US Visa Wait Times For Indians Stretch To 12 Months; Which Categories Are Available Sooner? City-Wise Details

US Visa Update: Indian applicants seeking US visas continue to face long waits for interview appointments as the latest US Department of State data shows major differences across consulates and visa categories. While B1/B2 visitor visa applicants are facing some of the longest delays, student and exchange visa appointments are available much sooner at several posts.

Visa Wait Times Extend

The US State Department’s Global Visa Wait Times page, updated on September 17, lists visa appointment availability at five US posts in India, including Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi. The data includes B1/B2 visitor visas, F/M/J student and exchange visas, petition-based H/L/O/P/Q visas, and crew and transit visas.

B1/B2 Visa Wait Times

For B1/B2 visitor visas, Hyderabad has the longest next-available appointment among the five Indian posts, at 12 months. Mumbai follows at 11.5 months, while New Delhi has a wait of 10 months. Chennai stands at 7.5 months, followed by Kolkata at 6.5 months.

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The State Department also provides an average wait figure for B1/B2 applicants when the next available appointment is more than three months away. Hyderabad has an average wait of 11.5 months, followed by Mumbai at 11 months, New Delhi at 7.5 months, Chennai at 7 months and Kolkata at 6 months.

Student Visa Appointments Available Sooner

However, applicants seeking F, M or J visas face considerably shorter waits at these posts. Chennai has the earliest listed appointment at less than half a month. Hyderabad has a wait of 1.5 months, while Kolkata and New Delhi each show 2 months. Mumbai has a next available appointment in 2.5 months.

Wait Times For H, L, O, P And Q Visas

For petition-based visas covering H, L, O, P and Q categories, Hyderabad has the longest next-available appointment at 5.5 months. New Delhi follows with 3 months, while Chennai and Mumbai each show 1.5 months. Kolkata has the shortest wait in this category at 1 month. As the State Department combines these visa categories in one group, it does not provide separate appointment wait times for individual categories such as H-1B, L-1 or O-1 visas.

Wait Times Can Change

The State Department notes that the published wait times are estimates and do not guarantee that an applicant will receive an appointment within the stated period. US consulates regularly add new appointment slot and update the wait-time information monthly.

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