Introduction
If you’re planning a business or tourist trip to the U.S., you’re likely looking at the B1/B2 visa category. But recently, securing an interview slot for that visa in India has become a major hurdle. Wait times have ballooned in some cities — though the picture is uneven and evolving. Let’s unpack what’s going on so you can plan better.
- What the current data shows
Recent updates from the U.S. Department of State (and other tracking sources) reveal wide disparities across major Indian cities for B1/B2 visa interview appointments. Some highlights:
In one report, as of May 2025, the average wait in Chennai was about 14 months, with other cities like Mumbai around 9.5 months, New Delhi around 8 months, and Hyderabad ~7 months.
More recent updates show improvement: e.g., Hyderabad reportedly down to around 4.5 months average wait, while Mumbai still up to 11 months in some reports.
A breakdown:
City Approx. Wait Time (recent) Notes
Chennai ~8.5 months average (Aug 2025) Previously much worse
Hyderabad ~3-4.5 months in some cases Relatively lower than many
Mumbai ~4-5.5 months average “next slot” Still significant wait
New Delhi ~4.5 months average, “next slot” up to 12 months One of the slower posts
It’s important to distinguish “average wait time” (how long recent applicants waited) vs. “next available appointment” (when the earliest slot open now is). Often the next slot is what you actually face.
- Why such long wait times?
Several factors contribute to the delay:
High demand: Many applicants vie for B1/B2 visas (tourist + business). Post-pandemic travel surge has added pressure.
Limited capacity / staffing: Consulates can only process so many interview slots; backlog accumulates.
Geographic/consulate variance: Some cities are busier or have fewer slots relative to demand.
Policy changes: For example, changes to interview-waiver eligibility (meaning more people now require an in-person interview) add to load.
Slot release dynamics: New slots may be released irregularly and cancellations/reschedules matter — diligent monitoring can help.
- Implications for applicants from India
Plan early: If your travel date is fixed (e.g., business trip, family event), you must start the visa process well in advance — months before.
Choose your consulate wisely: If you have flexibility, some posts may offer shorter waits (e.g., Hyderabad in recent reports).
Monitor for openings: Even if the “next available” is far off, last-minute openings or cancellations may allow earlier slots.
Account for final approval time: The interview slot is just one piece — after interview there may be administrative processing. The “wait time” metrics do not guarantee the full visa issuance timeline.
Have a contingency plan: Your travel or business schedule might need to be flexible given uncertainty.
- What’s changed / improvements
Good news: Some posts show improvement in wait times. For example, Chennai, which had extremely long delays (~11-14 months) earlier in the year, is reported in some sources to have drops to ~2.5 months average in some snapshots.
But caveats: These improvements may reflect unsustainable slot releases, not guaranteed ongoing trend. And “average wait” may not reflect reality for all applicants still.
- What you should do next (checklist)
Fill out your DS-160 form immediately once your travel plan is confirmed.
Pay your MRV fee as soon as you can — this triggers the scheduling process.
After payment, check the appointment scheduling portal for your chosen consulate regularly. Look out for early openings.
If your travel date is urgent, consider applying at a consulate with shorter wait times — but check rules regarding consulate jurisdiction (you usually need to apply in your country of residence).
Prepare your documentation carefully: purpose of trip, financial support, ties to India/home country. A clean profile helps.
Be realistic: If your travel is for a date that falls well within the “next available appointment” window, you may need to adjust plans or travel later.
- Final Words
The B1/B2 visa interview wait times in India are improving in some areas, but they remain substantially longer than many applicants expect. The variation between cities, the shifting policy environment, and high demand mean that anyone travelling for business or tourism to the U.S. from India must treat the interview slot as a major timeline risk.
If you’re planning now, treat the wait time as several months rather than weeks, unless you’re extremely lucky or applying at a less-busy consulate.