Indian applicants seeking a US visa are expected to get interview appointments faster in some cities, according to the latest global visa wait time data
from the US Department of State, a media report analyses. As per the figures updated on 14 January 2026, waiting times across Indian consulates and visa types vary widely. Visitor Visa Waiting Period Hyderabad and Kolkata have an average wait of about two and a half months for visitor visas (B1/B2). In these cities, candidates can expect their next appointment in roughly four months. The same process is much faster in Chennai, where the average wait is around one and a half months, reported The Times of India. Also Read: 'Sat by Corpse, Shunned by Relatives': 10-Year-Old Struggles to Cremate Mother Who Died of HIV in UP While these three cities reflect a relatively faster process, Mumbai continues to lag behind. The average wait there is about two and a half months, but the next available appointment is nearly seven months away. In New Delhi, the average wait is around two months, yet applicants may have to wait up to eight months for the next interview. Student Visa Waiting Period In comparison to visitor's visa, student visas (F, M, and J categories) have lesser waiting period in most cities. Hyderabad and Kolkata process student visas quickly, with the next appointments in about two months. Applicants for the same visa in Mumbai may have to wait around three months, while New Delhi offers the quickest access, with interviews available in about one month. Employment-Based Visa Waiting Period Employment-based visas, which include H, L, O, P, and Q categories, also have different waiting times depending on the city. In Hyderabad, applicants must wait for at least two and a half months for their next appointment. The wait for this visa is much lesser in Mumbai, where the candidates have to wait around one month only. New Delhi, on the other hand, has not provided any information on appointment availability for these visas, which suggests that scheduling may be limited or irregular.
