US Embassy Opens Visa Appointments, Wait Times Increased to Over 2 Years Amid High Demand

On Tuesday, September 27, the US Embassy and Consulates in India announced on their website that they are unable to accommodate all travellers prior to their scheduled departure dates due to the high volume of visa requests, even if the purpose of the trip is time sensitive.

Since there is a high demand for non-immigrant visas to enter the country as temporary visitors, the US embassy advised anyone considering applying to check the wait time for an interview using a tool on the website.

US Visa Wait Time in India

To make things easier for our readers, we carried out the search on your behalf, and here are the current visa waiting times for US visas in Indian embassies and consulates.

According to our findings, the waiting period for a non-immigrant visa varies depending on the Indian city and visa category.

• The waiting period for Visitor Visas in Delhi on September 28 is 833 calendar days, 430 calendar days for Student/Exchange Visitor visas, and 390 calendar days for all other non-immigrant visas.

• In Mumbai, the wait time for Visitor visas is 848 calendar days, 430 calendar days for Student/Exchange Visitor visas, and 392 calendar days for all other non-immigrant visas.

• In Chennai, the wait time for Visitor visas is 780 calendar days, 29 calendar days for Student/Exchange Visitor visas, and 415 calendar days for all other non-immigrant visas.

• The waiting period for Visitor Visas in Hyderabad is 582 calendar days, 430 calendar days for Student/Exchange Visitor Visas, and 219 calendar days for all other non-immigrant visas.

• While in Kolkata, the wait time for Visitor visas is 767 calendar days, 444 calendar days for Student/Exchange Visitor visas, and 360 calendar days for all other non-immigrant visas.

Reasons Behind High Wait Times

According to the embassy, due to reduced staffing and numerous pandemic-related disruptions to operations since March 2020, appointment demand for visas is high across all categories, and wait times for most routine non-immigrant visa appointments at the embassy in New Delhi and the consulates in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai may be longer.

US Embassy Resume Visa Appointments

Beginning this month, the embassy was once again processing standard in-person B1 and B2 visa appointments. These are not placeholder appointments.

The embassy noted that until December 31, 2022, certain categories of visa applicants are exempt from having to undergo an in-person interview thanks to a Department of State authorization.

This new authorization is valid for travellers who were previously granted any type of visa, are applying for a visa from their country of nationality or residence, and are seeking F, H-1, H-3, H-4, non-blanket L, M, O, P, Q, or academic J visas.

The applicants who have a prior rejection that was not subsequently waived are not eligible for this authorization. If additional information from applicants is needed, adjudicating consular officers may ask for an in-person interview.

Applicants renewing any visa within 48 months of expiration also continue to be eligible for an interview waiver.

Visa Fees Validity Extension

The United States Embassy and Consulates in India acknowledge that many visa applicants have paid the visa application processing fee but have yet to schedule a visa appointment.

The Embassy is working hard to restore all routine visa operations as soon as possible and as safely as possible. Meanwhile, the US Mission will extend the validity of your payment (known as the MRV fee) until September 30, 2023, allowing all applicants who were unable to schedule a visa appointment due to the suspension of routine consular operations to schedule and/or attend a visa appointment with the already paid fee.