US Visa Appointment Wait Times in India Drop Sharply

Even as the ongoing visa policy debate continues to dominate headlines, there is finally a wave of good news for Indian applicants: US visa appointment wait times in India have improved sharply across several major categories and consular posts. Cities such as New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad have all registered noticeable reductions, offering much-needed breathing space to students, business travellers, and families waiting for long-delayed appointments.

The latest update from the US State Department reveals that a handful of visa categories—particularly F, M, and J—have seen some of the steepest declines in wait times, bringing relief to tens of thousands planning their travel or academic schedules.

US Visa Appointment: New Delhi – Sharpest Decline in Student Visa Wait Times

New Delhi has emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the recent reshuffle.
The next available appointment for F, M, and J visas has plummeted from two months to just half a month, marking one of the best turnarounds in recent months.

Business and tourist applicants have reason to feel optimistic too.
B-1/B-2 interview wait times have dropped from 6.5 months to 3.5 months, cutting the wait nearly in half.

Current New Delhi status:

• F, M, J next available appointment: 0.5 months

• B-1/B-2 next available appointment: 10 months

Chennai: Mixed Signals but Faster Movement in Interview-Required Visas

Chennai has recorded a unique shift.
The average wait time for B-1/B-2 visas, previously five months, now appears as “N/A”, indicating that appointment flows are being recalibrated.

At the same time, interviews for visa-required categories have improved:
The wait has dropped from five months to three months, a significant improvement for travellers planning time-sensitive trips.

US Visa Appointment: Mumbai – Slow Yet Steady Progress

Mumbai continues to experience longer delays compared to the national trend, particularly for B-1/B-2 visas.
However, student and work-related categories are moving faster than before.

Current Mumbai status:

• B-1/B-2 average wait time: 9.5 months

• F, M, J next available appointment: 3 months

• H, L, O, P, Q next available appointment: 1 month

Kolkata: Stable but Still Lagging in Some Categories

Kolkata has shown progress, especially for student visas, but business and tourist visa applicants continue to face delays.

Current Kolkata status:

• B-1/B-2 average wait time: 4.5 months

• B-1/B-2 next available appointment: 5 months

• F, M, J next available appointment: 2.5 months

• H, L, O, P, Q next available appointment: N/A

Hyderabad: Noticeable Improvements Across Categories

Hyderabad’s data reflects smoother processing, especially for student and work-related visas.

Current Hyderabad status:

• B-1/B-2 average wait time: 4 months

• F, M, J next available appointment: 2.5 months

• H, L, O, P, Q next available appointment: 2 months

Global Perspective: Some Cities Continue to Struggle

While India is witnessing improvement, several global consulates still report long delays, especially for B-1/B-2 interview-required visas. Among them:

• Toronto: 16.5 months

• San Jose: 13 months

• Lagos: 12.5 months

• Merida: 11.5 months

• Ottawa: 11 months

These extended wait periods underline the uneven global distribution of visa demand, with certain regions experiencing much heavier backlogs.

Shanghai: A Surprising Spike in Wait Times

In contrast to India’s improving scenario, Shanghai has recorded a sharp jump in appointment delays.
For H, L, O, P, and Q visa categories, the wait times have tripled, rising from under half a month to nearly three months—a notable shift compared to the October report.

US Visa Appointment: Why Wait Times Change – Understanding the System

The US State Department calculates visa wait times using a straightforward method:

• One month = 30 days

• Half month = 15 days

• Weekends and holidays are excluded

• New appointment slots are regularly added

This means applicants may secure earlier appointments simply by checking for rescheduled or newly released slots. Many travellers successfully shorten their wait by monitoring the portal after they initially schedule their appointment.

The “Average wait time” posted on the State Department website reflects the time applicants waited in the previous month—from fee payment to the interview date.
This number may not always match the next available appointment since new slots can dramatically alter booking patterns.