Despite efforts, US visa interview wait times remain high globally
Travelers seeking US visas face long delays for interviews, with wait times varying widely by city and visa type. India's wait times range from 37 to 541 days.
Travelers hoping to visit or move to the United States are contending with long delays to secure a visa interview appointment. Applicants for a range of US non-immigrant visas—including student/exchange visitor (J-1) visas, temporary worker visas, and crew/transit permits—are all facing prolonged wait times that vary significantly depending on the consulate city.
While the need for an in-person interview depends on the visa class and application location, many travelers must still book one. Examples of notable wait times by visa type include:
Student/Exchange Visitor (J-1) visas: Abidjan 93 days; Abuja 106 days; Accra 53 days.
Temporary workers sponsored by a US employer: Abu Dhabi 74 days; Abuja 664 days.
Crew and transit permits: Abidjan 239 days; Abu Dhabi 405 days.
B1/B2 visitor visas: Paris 85 days; London 110 days (with Brussels reporting just one day of wait time).
The US Department of State maintains a page listing current average wait times by post.
Efforts to reduce wait times
The US embassy in India has added over 250,000 interview slots for non-immigrant visas, yet many applicants still face long queues. Schedule times vary dramatically across Indian cities:
New Delhi: 37 calendar days
Kolkata: 126 calendar days
Mumbai: 322 calendar days
Chennai: 541 calendar days
Hyderabad: 511 calendar days
These disparities highlight the need for early planning, especially for those traveling for work, study, or personal reasons. Some applicants look to neighboring countries for earlier appointments, though such options are limited and visas are typically only issued to local residents.
Who can skip the visa interview?
In certain situations, travelers may be exempt from a consular interview. Common exemptions include:
Previous holders of the same non-immigrant visa class applying again;
Minors under 14 years old;
Applicants aged 80 or older.
Key non-immigrant visitor visa categories
The most common non-immigrant US visas travelers should know are:
B1 visa: for business-related travel to the United States;
B2 visa: for tourism, family visits, medical treatment, or participation in social events without pay.
