U.S. Visa Wait Times in India: Faster F-1 Appointments Than B-1/B-2

by Niloofar Rahimi Zadeh updated on Sep 28, 2026 05:35:03 PM

Indian applicants seeking U.S. visitor visas continue to face long appointment backlogs, while interview availability for student and petition-based work visas remains significantly better.

The U.S. Department of State’s data, updated September 17, 2026, lists the next available B-1/B-2 interview at 12 months in Hyderabad, 11.5 months in Mumbai, and 10 months in New Delhi. By comparison, the next available appointment for F, M, and J applicants ranges from less than half a month in Chennai to 2.5 months in Mumbai. (travel.state.gov)

September 2026 U.S. Visa Wait Times in India

The figures below are estimates for appointments requiring an interview. “Petition-based” includes H, L, O, P, and Q visa classifications, including H-1B visas.

U.S. consular post	B-1/B-2 average wait	Next B-1/B-2 appointment	Next F, M, or J appointment	Next petition-based appointment
Chennai	7 months	7.5 months	Less than 0.5 month	1.5 months
Hyderabad	11.5 months	12 months	1.5 months	5.5 months
Kolkata	6 months	6.5 months	2 months	1 month
Mumbai	11 months	11.5 months	2.5 months	1.5 months
New Delhi	7.5 months	10 months	2 months	3 months

These columns measure different things. The average B-1/B-2 wait shows how long applicants typically waited during the previous month, measured from fee payment to the interview date. The “next available appointment” is a forward-looking estimate based on the earliest slot showing at that location. (travel.state.gov)

What the Data Means for F-1 Students

The September figures show that the severe B-1/B-2 backlog does not currently extend to student visa appointments at the same scale. F, M, and J interview availability at India’s five major U.S. consular posts ranges from under 15 days to approximately 2.5 months.

For prospective F-1 students, however, a shorter appointment wait does not guarantee that a visa will be issued by a particular date. Applicants still need time to:

Obtain the Form I-20 and pay the SEVIS I-901 fee;
Complete the DS-160 application;
Schedule and attend the interview;
Submit any additional documents requested; and
Receive their passport after adjudication.

Students already in the United States who plan to travel to India for visa stamping should also leave room for possible delays before scheduling their return flight. The published appointment figures do not include post-interview administrative processing or passport delivery. Administrative processing timelines depend on the individual case. (travel.state.gov)

H-1B Appointment Availability Varies Sharply by City

For petition-based visas, including H-1B, the next available interview ranges from one month in Kolkata to 5.5 months in Hyderabad.

Mumbai and Chennai show waits of 1.5 months, while New Delhi lists three months. This difference can be important for H-1B professionals planning international travel and needing a new visa stamp before returning to the United States.

Applicants should remember that the Department of State now generally directs nonimmigrant visa applicants to schedule interviews in their country of nationality or residence. Those applying elsewhere may face longer waits and may need to demonstrate residence in the country where they apply. (travel.state.gov)

Appointment Estimates Can Change

The published U.S. visa wait times are not guaranteed deadlines. Embassies and consulates regularly add appointment slots, so an applicant may be able to reschedule for an earlier date after securing an initial appointment.

The State Department calculates a full month as 30 days and a half month as 15 days, including weekends and holidays. Its global table also does not reflect separate appointment timelines for applicants who qualify for an interview waiver. (travel.state.gov)

The practical takeaway is clear: Indian F-1 and H-1B applicants currently have substantially better appointment availability than B-1/B-2 applicants, but the wait varies significantly by consular post. Applicants should check the official scheduling system regularly and avoid treating the published estimate as a guaranteed visa issuance timeline.

Sources:

Topics: H1B Status

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