US Visa Wait Times in India
All five US consulates in India, from U.S. State Department data. Scheduled twice-weekly checks; last verified October 1, 2026.
US visa interview wait estimates in India differ by category and consulate. Visitor visas (B1/B2) run from 6 months in Kolkata to 11.5 months in Hyderabad. Student visas (F-1) run from 1.5 months in Hyderabad to 2.5 months in Mumbai. Figures are U.S. State Department estimates, last read on October 1, 2026. Petition-based categories, including H-1B and L-1, are withheld while WaitDelta verifies its source mapping.
WaitDelta’s scheduled check is overdue. The last completed check was on October 1, 2026 (11 days ago), and the figures on this page were read then. The State Department updates its table monthly, so they may still match its latest publication. Confirm current wait times on travel.state.gov before making booking decisions.
US Visa Wait Times at All Indian Consulates — October 2026
Last verified October 1, 2026 · Source: U.S. Department of State
October 9, 2026: The announced PERM restrictions concern specified employers’ permanent labor-certification cases. They are not an announcement of a blanket H-1B visa suspension. Read the announcement explainer, and check any notice about your own case or appointment. For booked interviews, see whether the PERM action affects H-1B interviews in India.
| Consulate | B1/B2 | F-1 | H-1B | L-1 | B1 | B2 | F2 | H4 | J1 | J2 | L2 | O1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai | 7 months (~210 days) | Not currently publishedLast published 1 month on May 10, 2026 | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. | 7 months (~210 days) | 7 months (~210 days) | Not currently publishedLast published 1 month on May 10, 2026 | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. | Not currently publishedLast published 1 month on May 10, 2026 | Not currently publishedLast published 1 month on May 10, 2026 | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. |
| Delhi | 7.5 months (~225 days) | 2 months (~60 days)↓ 15d vs last month | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. | 7.5 months (~225 days) | 7.5 months (~225 days) | 2 months (~60 days)↓ 15d vs last month | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. | 2 months (~60 days)↓ 15d vs last month | 2 months (~60 days)↓ 15d vs last month | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. |
| Hyderabad | 11.5 months (~345 days)↑ 60d vs last month | 1.5 months (~45 days) | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. | 11.5 months (~345 days)↑ 60d vs last month | 11.5 months (~345 days)↑ 60d vs last month | 1.5 months (~45 days) | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. | 1.5 months (~45 days) | 1.5 months (~45 days) | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. |
| Kolkata | 6 months (~180 days)↑ 60d vs last month | 2 months (~60 days) | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. | 6 months (~180 days)↑ 60d vs last month | 6 months (~180 days)↑ 60d vs last month | 2 months (~60 days) | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. | 2 months (~60 days) | 2 months (~60 days) | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. |
| Mumbai | 11 months (~330 days)↓ 90d vs last month | 2.5 months (~75 days)↑ 15d vs last month | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. | 11 months (~330 days)↓ 90d vs last month | 11 months (~330 days)↓ 90d vs last month | 2.5 months (~75 days)↑ 15d vs last month | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. | 2.5 months (~75 days)↑ 15d vs last month | 2.5 months (~75 days)↑ 15d vs last month | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. | Withheld while we verify — WaitDelta is verifying how this category maps to the State Department table. This does not mean the State Department stopped publishing. |
Not published means the U.S. State Department does not currently issue an estimate for that category at that consulate. It does not mean no appointments exist. Withheld is different: it is a WaitDelta verification status, not a statement about the State Department. Check the official table and your consulate's booking portal.
Fastest right now: Hyderabad at 1.5 months (~45 days) for F-1.
Average Wait vs Next Available Appointment: What These Numbers Mean
| Measurement | What it means | Source | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historical average wait | The State Department’s estimate of how long interview appointments took to obtain over a recent period | State Dept Global Visa Wait Times table | Published monthly |
| Next-appointment estimate | The State Department’s separate estimate of the next available interview appointment | State Dept Global Visa Wait Times table | Published monthly |
| Availability in your booking account | The dates actually offered to you when you book | Your booking account | Changes continuously |
| Time after the interview | Administrative processing and passport return are separate from the interview queue | Varies by case | Not covered by any figure on this page |
WaitDelta stores one figure per category and consulate and shows the date it was read. The State Department publishes both a historical average and a next-appointment estimate, and WaitDelta is verifying which of the two each stored figure represents. See how WaitDelta verifies its data. For the whole journey, from documents to passport return, read How long does a US visa take from India?.
What Is the Wait Time for a B1/B2 Visa in India?
The average B1/B2 tourist and business visa wait time in India is currently 8.6 months (~258 days). Here is the current breakdown by consulate:
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kolkata
Mumbai
The B1/B2 is the most commonly applied-for US visa from India, covering both tourism and business travel. Wait times fluctuate based on seasonal demand and consular interview capacity.
Can You Get a US Visa in 10 Days in India?
Only in specific emergency cases. Standard visa interview wait times currently range from 1.5 months (~45 days) to 11.5 months (~345 days) across Indian consulates.
Emergency (expedited) appointments are available only for:
- Life-threatening medical emergencies requiring US treatment
- Imminent death or funeral of an immediate family member in the US
- Urgent business travel required within the next 10 business days with supporting documentation
For all other applicants, the fastest option is to book at the consulate with the shortest current wait time and build a planning scenario for your booking date.
What Time Are US Visa Slots Released in India?
The State Department does not publish when appointment slots are released, and reports of fixed release windows are unverified. Your booking account shows the dates actually open to you.
Which Indian Consulate Has the Shortest US Visa Wait Time?
The shortest wait depends on your visa category. Here are the current fastest consulates by visa type, using only figures the State Department currently publishes:
Wait times are read from U.S. State Department data on a twice-weekly check schedule. Compare all consulates in the master table above.
US Visa Wait Times by Visa Category
B1/B2 — B-1/B-2 Tourist & Business Visa
The B1/B2 combined tourist and business visa is the most popular US visa category from India, covering leisure travel, family visits, and short-term business trips.
Current average across Indian consulates: 8.6 months (~258 days). Kolkata has the shortest wait at 6 months (~180 days); Hyderabad the longest at 11.5 months (~345 days).
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kolkata
Mumbai
F-1 — F-1 Student Visa
The F-1 student visa is essential for Indian students admitted to US universities. Wait times peak between April and June as students prepare for fall enrollment.
Current average across Indian consulates: 2 months (~60 days). Hyderabad has the shortest wait at 1.5 months (~45 days); Mumbai the longest at 2.5 months (~75 days).
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kolkata
Mumbai
H-1B — H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
The H-1B specialty occupation visa serves IT professionals, engineers, and other skilled workers. Demand is concentrated at consulates near major tech hubs.
L-1 — L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa
The L-1 intracompany transfer visa allows multinational companies to transfer employees to US offices. Processing times vary by consulate staffing.
Why US Visa Wait Times in India Changed in 2026
- Seasonal application surges: F-1 applications peak from April through June as students prepare for fall semester enrollment, pushing wait times higher at all five consulates during this window.
- Consular staffing levels: The number of active consular officers at each post directly impacts interview capacity. Staffing rotations and new officer onboarding cause periodic fluctuations.
- Interview waiver eligibility: Changes to dropbox (interview waiver) eligibility shift demand between appointment pools. When more applicants qualify for waiver, interview queues shorten.
- Regional demand patterns: IT hiring cycles affect H-1B demand at consulates near major tech hubs, particularly Hyderabad and Chennai, while B1/B2 demand follows travel season patterns.
Learn more about how we track and verify these numbers in our methodology.
How to Book the Earliest US Visa Appointment From India
- 1
Complete the DS-160 form
Fill out the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application at ceac.state.gov. Save your confirmation page and barcode number.
- 2
Pay the MRV fee
Pay the Machine Readable Visa fee through the designated payment channels (NEFT, IMPS, or over-the-counter at authorized banks). Keep your receipt number.
- 3
Create a booking portal profile
Register on the US visa appointment booking portal. Link your DS-160 confirmation and payment receipt to your profile.
- 4
Compare wait times and select the fastest consulate
Use the master table on this page to compare current wait times across all five Indian consulates. You are not required to interview at the consulate in your home district.
- 5
Book your appointment and plan your timeline
Book the earliest available slot, then build a planning scenario for your booking date to plan travel, accommodation, and university enrollment deadlines around your expected interview date.