In welcome news for Indian travellers, wait times for U.S. visitor visas (B1/B2) have dropped significantly across most U.S. consulates in India. After grappling with prolonged post-pandemic delays, cities such as Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi have seen dramatic improvements in visa interview appointment availability.
However, the city of Chennai stands out as an exception, where applicants continue to face a backlog exceeding 400 days, sparking concern among residents and travel planners.
Updated Visa Appointment Wait Times (as of April 2025)
According to official data released by the U.S. Department of State, these are the latest B1/B2 visa appointment wait times across major Indian cities:
- Hyderabad – approximately 140 days
- Mumbai – approximately 151 days
- New Delhi – approximately 156 days
- Chennai – over 407 days
These numbers represent a remarkable recovery from the highs of late 2022 and early 2023, when many first-time applicants had to wait over 800 days for their visa interviews.
What’s Behind the Drop in Wait Times?
Several proactive steps taken by the U.S. Embassy and consulates in India have helped bring wait times down:
1. Increased Staffing
More consular officers have been hired and deployed to high-demand locations, enabling faster processing of visa interviews and reducing application bottlenecks.
2. Expanded Operating Hours
Consulates have increased the number of daily appointments by extending operating hours and conducting weekend shifts in high-volume centres.
3. Improved Scheduling Systems
The appointment system has been recalibrated to open up additional interview slots, allowing more applicants to schedule interviews in a timely manner.
These measures, combined with better workload distribution between consulates, have made a tangible difference—except in Chennai.
Why Is Chennai Lagging Behind?
Despite national progress, Chennai continues to experience an unusually long wait time. With appointments unavailable for over a year, travellers from southern India are now seeking alternatives in other consular districts.
Experts believe the delay in Chennai could be due to a combination of factors:
- Higher regional demand for B1/B2 visas in Tamil Nadu and adjoining states
- Operational constraints or unfilled staffing positions at the Chennai consulate
- Possible delays in rescheduling or follow-up appointments for previously deferred applicants
Officials have not yet issued a specific explanation for the city’s continued backlog, but many applicants are now choosing to travel to other cities to secure faster appointments.
What Can Applicants Do?
If you’re planning to travel to the United States in the coming months for tourism, business meetings, or family visits, here are a few things to keep in mind:
✅ Apply Early
Start the visa process well in advance of your planned travel. Delays can still occur due to document reviews or administrative processing.
✅ Explore Other Consulates
Applicants are allowed to book appointments outside their home city if available. Many are now opting for Hyderabad, Mumbai, or New Delhi to avoid Chennai’s extended timeline.
✅ Prepare Complete Documentation
Ensure that all documents—such as travel plans, income proof, invitation letters (if any), and previous travel history—are in order. Strong documentation reduces the risk of additional delays.
Business and Family Travellers to Benefit Most
The drop in wait times is especially good news for Indian business professionals and family members attending graduations, weddings, or milestone events in the U.S. Many applicants were previously forced to cancel or postpone travel due to prolonged processing timelines.
The improvement in appointment availability may also help reduce the burden on travel agents and visa consultants, who were struggling with rescheduling requests and dissatisfied clients throughout 2023.
Long-Term Outlook: A System Under Repair
According to U.S. embassy officials, reducing visa backlogs remains a top priority. The embassy in New Delhi, along with consulates in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, have all been directed to:
- Maintain fast-track appointment availability for urgent cases
- Expand the use of interview waivers for certain categories
- Build consular capacity through hiring and training
While this signals a positive long-term trend, some applicants may still face long waits, especially in overburdened cities like Chennai.
Final Thoughts
The sharp drop in U.S. visitor visa wait times across India brings much-needed relief for many travellers. However, the continued delays in Chennai highlight the unevenness of recovery and the importance of planning strategically.
Whether you’re a first-time applicant or a returning visitor, staying updated on appointment availability across different cities—and being flexible with your consulate location—could help you secure your visa sooner.
In the meantime, consular authorities will need to address the lag in Chennai to ensure equitable access to travel services for all Indian applicants.
