Indian business travellers and their employers must brace for renewed delays at US consulates. According to fresh data published by the US Department of State and analysed by The Economic Times, the next available interview date for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa in Hyderabad is about 12 months away, with Mumbai (11.5 months) and New Delhi (10 months) close behind. Even Chennai, historically quicker, shows a 7.5-month queue. Student (F/M) and exchange-visitor (J) categories fare better—most posts now offer appointments in under two months—but petition-based work visas (H/L/O/P/Q) still require up to 5.5 months in Hyderabad. The State Department stresses that the figures are estimates: consulates periodically release extra slots and applicants can reschedule if earlier dates appear. Nevertheless, the return of double-digit wait periods threatens the fourth-quarter travel plans of Indian executives, trade-show visitors and families planning personal trips. During the pandemic backlog of 2022-25, corporations diverted meetings to Dubai, Singapore and London; travel managers fear a repeat. For companies that cannot afford a year-long delay, the interview-waiver programme remains a partial relief. Repeat B-1/B-2 travellers whose visas expired within 48 months can renew by courier without an interview, while many H-1B and L-1 workers qualify for Dropbox appointments. However, the waiver quota is finite and subject to sudden suspension. Industry associations are lobbying Washington and New Delhi to re-deploy temporary staff, extend interview-waiver eligibility and allow domestic visa revalidation—moves that cut the backlog by half in early 2026. Until then, HR departments are advised to initiate US travel visa applications at least a year in advance, explore virtual alternatives, and build redundancy into project-deployment timelines.
Source: The Economic Times
