The Great Visa Bottleneck
For anyone trying to book a US visa interview, especially for the popular B1/B2 tourist and business category, the wait times can be daunting. In major hubs like Mumbai and New Delhi, it's not uncommon for applicants to face delays stretching several
months. According to data from early July 2026, wait times for a first-time B1/B2 interview in Hyderabad and Mumbai were as high as 9.5 months. New Delhi was not far behind at around 7.5 months. These long queues are the result of immense demand, staffing levels at consular posts, and lingering backlogs from previous years. While the situation has improved from the peak delays seen in 2022-2023, which sometimes exceeded 800 days, securing a timely slot remains a significant challenge for countless applicants.
Location Flexibility: Is It Allowed?
The good news for applicants is that you are generally permitted to schedule your visa appointment at any US consulate or embassy in India, regardless of where you live. The online scheduling system allows you to view appointment availability across all five posts: Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and New Delhi. This flexibility is a key strategic advantage. If your home consulate has a nine-month wait, but another city has slots in four or five months, you have the option to book there. This isn't a secret loophole; it's a feature of the system designed to help manage applicant load across the country. However, it's important to note that while this is true for most nonimmigrant visas, some specific categories, like first-time H & L work visas, have been centralized in certain locations like Chennai and Hyderabad.
Comparing the Consulates
Wait times are not uniform across India and can change weekly. As of early July 2026, Kolkata consistently showed the shortest wait times for B1/B2 visitor visas, at around four months. Chennai was next, with an approximate wait of 5.5 months. In contrast, Hyderabad and Mumbai were the longest at about 9.5 months, with New Delhi at 7.5 months. This disparity creates a clear opportunity. An applicant from Mumbai facing a nearly 10-month delay could potentially cut that time in half by opting to travel to Kolkata for their interview. Student visa (F, M, J) wait times are generally much shorter across all locations, often around 30 to 60 days, as they are prioritized.
How to Look for Other Slots
The process of checking and selecting a different location is managed through the official US visa scheduling portal. After paying the MRV (visa application) fee, you gain access to the appointment calendar. You can then view the availability at all five consulates. The key is persistence. New appointment slots are released regularly as a result of cancellations or the addition of new capacity. Applicants who already have a far-off appointment booked should frequently check the portal. An earlier slot may open up in your home city or, more likely, in a city with lower demand. If you find a better date in a different city, you can reschedule your appointment.
Things to Consider Before You Book
While changing your interview city can be a great strategy, there are practical considerations. First, you must factor in the cost and time of travel and accommodation in another city. Second, rescheduling has limits. Generally, you are permitted one free reschedule after your initial booking. If you miss the rescheduled appointment, you may need to pay the visa fee again. Finally, while you can apply anywhere in India, the U.S. State Department does note that applying outside your country of residence can sometimes make it more difficult to qualify, though this is less of a concern when applying within the same country. Always ensure your documentation is flawless, regardless of where you attend your interview.
