Indian nationals planning a trip to the United States continue to face varying visa interview wait times depending on where they apply. According to the latest data by the US Department of State, there is a gap of up to six months between the shortest and longest queues for B1/B2 visitor visa appointments across India's five US consulates. While Kolkata currently has the shortest wait, applicants in Mumbai and Hyderabad face the longest delays.
Which Indian city has the shortest US visa queue?
Among the five cities, Kolkata offers the quickest route for visitor visa applicants. The consulate reports an average wait of four months, with the next available appointment also estimated at four months.
Chennai follows with an average wait of 5.5 months. However, the State Department has not published the next available appointment for visitor visas at the consulate.
Applicants in New Delhi currently face an average wait of 7.5 months, while the next available appointment is estimated at 8.5 months.
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Hyderabad reports an average wait of 9.5 months, matching its estimated next available appointment.
Mumbai has the longest queue among Indian cities. The average wait stands at 9.5 months, while new applicants may have to wait about 10 months for the next available interview slot.
| Indian city | B1/B2 (Visitor) – Average wait | B1/B2 (Visitor) – Next available appointment | F, M, J (Student/Exchange) | H, L, O, P, Q (Work/Petition-based) | C, D, C1/D (Crew & Transit) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Delhi | 7.5 months | 8.5 months | 2 months | 2 months | 1.5 months |
| Mumbai | 9.5 months | 10 months | 1.5 months | 1.5 months | 1 month |
| Hyderabad | 9.5 months | 9.5 months | 1.5 months | 3.5 months | Less than 0.5 month |
| Chennai | 5.5 months | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
| Kolkata | 4 months | 4 months | 1.5 months | 1.5 months | Not Available |
Student and work visas see shorter waits
The latest figures indicate that applicants for student visas continue to face much shorter waiting periods than visitor visa applicants.
Appointments for F, M and J visas are available in about 1.5 months in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata, while New Delhi reports a two-month wait.
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For employment-based H, L, O, P and Q visas, appointment availability ranges from 1.5 months in Mumbai and Kolkata to two months in New Delhi and 3.5 months in Hyderabad. Chennai has not published appointment data for this visa category.
What applicants should know
The US Department of State says the "average wait time" reflects how long applicants waited between paying the visa fee and attending their interview during the previous month. The "next available appointment" estimates when a newly scheduled applicant can expect an interview.
The department also states that embassies and consulates regularly release additional appointment slots. Applicants who have already booked an interview can check the scheduling system for earlier dates if new slots become available. Eligible applicants may also qualify for interview waivers, which are not reflected in the published wait-time data.
