Indian travelers seeking US tourist visas face dramatically different wait times depending on which consulate they choose, with Chennai processing appointments in just one month while Mumbai applicants endure a 10-month queue.
Fresh data from the US Department of State, published on February 13 and analyzed on February 18, reveals stark disparities in B1/B2 (visitor) visa appointment availability across India’s five US consulates.
Current Wait Times Across Indian US Consulates
| Consulate | B1/B2 Tourist Visa Wait Time | Student/Work Visa Wait Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chennai | 1 month | Under 3 months |
| Kolkata | 2.5 months | Under 3 months |
| New Delhi | 8 months | Less than 2 weeks |
| Hyderabad | 8 months | Under 3 months |
| Mumbai | 10 months | Under 3 months |
The massive gap between Chennai’s one-month timeline and Mumbai’s 10-month wait represents the largest disparity in recent years. New Delhi and Hyderabad both show eight-month waits, while Kolkata sits at 2.5 months.
Strategic Consulate Shopping Gains Momentum
Travel consultants report a surge in clients willing to fly domestically to secure faster appointments. Corporate travelers arranging last-minute business trips are shifting appointments to whichever city shows the shortest slots.
Indian passport holders can legally schedule at any US post within the country under consular rules, provided they appear in person for interviews. This flexibility has created an informal market for “consulate shopping,” where applicants weigh travel costs against months of waiting.
For comprehensive guidance on the US visa process, Indian travelers should review our US Visa Guide which covers all requirements and procedures. Our Processing Times tool helps track current wait times across all consulates.
Student and Work Visas Move Faster
Student (F-1, M-1) and petition-based work categories (H, L, O, P, Q) are processing significantly faster nationwide. Many posts offer interview dates in under three months, with New Delhi providing some student visa slots in less than two weeks.
This reflects the US mission’s priority for education and employment mobility while battling pandemic-era backlogs in high-volume tourist segments.
Capacity Challenges Continue
The wait time disparities highlight ongoing capacity-allocation challenges for the US Mission in India, which processed a record 1.4 million visas in 2025. Consular officers added Saturday shifts and hired 300 additional local staff last year, yet demand continues outstripping supply in Mumbai and Delhi.
These two cities handle the highest volumes due to their proximity to India’s busiest outbound airports, creating persistent bottlenecks despite expanded staffing.
For applicants planning their strategy, use our Visa Probability Predictor to assess approval chances before booking appointments at different locations.
Rescheduling Strategy
The US Embassy reminds applicants that wait-time charts update monthly and can swing sharply when new interview blocks open. Paying the visa fee once allows unlimited rescheduling across consulates without penalties.
Applicants who paid fees months ago for Mumbai or Delhi slots can monitor all five consulates daily and immediately reschedule if earlier dates appear elsewhere. This aggressive rescheduling approach has helped thousands of travelers secure appointments months ahead of their original dates.
Source: US Department of State, United States
FAQ
Q: Can I apply for a US visa at any consulate in India? A: Yes, consular rules allow Indian citizens to schedule appointments at any US post within India, provided they appear in person for the interview.
Q: How much faster are student visa appointments compared to tourist visas? A: Student (F-1, M-1) and work visa categories are processing much faster, with many posts offering interviews in under three months and some in New Delhi in less than two weeks.
Q: Do I need to pay the visa fee again if I reschedule to a different consulate? A: No, paying the visa fee once allows you to reschedule to any US consulate in India without additional penalty fees.
Q: How often do the wait time charts get updated? A: The US Embassy updates wait-time charts monthly, though they can change sharply when new interview blocks open up at different consulates.