How long does it take to apply for a U.S. tourist visa?

If you want to apply for a U.S. tourist visa on the same day, you can make an appointment now until late October. You will know on the spot whether the application has been approved or not. If successful, the embassy will return the passport within 3-5 working days. Then it’s mailing.

The fastest can be 12-15 days. This is the case where everything goes as per ideal.