Many travelers to the U.S. face considerable delays in obtaining a interview for their visa application. Applicants for various visas, such as student visas / exchange visitors (J-1), temporary workers and transit permits, all face longer or shorter waiting periods depending on the city.
It is important to note that, depending on the type of visa and the city in which the applicant is applying, an interview may be required. Here are some examples of processing times for each type of visa:
- Student/exchange visitor visa - D-1 : Abidjan 93 days; Abuja 106 days; Accra 53 days.
- Temporary workers based on petition : Abu Dhabi 74 days; Abuja 664 days.
- Crew and transit permits : Abidjan 239 days; Abu Dhabi 405 days.
- Visitors B1/B2 Paris A85 days, London 110 days (Brussels does well with a single day's wait)
The U.S. government maintains a page showing the average time taken in different cities.
Initiatives to reduce visa interview times
To remedy this situation, U.S. Embassy in India opened over 250,000 new appointments for non-immigrant visas in an effort to facilitate the application process. Despite these efforts, many applicants still face long delays in obtaining their interview and are anxiously awaiting their visa.
Waiting times in different Indian cities:
- New Delhi: 37 calendar days;
- Kolkata: 126 calendar days;
- Mumbai: 322 calendar days;
- Chennai : 541 calendar days;
- Hyderabad : 511 calendar days;
In view of these figures, it is clear that timescales vary considerably from one city to another. This underlines the importance of planning your trip to the USA well in advance, especially for those who wish to go there for professional, academic or personal reasons. Some people travel to neighboring countries to be sure of obtaining a document in time, but are sometimes turned away as consulates only accept local people.
Determine whether an interview is necessary for your visa application
Depending on the type of visa and the city where you are applying, you may not be required to undergo an interview. Here are a few cases in which you may be exempt:
- You have already been granted an American visa and wish to apply for the same type of visa;
- If you are a minor (under 14);
- You're over 80.
Understanding the different types of non-immigrant visas
To prepare for your trip to the United States, it's important to know what you need to know. different types of non-immigrant visas available :
- B1 Visa : for business travelers to the United States;
- B2 Visa : designed for tourists, those visiting friends or family, people seeking medical treatment or individuals taking part in social events without remuneration.
English 
Français 
Deutsch 
Italiano 
Español