US visa wait: Visitor slots take 12 months

Indian applicants for US visitor visas may have to wait up to 12 months for an interview appointment, with Hyderabad recording the longest wait among the five US consular posts in India, according to the latest US Department of State data.The next available appointment for a B1/B2 visitor visa is estimated at 12 months in Hyderabad, 11.5 months in Mumbai and 10 months in New Delhi. The wait is shorter in Chennai at 7.5 months and Kolkata at 6.5 months.Also Read: Gulf hotel expansion hits a pause, but investors stay interestedThe US Department of State’s Global Visa Wait Times page was last updated on September 17. It provides estimates for interview appointments across different non-immigrant visa categories.US visa wait times in IndiaFor student and exchange visitor visas covering F, M and J categories, the wait is significantly shorter. Chennai has the next available appointment in less than half a month, followed by Hyderabad at 1.5 months.Applicants in New Delhi and Kolkata face a wait of two months, while Mumbai has a 2.5-month wait for the next available F, M or J visa appointment.Also Read: Got an F1 ticket? Azerbaijan may give you a visa at the airportFor petition-based H, L, O, P and Q visas, Hyderabad has the longest wait among the five Indian posts at 5.5 months. New Delhi has a three-month wait, while Chennai and Mumbai have 1.5 months each. Kolkata has the shortest wait in this category at one month.US consular postB1/B2 average waitB1/B2 next availableF, M, JH, L, O, P, QCrew & TransitChennai7 months7.5 months<0.5 month1.5 monthsNAHyderabad11.5 months12 months1.5 months5.5 months<0.5 monthKolkata6 months6.5 months2 months1 monthNAMumbai11 months11.5 months2.5 months1.5 months1 monthNew Delhi7.5 months10 months2 months3 months2 monthsThe State Department said the next-available appointment figures are estimates because US embassies and consulates regularly release additional appointment slots. Applicants who have already scheduled an interview can check the appointment system and move to an earlier date if a slot becomes available.The State Department has also introduced average wait-time data for B1/B2 visas. This figure reflects how long applicants typically waited from fee payment to their visa interview during the previous month.The next-available appointment figure, in contrast, estimates how long a new applicant may have to wait for an appointment at that location.As a result, the two figures can differ. The department said new appointments are added regularly, allowing applicants to potentially move their scheduled interview to an earlier date.The published wait times do not include appointments for applicants who qualify for an interview waiver. The State Department figures are updated monthly.