Planning a US holiday from India now needs more lead time than many travelers expect. The latest US Department of State data shows that B1/B2 visitor visa interview waits vary sharply by city, with Hyderabad and Mumbai at 9.5 months, New Delhi at 7.5 months, Chennai at 5.5 months, and Kolkata at 4 months. That gap is large enough to change where applicants prefer to book. The estimate can shift week to week, but the current pattern is clear: some Indian cities are far more crowded than others.
For anyone trying to visit the US for tourism, family visits, or short business travel, checking appointment availability early is now part of the process. The good part is that the official system still lets applicants compare locations and track the next available slot through the scheduling portal used in India. The key is using only official sources and avoiding agents promising impossible dates.
Why Are US Tourist Visa Wait Times Rising In India?
Demand has stayed heavy, especially for B1/B2 visitor visas, while appointment supply still differs by post. The US Department of State says visa wait times depend on workload and staffing, and the figures shown online are only estimates, not guaranteed appointment dates. That is why applicants often see one city moving faster than another, even on the same day.
As of the latest official update, Hyderabad and Mumbai are showing the longest B1/B2 waits in India at 9.5 months each. New Delhi stands at 7.5 months, Chennai at 5.5 months, and Kolkata at 4 months. For many travelers, that means city choice can save weeks or even months.
There is another issue, too. The US Embassy in India recently said it was canceling around 2,000 appointments made by bots, warning applicants against agents and fixers who break scheduling rules. That has turned into a major talking point among Indian visa applicants because it affects trust in the booking system and raises the risk of canceled appointments.
Which Indian Cities Have Faster US Visa Appointment Slots?
Right now, Kolkata is the quickest among the main Indian posts for B1/B2 visitor visas, followed by Chennai. New Delhi sits in the middle, while Mumbai and Hyderabad are the slowest. These estimates come from the official State Department wait-time page and can change without warning, so applicants should recheck before making travel plans.
- Kolkata: 4 months
- Chennai: 5.5 months
- New Delhi: 7.5 months
- Hyderabad: 9.5 months
- Mumbai: 9.5 months
This spread has become one of the biggest visa trends for Indian travelers in 2026. Many applicants are now comparing cities first and documents second. That shift is practical. A shorter queue can make a real difference for weddings, holidays, conferences, and family visits already tied to fixed dates. Official X post by U.S. Embassy India.
A Quick Note Before You Switch Cities
Applicants should still follow the official rules on profile details, passport information, and appointment selection. Do not rely on screenshots shared in Telegram groups or third-party booking claims. The US mission in India directs applicants to the official visa scheduling system and its support channels for routine visa questions.
How Can You Check US Visa Appointment Slots In Your City?
The safest way is to start from the official US Embassy and State Department pages, then move to the India scheduling system. First, complete the DS-160 form. Next, create or sign in to your profile through the official US visa appointment platform for India. After fee payment and profile setup, the system shows appointment options and available dates by location.
You can also use the State Department’s public wait-time page to compare cities before choosing one. That page gives a broad estimate, while the appointment portal shows actual scheduling availability tied to your case. The embassy also points applicants to its visa resources and support email for India.
What Should Indian Travelers Do Now?
The smartest move is simple: apply early, compare cities, and stay with official channels. If your travel plan is seasonal, such as summer holidays or year-end trips, build extra time into your schedule. Wait times are estimates, not promises, and sudden surges can stretch them again.
For Indian travelers, the trend is clear. US tourist visa waits are still long, but city choice now plays a bigger role than before. Checking the latest numbers and booking through the official system is the safest route.
FAQs
1. Which city has the shortest US tourist visa wait time in India?
Kolkata currently shows the shortest B1/B2 visitor visa wait time among major Indian processing posts.
2. Which Indian cities have the longest US tourist visa waits now?
Hyderabad and Mumbai currently show the longest B1/B2 wait times at 9.5 months each.
3. Where should applicants check official US visa wait times?
Use the State Department wait-time page and India’s official visa scheduling portal only.
4. Can agents guarantee early US visa appointment slots in India?
No. The embassy has warned against fixers, bots, and non-compliant appointment booking practices.
5. Does the listed wait time guarantee an interview date?
No. The published number is only an estimate and may change week by week.
