New Delhi: Indian travellers planning a trip to the United States may have to prepare for lengthy waits for visitor visa interviews, with appointment delays extending close to a year at several major US consular posts.
The latest US State Department visa appointment data, updated on September 17, shows significant differences in waiting periods for B-1/B-2 visitor visas across India.
Hyderabad recorded the longest wait, with the next available B-1/B-2 interview appointment listed at 12 months. The average waiting period was 11.5 months.
Mumbai followed with an average wait of 11 months, while the next available appointment was listed at 11.5 months. In New Delhi, the average wait was 7.5 months, although the next available appointment was shown at 10 months.
Chennai had the shortest visitor visa waiting period among the four major Indian posts. The average wait was seven months, with the next available appointment listed at 7.5 months.
The situation is considerably different for F, M and J visa applicants, covering students and exchange visitors. The next available appointment was listed at less than half a month in Chennai, two months in New Delhi, 1.5 months in Hyderabad and 2.5 months in Mumbai.
Employment based H, L, O, P and Q visa applicants also faced varying waits. The next available appointments were listed at 1.5 months in Chennai and Mumbai, three months in New Delhi and 5.5 months in Hyderabad.
The figures have also changed from August. Mumbai’s average B-1/B-2 wait fell from 14 months to 11 months, while Hyderabad’s increased from 9.5 months to 11.5 months.
However, the published figures are estimates and do not guarantee an applicant will wait that long. Additional appointment slots are released periodically, and applicants can check for earlier openings after securing an appointment.
Eligible applicants may also qualify for interview waivers, which are not reflected in the published waiting times.
