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How to apply for or renew a U.S. tourist visa

If you visit the U.S. for tourism or business, you may need a visitor visa, also known as a tourist visa. Learn how to get and renew this type of nonimmigrant visa.

To enter the U.S., you must bring a passport issued by your country of citizenship along with your visa. Officials at your port of entry into the U.S. will also issue you a Form I-94, which electronically records your arrival and departure dates. Learn more about Form I-94 and how to apply .

Find out if you need a visa to visit the U.S.

Check to see if your country participates in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) . If it does, you can get a waiver and will not need a visa. If you do not see your country listed, you will need a visitor visa.

Visitor (tourist) visa

The visitor visa, also known as a tourist visa, is a type of nonimmigrant visa for people who wish to temporarily enter the U.S. There are two categories:

• B-1 for business travel
• B-2 for tourism and medical treatment

Learn about B-1 and B-2 visas , including:

• Reasons you would need each type of visitor visa
• How to apply
• What documents you will need
• Application fees
• How to prepare for your interview at your U.S. embassy or consulate

How to renew a visitor visa

You must renew your visitor visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Only diplomatic visa holders and their dependents can renew their visas within the U.S.

The process to renew a visitor visa is the same as getting one for the first time. Follow the process to apply for a visitor visa from the Department of State.

Find the contact information for your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and contact them for visa renewal information.

LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023

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Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Citizens of qualified countries may be also able to visit the U.S. without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program . If you do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program or are traveling to study, work, or participate in an exchange program, you must apply for a nonimmigrant visa.

Applicants for U.S. visas are required to appear in person for a visa interview at the Embassy in Abidjan. You must schedule an appointment for that interview, either online using this website or through the call center .

To schedule a nonimmigrant visa appointment, you must have the following information and documents available:

• A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must submit an application.
• Your visa application fee payment receipt from Ecobank
• Your DS-160 confirmation page
• Your e-mail address
• If applicable, required documents based on visa class (such as a petition approval for petition-based visas; more information about visa types and information about each can be found here ).

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Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

10 Ways to Get Flight Itinerary for Visa Application (4 Free and 6 Paid)

Updated: September 11, 2023

Obtaining a flight itinerary for visa can be the most challenging and confusing aspect of the visa process. Embassies and consulates require confirmed flight tickets, but they do not advise purchasing actual tickets prior to visa approval. Confusing, isn’t it?

Consulates often request one of the following:

• Flight itinerary
• Flight reservation
• Travel itinerary
• Confirmed flight tickets
• Round-trip flight tickets
• Round-trip airline tickets
• Proof of onward travel
• Proof of return ticket

All of these terms essentially mean one thing: A Flight Itinerary .

Table of Contents

What is a flight itinerary for visa.

A flight itinerary for visa is essentially a flight booking made in your name that can be submitted as a flight ticket for your visa application. This can be a fully paid and confirmed flight ticket or a flight reservation held in your name for a specific duration. 

A flight reservation must be verifiable online on the airline’s website using a PNR number. The reservation must have details such as your full name, flight dates, flight numbers and airport codes. 

Visa applicants sometimes refer to a flight itinerary as a dummy ticket for visa . However, you will not see the word dummy ticket being used in official visa guidelines from the embassies.

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Why do embassies and consulates ask for a flight itinerary?

There are many reasons why embassies or consulates ask for a flight itinerary. They want to see your flight itinerary to determine your visa validity, to understand your travel plans and whether you require visas to other countries en route. 

01. To determine your visa validity

The consulate would like to know how long you plan to stay in the country. You will, of course, mention this information in the visa application. But a flight itinerary will confirm this information. 

For example, a Schengen visa is issued for the exact amount of days you request in your first application. If your itinerary is for 12 days, you will get the visa for 12 days. 

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: When I applied for my Schengen visa from the Spain consulate, my itinerary was for 21 days. My Schengen visa was issued with a validity of 30 days.

02. To understand your travel plans

A travel itinerary will help visa officers to understand whether you will be traveling directly from your home country or country of residence. Or you will be traveling from a third country. This also helps the visa officers request any additional documents.

For example, if you will be traveling from a third country, the embassy can ask for proof of residence in the third country or a complete round-trip ticket starting and ending in your home country.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: For my Malaysia visa, I submitted a flight itinerary for India-Malaysia and Malaysia-Vietnam, assuming that flights into and out of Malaysia would be sufficient. The embassy later asked me to upload complete round-trip tickets starting and ending in India (my home country), including any other countries. They wanted to make sure I was not going to remain in a third country and would return to India.

03. To determine whether you require a visa to third countries

If your travel itinerary includes a third country for which you require a visa, the embassy will ask you to prove that you have a visa to enter the third country. Similarly, if you have a stopover in a third country, the embassy would like to see if you have the proper visa to transit via a third country. 

For example, you are traveling from Dubai to France, France to the UK and then back to Dubai. The France embassy will notice that you will be traveling to the UK from France. If you require a visa for the UK, France will contact you asking to provide a copy of your UK visa. 

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: For my Schengen visa from the Spain embassy, my flight was via Mexico. I was planning to attend a friend’s wedding in Mexico before heading to Spain. The Spain consulate asked if I have a visa to enter Mexico. I had to explain to them that I can use my US visa to enter Mexico. 

Should You Book Flight Tickets Before Visa Approval?

No. You should not purchase your fight tickets before your visa approval. Embassies and consulates acknowledge that a visa application does not guarantee approval. They recommend submitting a flight reservation and not a fully-paid flight ticket. 

If your visa application is denied or delayed, you will lose the money spent on the flight tickets. Airlines and insurance providers do not consider visa refusal as a valid reason for refund claims. 

Do not purchase your airline tickets until your visa application is approved. If the embassy requires proof of fully-paid tickets, they will explicitly request them. 

How to Get Fight Itinerary for Visa Application?

There are paid and free ways to get a flight itinerary for visa. Some airlines and booking websites offer the option to hold flight reservations for free. However, not all airlines serve every route. You will have to explore different airlines and booking websites to find the option for holding reservations for free. 

Alternatively, you can get a flight reservation for visa by paying a nominal fee. Some airlines and third-party agents offer this service for a fee. 

Here are 10 proven methods (4 free and 6 paid) to obtain a travel itinerary for visa application.

01. Purchase a Fully Refundable Ticket [Paid option]

Purchasing a refundable ticket is the most reliable and foolproof option for your flight itinerary for visa. This type of ticket leaves no room for questioning its authenticity.

Most airlines offer fully refundable flight tickets but at a higher price. Generally, the cost is 5 to 10 times higher compared to non-refundable or regular-priced flight tickets. Most airlines process refunds relatively quickly, typically within a few days to a few weeks.

However, it’s important to note that even with a refundable ticket, certain booking sites and airlines may charge a cancellation fee. For example, Etihad Airways charges $30 and CheapOair charges $150 on cancellations of fully refundable tickets. 

PRO TIP Book fully refundable tickets directly on the airline’s website. Call the airline first to inquire about their cancellation policy on refundable tickets. Ask if they charge an admin fee or tax for cancellations and refunds on fully refundable tickets.

• A refundable ticket is a valid, confirmed and fully-paid ticket. It removes any concerns about the consulate verifying its authenticity. 
• The upfront cost of a refundable ticket is significantly higher, usually 5 to 10 times more than a regular ticket.
• Some airlines and booking websites charge an admin fee to cancel fully refundable tickets
• Refunds can take several days to weeks to process, depending on the airline.
• To receive the refund, you must keep the credit card used for the purchase active.

02. Use a Visa Ticket Booking Website [Paid option]

There are several online travel agents offering flight reservations for a nominal fee. These agents can hold a reservation for up to 3 weeks. They also provide express service if you are in a rush.

Recommended agents:

• Dummy Ticket | Price $19 USD | Booking valid for 2-3 weeks
• Visa Reservation | Price $40 USD | Booking valid for 2 weeks

DummyTicket is one of the oldest agencies in the business of providing flight itineraries for visas. They have a 4.6 rating on Trustpilot. Read my dummyticket.com review for more information.

03. Use a Local Travel Agent to Hold a Flight Reservation [Paid option]

Travel agents have the ability to hold flight reservations. They can hold tickets for up to 7 days without payment.

You can visit any local travel agent in your city and request a flight itinerary for visa. They will typically charge a small fee for this service.

• By paying a nominal fee, you can hold a round-trip flight reservation for a duration of 7 days.
• This option is suitable only if the visa processing timeframe does not exceed 7 days.

04. Use an Onward Ticket Booking Agency [Paid option]

There are onward ticket booking sites that offer flight reservations valid for 48 hours for a nominal fee. These reservations are commonly used as proof of onward travel, but they can also be used for visa purposes.

• Onward Ticket | Price $16 USD | Ticket valid for 48 hours | Instant booking | 5% discount with code VT5
• Best Onward Ticket | Price $12 USD | Ticket valid for 48 hours

OnwardTicket is my go-to option for proof of onward ticket these days. They have a 4.6 rating on Trustpilot. Read my Onward Ticket review for more information.

• These reservations work as proof of onward travel or a return ticket for Visa on Arrival. 
• For a small fee, you will have a legitimate and verifiable round-trip flight reservation for your visa.
• This option is not suitable for visa applications with processing times longer than 48 hours.
• For Visa on Arrival, you must time it correctly so the ticket remains valid while obtaining the visa at the airport. 

05. Use Paid Ticket Hold Option by Airlines [Paid option]

Some airlines provide the option to hold a confirmed flight reservation for a nominal fee for a specific duration. The fee and duration vary among different airlines. Typically, the fee ranges from $10 to $45 to hold the ticket for approximately 3 days. 

Airlines for destinations in Europe

• Aegean Air Hold My Booking | 7-day hold for €6
• TAP Portugal Time to Think | 2-day hold for €8, 5-day hold for €12 and 10-day hold for €15
• British Airways Hold Flight | 3-day hold for $10 
• Iberia Pre-booking | 3-day hold for €10
• Wizz Air Fare Lock | 2-day hold for $15
• Air France Time to Think | 3-day hold for $36 
• KLM Airlines Time to Think | 3-day hold for $36 
• Turkish Airways Hold the Price | 3-day hold for $45 and 7-day hold for $65

Airlines for destinations in North or South America

• United Airlines Farelock | 3-day hold for $5.99, 7-day hold for $8.99 and 14-day hold for $12.99
• Copa Airlines PriceLock | 3-day hold for $8.99 and $7-day hold for $13.99

Airlines for destinations in Asia

• Singapore Airlines Secure My Fare | 3-day hold for $11
• Qatar Airways Hold Flight | 3-day hold for $20
• Emirates Hold My Fare | 3-day hold for $30

Airlines for destinations in Oceania

• Air New Zealand Fare Hold | 3-day hold for $45
• These reservations are verifiable bookings, so they can work as flight itineraries for visa applications.
• For a small fee, you will have a verifiable and confirmed flight reservation for your visa.
• It can be time-consuming to search for airlines that offer ticket hold options for your desired destination.

Note from Thirumal I’m compiling a list of such airlines, I will publish an article with the list soon. Stay tuned!

06. Purchase a Non-refundable Flight Ticket [Paid option]

Only purchase non-refundable flight tickets if you are one hundred percent confident that your visa will be approved. I have personally booked non-refundable flight tickets on multiple occasions, but it was for a visa that I had applied for and received approval for in the past.

You can use any flight search engine to find the best deals on non-refundable flights, but below are my recommended ones.

Recommend flight search engines:

• Skyscanner | Great search engine to find the cheapest flight tickets
• Momondo | Also a great search engine with great discounts
• A non-refundable flight ticket is a confirmed and fully paid airline ticket. There is no need to worry about the consulate verifying its authenticity.
• If you book a non-refundable ticket in advance, you will get it at a much lower price compared to buying it after visa approval.
• In the event of visa refusal, you will lose the money spent on the non-refundable ticket.
• Airlines, embassies and insurance providers do not consider visa refusal as a valid reason for ticket cancellations and refund claims.

07. Use Free 24-Hour Ticket Cancellation by Airlines and Booking Sites [Free option]

Certain US-based airlines and online ticket booking websites provide options for free cancellation within 24 hours of booking. These sites allow you to cancel a flight ticket within 24 hours of booking.

• Expedia | Free cancellation within 24 hours of booking
• Priceline | Free cancellation within 24 hours of booking
• Orbitz | Free cancellation within 24 hours of booking
• Travelocity | Free cancellation within 24 hours of booking
• United Airlines | Free cancellation within 24 hours of booking
• American Airlines | Free cancellation within 24 hours of booking

PRO TIP It’s important to note that tickets from budget airlines, such as AirAsia, cannot be canceled even when booked through online booking websites. To ensure that a ticket can be canceled for free within 24 hours of booking , review the fine print carefully on the checkout page. 

• This option serves as excellent proof of onward travel or a return ticket when obtaining a Visa on Arrival. 

NOTE It’s important to time it properly so that you are still within the 24-hour period when obtaining the Visa on Arrival. After completing your Visa on Arrival process, you can cancel the ticket for a full refund.

• These tickets must be canceled within 24 hours; otherwise, cancellation and refunds are not possible. 
• This option may not be suitable for visa applications with processing times longer than 24 hours.

08. Use Free Ticket Hold Option by Airlines [Free option]

Some airlines provide the option to hold a fare for a certain duration. When booking a ticket, you are given a specific period of time to make the payment. This booking can serve as a printable itinerary for your visa application. Although the booking indicates a specific time frame for payment, it is still acceptable for visa applications.

• Copa Airlines Price Lock | Free hold for 24 hours
• Qatar Airways Hold My Booking | Free hold for 24 hours
• There is no need to keep track of the hold duration. If unpaid within the specified duration, the booking is canceled automatically. 
• This option is not suitable for visa applications that take longer than 2 days for processing.

09. Use Award Miles and Hold Option [Free option]

Certain airlines provide the option to hold a flight reservation for up to 5 days when purchasing an award ticket or using airline miles. The held reservation can be used as a printable itinerary for your visa application. Though the reservation indicates a specific time frame for purchase, it is still acceptable for visa applications.

• American Airlines | Free hold for up to 5 days using AAdvantage miles
• Turkish Airways | Free hold for up to 7 days for Miles&Smiles members
• Singapore Airlines | Free hold for up to 7 days
• Cathay Pacific | Free hold for up to 7 days 
• This option works perfectly fine for visa applications that take less than a week to process.
• This service is offered free of charge to members of airline award programs.
• To utilize this option, you must have a frequent flyer account and a certain amount of miles. 
• Not all airline websites provide the online option to hold award tickets. In such cases, you may need to contact the airline directly and request them to hold your award ticket.
• This option is not useful for visa applications that take longer than 5-7 days for processing. 

10. Print non-Verifiable Itineraries from Airline Websites [Free option]

Some airlines allow you to print or email a flight itinerary from their website. These flight itineraries look similar to a reservation that can be used for visa applications. 

• Print Trip Summary from Qatar Airways website
• Email a Price Quote from British Airways website (* does not work anymore as this feature has been removed from BA website)
• This option is suitable for visa applications that do not require verifiable itineraries such as the UK visa.
• This option is not applicable for visas that require verifiable itineraries such as Schengen visa.

BONUS: Use a Fake Ticket Generator [Risky option]

There are online tools available for generating fake airline tickets. These tools can create a fake flight itinerary that closely resembles a genuine booking. However, it’s important to note that these bookings are fake and cannot be verified.

Using a fake flight itinerary for visa application is an extremely risky option. Such fake itineraries must be used at your own discretion.

Available fake ticket generators:

• FakeFlightTickets | Price $5 USD | Downloadable fake ticket
• KeyFlight | Free service | Downloadable fake ticket

WARNING It is important to understand that submitting a fake flight itinerary for visa application is illegal and against the law. If found, you may face visa refusal or a permanent ban. Please be aware of the potential risks involved when using fake flight itineraries.

• It’s convenient to generate fake flight itineraries whenever needed.
• These tickets are fake, and their usage for visas is illegal.

Embassies and consulates do not recommend purchasing flight tickets before visa approval. Instead, they ask you to submit a flight itinerary for visa application. 

A flight itinerary is essentially a flight booking made in your name. Such a flight reservation must be verifiable online on the airline’s website using a PNR number. 

Though many countries are doing away with flight itineraries for visa applications, it is still a common practice for embassies to ask for them. There are many ways to obtain a confirmed flight itinerary for visa, but not all options are free. Some options require a nominal fee or claiming a refund.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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Important travel updates and what you need to know

Last Updated: June 27, 2023

Attention: Important Travel Updates

To get the most recent update on your flight status, visit the website of the airline you are travelling with. You’ll need your booking reference number (airline confirmation) on your itinerary to access your flight information.

If you’d like to manage or change your existing booking, please log into Avion Rewards Travel . Once you are in the travel portal click the blue “Help” button at the bottom right corner to make changes or cancel your booking.To cancel or change your trip details:

• Go to Avion Rewards Travel
• Select "My Trips" in the top right corner
• Select your upcoming trip and click “Manage booking”
• Choose “Cancel Flight”, “Change Flight”, or “Change Reservation” and follow the instructions
• To book new travel using Avion points

To book a new flight using an airline travel credit

Airline travel credit rules to remember, insurance policies, cwt vacations update, rbc avion visa infinite privilege for private banking cardholders: new travel advisor service details, to book new travel using avion points:.

Book through Avion Rewards Travel or contact the Avion Rewards Travel Call Centre at 1-877-636-2870 (additional service fees apply).

If you have an airline credit due to a flight cancellation that you’d like to use, contact the Avion Rewards Travel Call Centre at 1-877-636-2870.

Be sure to have the following ready when you call:

• Itinerary number of the original booking
• Travel credit amount
• Traveller name(s)
• Details of your new flight options, including flight numbers for your preferred outbound and/or inbound flights
• Each airline sets their own policy for how you can redeem your credit
• If you use an airline travel credit for a ticket to a destination in a different jurisdiction or region than the original booking, you may incur additional taxes and fees. Applying the credit to a new set of taxes and fees vary based on airline policy. Our agents can’t waive them.
• Some airlines may require you to use the entire credit value at once to receive the full value. Please contact Avion Rewards Travel Call Centre at 1-877-636-2870 for more information
• Airline credits (including taxes and fees) can only be used for air travel with the airline you originally booked with. They cannot be used for other services such as checked bags, upgrades, etc.
• Each airline credit is in the original traveller’s name; you can’t combine airline credits or transfer them to another person
• Airline credits have a travel-by date (sometimes called credit validity)
• When planning to travel, please check your airline’s website for possible changes to your flight experience and any new passenger requirements. Many airlines are making temporary changes to prioritize traveller safety

For credit card insurance coverage, refer to your travel insurance policy/certificate for further details. For other travel insurance, please contact your travel provider directly.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance coverage included with your RBC credit card provides coverage for trips that are paid in full with your RBC credit card (and/or Avion points). Trips booked using a travel credit/voucher are not covered, even if originally purchased on your RBC credit card. Please consider your options, such as purchasing travel insurance when using a travel credit/voucher. If you require assistance or have questions about your coverage, please contact Assured Assistance Inc .

Effective July 31, 2022, you are no longer able to redeem your Avion Points at CWT Vacations locations.

Please contact the location where you originally booked your travel unless otherwise advised. Please refer to the travel advisor contact information on the invoice or email provided to you when you made your original reservation.

CWT Harvey’s Travel will service your existing CWT Vacations’ booking. You can contact CWT Harvey’s Travel by calling at the same number (1-866-926-4070).

Your new travel advisor service is provided by Avion Rewards Travel Concierge for Private Banking . To book travel, call 1-888-ROYAL 8-5, choose a language, select Travel (option 2), then select Travel Concierge for Private Banking (option 2).

Making changes to existing bookings with CWT Vacations

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The best credit cards for booking cruises

Editor's note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

There is one common question we get from TPG readers who are cruise enthusiasts: What are the best credit cards for booking cruises?

It might seem logical that the best way to earn rewards on cruise bookings is to get a cruise line cobranded credit card . However, these generally don't offer as solid of a value as the best travel credit cards .

For example, the Royal Caribbean® Visa Signature® Card currently offers a sign-up bonus of 25,000 bonus points (worth $250 in onboard credit) after you spend $1,000 within 90 days of account opening and an ongoing rate of 2 points per dollar on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises purchases. This might seem like a good bonus, but you can actually get a much better value from the welcome bonus on most general travel credit cards.

The information for the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

If you want to get the most value from your vacation purchases, here we explore the best credit cards for booking cruises and why you always want to pay for your vacation at sea with a credit card.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Why use a credit card to book your cruise?

At TPG, we recommend using a credit card whenever and wherever possible so you always earn rewards on your purchases. When it comes to cruises, you'll get some serious benefits by booking with a credit card.

Earn points and miles

A cruise is a significant expense, which means it's an opportunity to earn significant rewards. You can use a cruise booking to help you hit a spending requirement and earn a valuable welcome bonus on a new card or earn rewards to put toward future travel by using a card that earns bonus points on travel purchases .

Protect from billing mistakes

We've all experienced billing mistakes and the headaches that come with them. If you use cash or a debit card for your cruise, a billing mistake can mean money is already gone from your account before you realize there's an issue. By using a credit card, your money is safe while you work to get the issue resolved .

Protect your spending

Many travel rewards cards come with trip delay and cancellation insurance , so you'll be protected if your travel plans go awry. If you plan on doing significant shopping while on your ship, you can use a card with purchase protection to ensure your item arrives safely home.

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise insurance

When deciding which credit card to use for booking cruises, you'll want to consider the rewards a card earns on cruises and benefits like travel and shopping protections. You can also benefit from a card's more specific perks, like statement credits for travel and airport lounge access.

With this in mind, we recommend these credit cards for booking a cruise:

The information for the American Express Green Card and U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

American Express Green Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 in your first six months of card membership, worth $800 according to TPG valuations .

Annual fee: $150

Why it's great for booking cruises: The Amex Green earns 3 points per dollar on travel purchases , including cruises. This means you'll earn bonus points on the cruise booking as well as any airfare or hotel purchases you make to get to and from your cruise. You'll also get trip delay insurance * that covers you up to $300 per trip (maximum of two claims per 12-month period) and purchase protection † for up to 90 days after you make a purchase.

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

†Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

The information for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

For more details, please see our full review of the Amex Green .

Related: Who should (and shouldn't) get the Amex Green?

Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 90 days of account opening, worth $600.

Annual fee: $95

Why it's great for booking cruises: The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card earns 2 points per dollar on all travel purchases, including cruise line purchases as well as hotel and airline purchases. You'll also get travel protections such as trip delay/cancellation/interruption insurance and purchase protection for up to 90 days after your date of purchase.

And if you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you'll earn an additional 25%-75% rewards bonus on every purchase — giving you an even greater return on your cruise spending.

For more details, please see our full review of the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card .

Apply here: Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card

Related: Everything you should know about Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 Capital One miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening, worth $1,388 according to TPG valuations .

Annual fee: $95 (see rates and fees )

Why it's great for booking cruises: The Capital One Venture Rewards earns 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, including cruise bookings. You can redeem the rewards you earn for a statement credit to cover travel expenses, including cruise line purchases. You'll also get travel and emergency assistance services.

For more details, please see our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards .

Apply here: Capital One Venture Rewards

Related: 7 reasons to get the Capital One Venture Rewards card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Annual fee: $395 (see rates and fees )

Why it's great for booking cruises: Like the Venture Rewards, the Venture X earns 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, including cruises, and comes with several travel protections. What makes the Venture X stand out is that it can make your trip run more smoothly with additional perks like complimentary airport lounge access, a statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and a $300 annual credit for travel booked through Capital One Travel.

For more details, please see our full review of the Capital One Venture X .

Apply here: Capital One Venture X

Related: Is the Venture X worth the annual fee?

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, worth $1,230 according to TPG valuations .

Why it's great for booking cruises: The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns a valuable 2 points per dollar on travel purchases , including cruise bookings. What makes this card stand out is its impressive travel protections . When you use it to book travel, you'll get protection against lost or delayed baggage, as well as trip delays, accidents and cancellations.

For more details, please see our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred .

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred

Related: Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred is perfect for the average traveler

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Annual fee: $550

Why it's great for booking cruises: The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3 points per dollar on travel purchases, including cruise bookings. You'll also get a slightly better suite of travel protections than with the Sapphire Preferred, plus airport lounge access and a credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Perhaps the best perk on this card, however, is a $300 annual travel statement credit automatically applied to travel purchases, meaning you can get $300 back on your cruise booking when you use this card to pay.

For more details, please see our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve .

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Sapphire Reserve

The Platinum Card from American Express

Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first six months of card membership, worth $1,600 according to TPG valuations .

Annual fee: $695

Why it's great for booking cruises: You won't earn bonus points on cruise bookings with this card, but you'll get access to the Amex Cruise Privileges Program , where you'll receive onboard credit and an extra onboard amenity for each cruise booking. Plus, the Amex Platinum earns 5 points per dollar on flights (when booking with the airline or through Amex Travel on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year) and comes with comprehensive airport lounge access , so it's also great for booking travel to and from your cruise departure port.

For more details, please see our full review of the Amex Platinum .

Apply here: Amex Platinum

Related: How to maximize benefits with the Amex Platinum

U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,500 in the first 90 days of account opening, worth $750.

Annual fee: $400.

Why it's great for booking cruises: The Altitude Reserve earns 3 points per dollar on travel purchases and comes with up to $325 in annual credits for travel purchases. This means you can get $325 back on your cruise booking when you use this card.

For more details, please see our full review of the Altitude Reserve .

Related: Best credit cards with annual travel statement credits

Bottom line

Using the right credit card to book your cruise allows you to rack up some serious rewards on your booking and protect yourself against a wide range of mishaps. Whether you're focused on hitting a valuable sign-up bonus to help fund your next trip or earning bonus points on your onboard cocktails, you can feel great knowing your card is working hard while you're kicking back at sea.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

For rates and fees of the American Express Green Card please click here .

For rates and fees of the Platinum Card from American Express please click here .

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Update April 12, 2024

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Appointment Date, Time, and Location

How long does it take to get an appointment?

What if I need to change the interview date and time?

Medical Examination

My interview hasn't been scheduled yet, but I want to get started on my medical exam. Where should I go to get an exam?

Who Must Participate in the Interview

Does the petitioner have to be present at the interview?

If a derivative applicant is following to join the principal applicant, do they have to be present at the interview?

What Do I Need to Bring to the Interview

Are there any additional fees to be paid at post?

What must I bring to the interview?

Do I need to bring originals of documents I submitted to the NVC via CEAC with me to the interview?

What happens to the documents submitted to the NVC?

Last Minute Changes

Does every applicant need to fill out a Form DS-260?

My children were going to follow to join me. Can they accompany me instead?

Can I include my children if they were not originally part of the case?

My child will turn 21 years old soon. Will that affect their visa?

The petitioner on my case recently became a U.S. citizen. Can I still apply for an immigrant visa?

When Your Visa Is Issued - What You Should Know

How much time do I have to immigrate after my visa is issued?

Although NVC strives to schedule appointments within three months of NVC’s acceptance of all requested documentation, this timeframe is subject to the operating status and capacity of the consular section.  Currently, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most consular posts are operating at a limited capacity as they work through a backlog of immigrant visa applications and scheduling may take significantly longer.

To determine the proper procedure for rescheduling your interview appointment, please click U.S. Embassy/Consulate General-Specific Interview Guidelines .

You will receive instructions concerning interview preparation in the appointment letter that you will receive from the NVC. You should not have your exam until your interview has been scheduled. For further information about how to arrange for your medical examination click Medical Examination .

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Medical examination results are valid for six months in normal circumstances. But if you have certain medical conditions your examination results could expire in as little as 3 months. In any case you should not have your medical examination until the NVC notifies you of your interview appointment date. You may be denied entry to the United States if your medical examination results expire before your arrival.

No, only applicants must appear to be interviewed.

Only the applicants who plan to immigrate must appear to be interviewed at the scheduled time. Applicants who will follow to join the principal applicant later do not have to attend the interview scheduled by NVC. They will be interviewed separately. You should contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate directly to arrange separate interviews.

The immigrant visa application processing fee for each applicant must be paid before his/her visa interview can take place. Applicants whose fee has not been paid should be prepared to pay the fee on the day of the interview. You should contact the U.S. Embassy/Consulate to understand what payment methods are acceptable.

Please review Interview Preparation – Required Documents for a list of the required documents you will need for your immigrant visa interview.

Yes, you must bring the original civil documents that you scanned and submitted through CEAC. If you do not bring your originals, you will delay the processing of your case.

Please do not submit any original documents to the NVC. Unless specifically directed to do so, please do not mail any documents to NVC, either original or photocopy.

Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application, is required for all Immigrant Visa applicants and Diversity Visa applicants.

Yes, you may change your children's status from follow-to-join to accompanying by directly contacting the U.S. Embassy/Consulate where your interview is scheduled.

If the visa for which you are applying allows derivative children, your unmarried children under the age of 21 may be added as derivative applicants after your interview has been scheduled. You must directly contact the embassy/consulate to request specific instructions. At the interview the added applicant(s) will be required to pay the same fees, and submit the same forms and supporting documents as the original applicant(s).

If you plan to immigrate to the United States with your children, or to have your children join you in the United States later, you must prove that your children are:

• Eligible to be listed under your visa classification, and
• Under the age of 21 at the time they enter the United States

If your child will soon turn 21, your child could become ineligible to immigrate with you. If your child cannot immigrate with you because of their age, then a separate petition must be filed for your child and there may be a significant delay before your child becomes eligible for a visa.

If visas are available in your visa category before your child's birthday, the NVC may be able to expedite your case so that you and your child can immigrate together. Unfortunately, if visas are not available before the child's birthday, the NVC cannot expedite the case.

There is also a law called the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), which applies to a narrow range of cases and may allow the principal applicant's son or daughter to remain eligible under this petition. At the time of the parent's visa interview, the consular officer will determine whether or not CSPA is applicable in your particular situation.

Yes, although the type of immigrant visa that you can receive will change. If the family member in the United States who petitioned for you has become a U.S. citizen, you should immediately contact the U.S. Embassy where your interview is scheduled. They will need proof of your petitioner’s naturalization, so please obtain one of the following documents:

• A copy of the biodata page of your petitioner’s U.S. passport; or
• A copy of your petitioner’s certificate of naturalization.

Effect on spouses and minor children: If you filed a petition for your spouse or minor children (under age 21 and unmarried) while you were an LPR, the visa category was  family second preference (F2A) . When you become a U.S. citizen, NVC will  upgrade the petition  to an  immediate relative (IR)  visa category. This benefits your immigrating family member(s) because there are no limits on the number of visas that can be issued each year in the IR categories.

• Important: If the  family second preference (F2A)  petition that you filed for your spouse included your minor children, now that you are a U.S. citizen you must file new and separate petitions for each child. This is because children cannot be included as “derivative applicants” on a parent’s  immediate relative (IR)  visa or petition. (This is different from the family second preference petition, which allows minor children to be included in their parent's petition.)
• Children born abroad after you became a U.S. citizen may qualify for U.S. citizenship. They should apply for U.S. passports at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. The consular officer will determine whether your child is a U.S. citizen and can have a passport. If the consular officer determines your child is not a U.S. citizen, the child must apply for an immigrant visa if he/she wants to live in the United States.

Effect on adult children: If you filed a petition for your unmarried adult children (age 21 or older) when you were an LPR, NVC will change the visa category from  family second preference (F2B)  to  family first preference (F1) . However, under a federal law called the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), visa applicants can “opt out” of conversion to the F1 visa category and remain an F2B visa applicant. This may be beneficial because sometimes the wait time for an F2B visa is shorter than the wait time for an F1 visa. When you naturalize and become a U.S. citizen, you should check the  Visa Bulletin  to see if it would be helpful for your adult unmarried child to remain in the F2B category. (Applicants keep the priority date of their F2B petition when it converts to the F1 visa category.) Applicants who want to opt-out of conversion to the F1 category must submit a request using these guidelines:

• Applicants whose case is at NVC should submit requests using  NVC’s online inquiry form . NVC will forward the request to USCIS and change the visa category back to F2B upon receipt of USCIS’s approval.
• Applicants whose case is at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas should ask the embassy to submit a request on their behalf. The consular officer will forward the request and adjudicate the visa application in the F2B category only upon receipt of USCIS’s approval.

Review your visa when you receive it and also carefully note its expiration date. You must enter the United States before your visa expires, and before your medical examination results expire.

More Information

A-Z Index Latest News What is a U.S. Visa? Diversity Visa Program Visa Waiver Program Fraud Warning Find a U.S. Embassy or Consulate Straight Facts on U.S. Visas

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Venue & Travel

The 2024 informs annual meeting will take place at the seattle convention center., summit, 900 pine street seattle, washington, 98101, united states.

Hotel rooms within the INFORMS room block are for INFORMS Annual Meeting registrants only. INFORMS will regularly review the hotel reservations list and notify people found holding duplicate reservations or reservations without a corresponding Annual Meeting registration. Any guests who are not registered for the Annual Meeting and book a room within the block will have their reservation cancelled without further notice.

For assistance, kindly contact us by calling: 1-443-453-0168 (International) or 1-855-849-8684 (North America) or emailing [email protected] .

Why Should Attendees Book with the Room Block for the INFORMS Annual Meeting?

Booking a room at one of our host hotels not only benefits you, the attendee; it also supports INFORMS. When you “book within the block,” you help INFORMS to keep meeting costs as low as possible and enables us to provide some of the important features meeting attendees have come to enjoy, such as the General Reception, the Exhibit Area coffee hours, etc.

Outside Travel Vendors

Please note, we do not work with outside travel vendors and if you are contacted separately by a company stating they are the official travel vendor for INFORMS or the INFORMS Annual Meeting, this is a scam. These groups are NOT affiliated with INFORMS in any capacity. For your own protection, we ask that you exercise caution when making your hotel and travel arrangements. Unofficial vendors cannot provide the same benefits and protection that booking through our housing portal does. INFORMS only guarantees sleeping room rates or availability during the event dates for reservations made directly through our INFORMS hotel portal.

Need a Visa letter?

Submit your request to [email protected] . 

The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences

phone 1 443-757-3500

phone 2 800-4INFORMS (800-446-3676)

fax 443-757-3515

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