahead of a scheduled interview and more efficient service upon their arrival at the Consulate General.

Travelers from around the world will come to Vancouver in 2010 to attend the Olympic Games. Flights into and out of Canada often involve transiting the United States. Others will plan to also visit the U.S. during the course of the Olympics. It is important to understand that travelers from most countries will require a U.S. visa to enter the United States - even in many cases where they do not require a visa to enter Canada. See the page linked below for more information.

If you are in need of an emergency or an expedited visa appointment, use the following link for instructions.

Please review the Security procedures in advance of your appointment. These concern what items you may bring along with you to your appointment, and also which persons may accompany you.