U.S. Visitor Visa Waits Near One Year in Hyderabad, Mumbai

U.S. visitor visa appointments in India now stretch close to a year at several major consular posts, according to State Department data updated on September 17, 2026. The figures highlight sharply different scheduling conditions for tourists, students, and professionals planning travel to the United States.

Visitor Visa Backlogs

For applicants who require a B-1/B-2 interview, Hyderabad shows a 12-month next appointment, the longest wait among the five Indian posts listed. Mumbai follows at 11.5 months, while New Delhi stands at 10 months.

The next available B-1/B-2 appointment is estimated at 7.5 months in Chennai and 6.5 months in Kolkata. Average waits during the previous month were 11.5 months in Hyderabad, 11 months in Mumbai, 7.5 months in New Delhi, seven months in Chennai, and six months in Kolkata.

B-1 visas generally cover temporary business activities such as meetings, conferences, and contract negotiations. B-2 visas are used for tourism, family visits, and certain medical travel. Neither category authorizes regular employment or degree study in the United States.

Students Face Shorter Waits

Student visa waits are much shorter than visitor visa waits. The next available interview for F, M, and J applicants is listed at less than half a month in Chennai, 1.5 months in Hyderabad, and two months in both New Delhi and Kolkata. Mumbai has the longest student and exchange visitor wait among the five posts at 2.5 months.

This difference matters for students with fixed academic calendars. Although the published availability is comparatively favorable, applicants should still begin after receiving the required school or exchange documents and allow time for the interview, visa processing, and passport return.

Employment Visa Scheduling

Appointment availability also varies for petition-based H, L, O, P, and Q visas. The State Department lists the next interview at 5.5 months in Hyderabad, three months in New Delhi, 1.5 months in Chennai and Mumbai, and one month in Kolkata.

Professionals planning international travel should therefore review the figures for their specific visa category rather than relying on the B-1/B-2 backlog. A visitor visa cannot be used as a substitute for a visa that authorizes employment.

What Applicants Should Know

These figures are estimates, not guarantees. The State Department calculates full months as 30 days and half months as 15 days. Consular posts regularly add appointments, and applicants who have already booked may find an earlier date by checking the scheduling system and rescheduling when a slot becomes available.

The table also excludes interview-waiver appointment times. Eligibility and procedures should be confirmed through the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate before making travel plans.

Sources

• Global Visa Wait Times — U.S. Department of State (September 17, 2026)
• Visitor Visa — U.S. Department of State (accessed September 29, 2026)
• What do the latest US visa wait times reveal: Hyderabad, Mumbai near a year for B1/B2 appointments; Delhi at 10 months — The Times of India (September 27, 2026)