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Booking a U.S. Visa Appointment in Indonesia
Applicants in Indonesia book through USTravelDocs, not AIS, and interview at one of two posts — the Embassy in Jakarta or the Consulate General in Surabaya.
Nothing can be booked until the DS-160 is submitted and the visa fee has activated. The general sequence is on how to book a U.S. visa appointment; this page covers what Indonesia publishes.
We read the Indonesia USTravelDocs pages on 18 September 2026.
Two posts
| Post | City |
|---|---|
| U.S. Embassy | Jakarta |
| U.S. Consulate General | Surabaya |
Six conditions under which someone may come with you
Most posts say only applicants are admitted, and a few carve out a narrow exception. Indonesia publishes the widest list we have found:
Visa applicants may be accompanied by one additional person to their visa interview if they meet any of the following conditions:
- With disabilities
- Over 79 years old
- Under 18 years old
- Need a translator
- Need a sign language interpreter
- Need a petitioner for IV applicants
Two conditions attach to that, and both matter:
- For nonimmigrant visa applicants, a translator may only accompany you if a consular officer asked for one in advance. You cannot decide on the day that you would like an interpreter and bring one.
- For immigrant visa applicants, the accompanying person must be cleared by email in advance — a request to
JakIV@state.govat least one week before the interview date.
That one-week deadline is the part to act on early. If you are an IV applicant who needs someone with you, the email goes out a week ahead, not the night before.
Compare this with Hong Kong, which allows a companion only where the applicant is over 80, a minor, or disabled — and with Saudi Arabia, whose wording on escorts is ambiguous. Do not assume one country's companion rule applies at another.
A small purse and a plastic folder
Entry to all U.S. government facilities is strictly controlled, similar to that encountered in international air travel.
Not admitted: all large and bulky bags — travel bags, over-the-shoulder purses, backpacks and suitcases. "Please limit your hand-carry items to a small purse and plastic folder containing your application documents." Battery-operated and electronic devices such as laptops are likewise refused.
Why no slots appear
- The fee has not activated. Check the method you used on the Indonesia fee guide.
- That post has no availability. Indonesia has two — check Surabaya as well as Jakarta.
- You created a profile on AIS instead of USTravelDocs. It will never show Indonesian appointments — see which appointment site is yours.
- The DS-160 was saved but never submitted, so no confirmation number exists.
Frequently asked questions
Can my spouse or parent come in with me?
Only if you meet one of the six published conditions — disability, over 79, under 18, needing a translator, needing a sign language interpreter, or needing a petitioner as an IV applicant.
I want an interpreter. Can I just bring one?
For nonimmigrant visa applicants, no. A translator may accompany you only if a consular officer requested it in advance.
How do I arrange a companion for an immigrant visa interview?
Email JakIV@state.gov at least one week before your interview date.
Can I interview in Surabaya instead of Jakarta?
Yes. Both are listed posts with their own calendars.
What can I carry in?
A small purse and a plastic folder holding your application documents. Large or bulky bags and electronics such as laptops are refused.
Official sources
- USTravelDocs Indonesia — appointment and security pages, read 18 September 2026
- U.S. Mission to Indonesia