The U.S. State Department’s latest public data show that next-available interview dates for B-1/B-2 visitor visas now stretch to 12 months in Hyderabad, 11.5 months in Mumbai and 10 months at the New Delhi embassy—erasing much of the progress made earlier this summer. The Times of India analysed the figures, which were updated on 17 September and published early Sunday. By contrast, student-visa (F, M, J) appointments remain available within two months at every major Indian post, and petition-based work visas (H, L, O, Q) show waits ranging from 1.5 to 5.5 months. The divergence underscores how pent-up demand for business and leisure travel continues to outpace consular capacity more than three years after pandemic shutdowns. Mumbai did register improvement—down from a 14-month queue in August—thanks to additional staffing and Saturday mega-drives, but Hyderabad’s backlog worsened. Consular officials note that the published numbers are rolling estimates; applicants who already hold appointments can often reschedule to earlier slots as new windows open. For U.S. employers managing short-term assignments out of India, the data mean that new visitor-visa applications filed today may not secure an interview until fall 2027 unless travellers qualify for interview waivers. Mobility managers should therefore build lead times of 10-12 months into project planning, consider routing through Chennai (seven-month average) or exploiting drop-box renewals where eligible. The State Department says it has issued a record 145 000 student visas in India during fiscal 2026 and is prioritising first-time B-1/B-2 applicants next, but staffing constraints persist. Stakeholders can track updates on the official wait-time portal and subscribe to consulate alerts for extra appointment releases.
Source: The Times of India
