US Visa Wait in India: Where You Book an Appointment Faster in 2025
- May 5, 2025
- Posted by: Visas
- Category: USA Visa
Traveling from India to America this year for a business conference, a family visit, or to finally get that highway road trip from San Francisco to LA, you might be gearing up for one of the biggest challenges: visa appointment wait time.
As of 2025, waiting to schedule an appointment interview for a US B1/B2 visa takes longer than the typical applicant anticipates.
In fact, in certain cities, people wait over a year just for their appointment. But the catch is, all cities are not the same. If you prepare ahead of time and apply tactically, you can schedule your appointment months ahead of others.
Why the Delay in 2025?
The US State Department regularly posts visa wait times, and as of late April 2025, the Indian consulate still displays numbers. Why? Here are a few reasons:
Crazy demand due to COVID travel backlogs
Sparse staffing levels at US consulates
Busy travel seasons cause traffic jams
Priority is given to student and work visas, and if you don’t get an interview waiver—that only happens to a select few—you’ll need to show up in person.
That is, you’ll need to fight with thousands of others for a handful.
Longest US Visa Interview Wait Times by Indian City
(April 2025)
America also has five consulates in large Indian cities. This is how long folks wait. Now, the latest government report tells us. These are the figures for how long new applicants have to wait and how far in advance new appointments are being scheduled.
| City | Average Wait (Past Month) | Next Available Appointment |
| Hyderabad | 7.5 months | 7.5 months |
| Mumbai | 7.5 months | 9.5 months |
| Kolkata | 8 months | 8 months |
| New Delhi | 9 months | 9 months |
| Chennai | 11.5 months | 13.5 months |
Takeaway: If you wish to speed up your visa, Hyderabad and Kolkata are the places to be. Chennai, however, has the highest delays.
What Exactly Are B1 and B2 Visas?
Just in case you’re wondering if this is something that affects you, here’s a quick primer:
B1 visas are awarded to visitors traveling to the US for business activities like meeting clients, attending conferences, or sealing a deal.
B2 visas are for visitors traveling to the United States for pleasure, visiting relatives and friends, receiving medical treatment, or attending social events. Most people get a combined B1/B2 visa, which covers both purposes simultaneously.
They are visitor visas and are hands down one of the most popular types. US officials have issued more than 8.5 million visitor visas in 2024 alone.
How to Shorten Your Wait Time
Here are some tips in practice that will enable you to fast-track the process and not get stuck in a one-year waitlist:
- Be Open to Applying Outside Your City
You don’t necessarily need to make an appointment in your native state. US consulates in India allow applicants to apply anywhere. So, if Hyderabad is 7.5, since your hometown is over a year away, it’s worth driving. - Refresh the Portal regularly
Appointments arise out of the blue, especially if there is a second candidate who needs to cancel or re-book. Keep refreshing the system over and over and over. If you do not quit, you could find yourself with a much earlier appointment than originally available. - Rescheduling Is Possible Up to a Point. If you find you have an existing appointment time once you’ve booked, you can rebook your appointment. Just watch out—there are only so many rescheduled appointments that you are allowed to make before the system kicks you out.
- Prepare for the Time After the Interview
Most people think that the interview is the final obstacle, but that is not always so. If
your case goes through administrative processing, weeks—perhaps even
months—are required. Make arrangements accordingly.
How the Interview Process Works
You are not approved for your appointment. The consular officer will take into account in detail at the interview:
Your connections to India (e.g., your profession, relatives, or property)
The purpose of your visit
How will you pay for your stay
Your travel history… If they decide that your intention is not clear or you have weak connections to return home, they can deny the visa, even on the spot.
Q&A: What Travelers Are Asking About the US Visa Waits
Q1. Can I apply in a city where I don’t live?
Yes. You can interview at any US consulate in India. That gives you some flexibility
to choose the city with the shortest waiting period.
Q2. How up-to-date are the wait times that are listed?
They’re current trend estimates only. Wait times may change due to cancellations. Seasonality or internal personnel issues. Q3. I booked in one city but found an earlier date in another city—can I reschedule?
Yes. Provided you are still within the number of reschedules permissible, you can cancel and book at another consulate.
Q4. What is the interview waiver, and who qualifies?
An interview waiver allows certain applicants to renew a visa without coming in for an in-person interview. To qualify, usually:
Your prior visa expired within the last 4 years
You’re applying in the same visa category
You otherwise meet age, health, or special conditions. Verify eligibility on the official US Travel Docs India website.
Q5. Is Hyderabad the fastest at the moment?
For now, yes. Hyderabad and Kolkata both have the shortest waiting times based on
In April 2025, data.
Q6. Once I schedule an appointment, are my chances of getting a Is a visa always in my interest?
No. The consular officer will decide according to your documents, answers, and circumstances in total. Never an automatic yes.
Last Words: Be Smart, Be Early
It’s not always simple to apply for a US visa in 2025—it requires preparation. Patience and a pinch of strategy. But it can be done. If you are flexible about which place you apply, keep checking the portal, and are extremely familiar with the process, you can set yourself up for actual success. If a US trip is on your calendar this year, prepare beforehand. Hyderabad and Kolkata are your best bet for an early booking, and planning can save you up to six months—or even more.
And don’t forget: the interview is only half the battle. Plan, tell the truth, and document everything. The best way to ensure your journey doesn’t get short-circuited before it has even started.