14-month wait for US visa? Your visa interview might be in 2026, but here's how you can beat the queue

Planning to visit the United States? Be prepared for a long wait for an interview appointment for B1/B2 visas, as the waiting period at some US consulates in India is over a year. However, if you are in a hurry, choosing the right city becomes crucial as some have much shorter wait times.

The US Department of State on May 25, 2025, updated its global visa appointment wait time estimates and it shows both the average wait time in each consulate and estimated time until the next available appointment.

Most B-1 (business), B-2 (tourism), or B-1/B-2 (combined) visa applicants must attend an in-person interview unless eligible for a waiver. Wait times vary by city, staffing, and demand.

Average interview wait times for US non-immigrant visas:

Chennai: 14 months

Hyderabad: 7 months

Kolkata: 6 months

Mumbai: 9.5 months

New Delhi: 8 months

Next available interview appointment:

Chennai: 14 months

Hyderabad: 7 months

Kolkata: 6 months

Mumbai: 9.5 months

New Delhi: 8 months

The wait time is calculated in months in 30-day increments and half months in 15-day increments. This includes weekends and holidays when embassies close, as per the US Department of State. However, the average wait time does not guarantee a visa applicant will get an appointment within a specific time.

Also, embassies and consulates release additional appointment slots regularly. Applicants who want an earlier appointment slot after initially scheduling their interview should check back regularly and move their appointment to another available slot.

The US Department of State's website mentioned, “We now provide additional information on the average time non-immigrant visa applicants waited for an interview in the previous month. We also continue to provide the estimated wait time until the next available interview appointment for visitor visas.”

What are B1 and B2 visas?

The B1 visa is meant for business trips like meetings, conferences, or contract talks. The B2 visa is for tourism, visiting family, medical care, or social events—without paid work. Most people receive a combined B1/B2 visa, allowing both business and leisure during their stay.