US visa wait times in India have reached 12 months for visitor visa appointments in Mumbai, according to October 21, 2026 State Department data. New Delhi and Hyderabad also face lengthy B1/B2 delays, while student and employment visa appointment waits vary across five cities.
US visa wait times in India have reached 12 months for the next available visitor visa interview in Mumbai, according to US Department of State data updated Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
New Delhi and Hyderabad also face substantial appointment delays, while applicants for student and employment-related visas generally have shorter waits. The figures cover five US diplomatic locations in India.
US visitor visa wait times across five Indian cities
Applicants seeking B-1/B-2 visas for temporary business visits or tourism face the longest estimated wait in Mumbai, where the next available interview is approximately 12 months away.
The State Department reports the following appointment estimates:
| US visa location | B1/B2 wait time |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | 12 months |
| New Delhi | 11 months |
| Hyderabad | 10.5 months |
| Kolkata | 8.5 months |
| Chennai | 7.5 months |
These figures indicate when the next appointment may become available, not how long every applicant will ultimately wait.
US student visa wait times remain shorter
Applicants seeking F, M and J visas for academic studies, vocational training and exchange programs face shorter estimated appointment delays.
Hyderabad reports the shortest wait at one month, followed by Kolkata at 2.5 months and New Delhi at three months. Chennai reports 3.5 months, while Mumbai has the longest student and exchange visitor appointment wait at four months.
H1B and other US employment visa appointment delays
Employment-related visa categories, including H, L, O, P and Q, show considerable variation across India.
Hyderabad reports the longest estimated wait at 6.5 months, followed by New Delhi at 3.5 months, Chennai at 2.5 months and Mumbai at two months.
Kolkata has the shortest employment-related appointment wait at one month.
The figures represent grouped visa classifications and should not be interpreted as individual H-1B processing times.
What applicants should know about US visa appointments
The State Department updates its global visa wait-time information monthly. Published estimates are not guaranteed appointment dates.
US diplomatic missions regularly release additional interview slots. Applicants with confirmed appointments may be able to reschedule for an earlier date through the official scheduling system.
The figures exclude interview-waiver appointments and do not account for additional administrative processing or passport return times.
Applicants planning travel to the United States should check the latest appointment information before finalizing their plans, particularly when booking flights or making commitments that depend on visa issuance.
