F1 Visa Interview Wait Time — U.S. Embassy New Delhi
Current interview appointment wait · Updated monthly from U.S. State Department data
U.S. Embassy New Delhi
F-1 Student Visa
↑ 16 days vs last month
Interview wait
30d
90-day avg
62d
Best in India
30d
F-1 Student Visa Historical Wait Trend — Last 90 Days at Delhi
Compare F1 Visa Wait Times — All India Consulates
| Trend | ||
|---|---|---|
chennai U.S. Consulate General Chennai | 30 days | → No change |
delhi U.S. Embassy New Delhi | 30 days | ↑ 16 days vs last month |
hyderabad U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad | 75 days | → No change |
mumbai U.S. Consulate General Mumbai | 75 days | ↑ 15 days vs last month |
kolkata U.S. Consulate General Kolkata | 105 days | ↑ 30 days vs last month |
About the F-1 Student Visa Wait Time at U.S. Embassy New Delhi
To understand the 30-day figure, note that this reflects calendar days until the earliest available interview slot — not total visa processing time. Total visa processing at U.S. Embassy New Delhi combines the 30-day appointment wait with an additional 3–10 business days of administrative review after your interview completes.
The 30-day wait time at U.S. Embassy New Delhi represents the interview appointment backlog as of May 2026. Interview appointments at this consulate have averaged 62 days over the past 90 days, with the current figure increased by 16 days compared to last month. Last month's figure reflects State Department scheduling data, updated monthly on this page.
The U.S. Embassy New Delhi processes F-1 Student Visa applications for applicants residing in Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. Applicants from these states should apply at U.S. Embassy New Delhi, if their residential address falls within the jurisdiction. Applicants outside this jurisdiction may apply at any of the other 4 Indian consulates that handle US visa applications, such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, or Kolkata depending on availability.
Best Time to Apply for F-1 Student Visa Visa at Delhi — Seasonal Guide
To avoid peak wait periods, plan your F-1 Student Visa application using the seasonal demand patterns below.
F-1 student visa demand at Indian consulates peaks between April and July, when applicants prepare for August and September university intakes. Wait times at U.S. Embassy New Delhi may increase by 30–60 days during this window. Book your appointment before February, if your program starts in August or September. October through January typically sees the lowest F-1 wait times, such as November and December when demand drops by up to 40%.
Other US Visa Types at Delhi — U.S. Embassy New Delhi
B1
B-1 Business Visitor
150d
B1-B2
B-1/B-2 Tourist & Business Visa
150d
B2
B-2 Tourism / Visitor
150d
C1-D
C-1/D Transit & Crew
F2
F-2 Dependent Visa
30d
H1B
H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
30d
H1B1
H-1B1 Specialty (Singapore/Chile)
H4
H-4 Dependent Visa
30d
J1
J-1 Exchange Visitor
30d
J2
J-2 Dependent Visa
30d
L1
L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa
30d
L2
L-2 Dependent Visa
30d
O1
O-1 Extraordinary Ability
30d
Frequently Asked Questions — F-1 Student Visa Visa Wait Time at Delhi
What does the 30-day wait time mean?
The 30-day figure is the number of calendar days until the earliest available interview slot at U.S. Embassy New Delhi. Calendar days do not include administrative visa processing after the interview, which typically adds 3–5 business days before passport return.
Can I apply at a different consulate than my home state?
Yes, US visa applicants in India may apply at any of the 5 consulates regardless of home address. Apply at Chennai, if that consulate currently shows a shorter wait time for F-1 Student Visa applications.
Does this include visa processing time after the interview?
No. The 30 days shown is the wait until your interview appointment only. Visa processing after the interview takes an additional 3–10 business days in most F-1 Student Visa cases, such as administrative processing for work and student visas.
How often does WaitDelta update wait time data?
WaitDelta updates wait time data monthly from official U.S. Department of State scheduling records. The last update date is shown at the top of this page.
When should I apply if my program starts in August 2026?
Apply for your F-1 interview no later than February 2026, if your program starts in August. The current 30-day wait at U.S. Embassy New Delhi plus 5 business days processing means you need at least 35 calendar days of buffer before your program start date.
Compare Delhi F1 Visa Wait Times with Other Indian Consulates
To find the fastest available appointment for F-1 Student Visa, compare Delhi against all Indian consulate wait times below.
F-1 Student Visa Interview Wait — What This Means for Your Application
A current wait of 30 days at U.S. Embassy New Delhi means the earliest available F-1 Student Visa interview appointment is approximately 30 calendar days from today. Plan ahead — peak season (April–August) typically sees higher wait times across all Indian consulates. Interview wait does not include visa processing time after your appointment.