US visa wait times in India stretch to 12 months for visitor appointments

Indian citizens planning visits to the United States for business or tourism are facing wait times of up to 12 months for interview appointments, according to updated data from the US Department of State.

The delays reflect the expanding economic ties, educational links, and travel volume between India and the United States, as robust growth at home continues to power outbound international mobility. Mumbai currently records the longest wait for B1 and B2 visitor visa slots at 12 months, with an average waiting period of 12.5 months measured from fee payment to the interview. New Delhi follows with an estimated 11-month wait for the next available slot, while Hyderabad stands at 10.5 months.

How wait times compare across Indian cities

Faster processing for students and skilled workers

While visitor visa slots remain tight due to unprecedented demand, appointment processing for academic and professional visas moves at a significantly faster pace across all diplomatic posts.

Applicants seeking student and exchange visitor visas under the F, M, and J categories face far shorter queues. Hyderabad offers the fastest access for student applicants with a one-month wait time, followed by Kolkata at 2.5 months and New Delhi at three months. Chennai and Mumbai record waits of 3.5 months and four months respectively.

Skilled professionals applying for petition-based work visas in the H, L, O, P, and Q categories also benefit from streamlined scheduling. Kolkata leads with a wait time of just one month for work visa interviews, while Mumbai provides slots within two months.

The US Department of State noted that consular posts regularly release additional appointment slots and advised applicants to monitor official appointment portals for earlier dates.