US Visa Wait Times Remain A Concern For Indians

Indian travellers seeking US visitor visas continue to face long waits for interview appointments, with the latest US State Department data showing significant delays at several major US consular posts.

According to the State Department’s visa wait-time data updated on September 17, 2026, applicants for B-1/B-2 visitor visas in India may have to wait several months for the next available interview appointment. The figures vary considerably by city.

Hyderabad, Mumbai Among Posts With Long Waits

The State Department data shows the next available B-1/B-2 interview appointment at Hyderabad at around 12 months, while Mumbai has a wait of about 11.5 months. At New Delhi, the wait is around 10 months.

The situation means travellers planning holidays, family visits or business trips to the US may need to plan their applications well in advance.

Average Wait Times Also Remain High

Separate reporting based on US government data said Indian applicants faced an average wait of 346 days for a US visitor-visa interview during FY2025. Current appointment availability, however, varies by consular post and can change as new slots are released.

The State Department also cautions that its published wait times are estimates and do not guarantee that an applicant will receive an appointment within the stated period.

Applicants Can Check For Earlier Slots

The US State Department says embassies and consulates regularly release additional appointment slots. Applicants who have already scheduled an interview can continue checking the appointment system and move their appointment to an earlier available date if a slot opens.

This makes regular monitoring important for travellers with fixed travel plans.

$750 Option For Faster Interviews

The US State Department introduced a pilot programme under which certain consular posts may offer eligible B-1/B-2 applicants an expedited interview appointment within 10 business days for an additional $750 fee. The programme runs from July 1 through December 31, 2026, at participating locations.

The additional fee is for faster appointment scheduling and does not guarantee visa approval or speed up the actual adjudication of the visa application.

US Advises Applicants To Apply In Their Country Of Residence

Since July 2026, the US State Department has instructed nonimmigrant visa applicants to generally schedule interviews at the US embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence. Applicants applying elsewhere may face additional difficulties in qualifying for a visa.

For Indian travellers, the prolonged appointment waits mean that anyone planning a US trip should factor visa processing and interview availability into their travel schedule and check the latest official appointment information before making firm plans.