The official visa interview time in Indian cities continues to vary as per the new official data released by US‘ Department of State. The global visa wait time data, lists both average waiting periods and the estimated date of the next available interview appointment.
US visa interview appointment: What does the data show?
The latest data showed that the waiting time for an appointment in Delhi is the longest among all Indian cities listed. In Delhi, the average wait time for a B1/B2 visitor visa is 2 months and the next available appointment slot for applicants is up to eight months.
For student visa categories (F, M, J) move much faster in the capital with interviews available in about one month, making it the quickest city for student visa appointments.
In Mumbai, B1/B2 visa applicants may have to wait for about 2.5 months, and the next available interview appointment is nearly seven months away. Student visa applicants face a wait of around three months. However, Mumbai currently has the shortest wait time for employment-based visas (H, L, O, P and Q), with interview slots available in roughly one month.
What about other cities?
In Hyderabad, the average wait time for visitor visa appointment is about 2.5 months and the next available appointment is around four months. Student visa interviews are available in about two months, while employment-based visa applicants may have to wait roughly 2.5 months.
In Kolkata, visitor visa applicants will have to face an average wait of around 2.5 months, with the next available interview slot in approximately four months. Student visa appointments are available in about two months.
For Chennai applicants, the average wait time for visitor visas is around 1.5 months. However, the estimated date for the next available interview appointment has not been listed, making exact planning uncertain.
US freezes immigrant visa processing for 75 countries
The data was released shortly after the US froze immigrant visa processing from 75 countries, including Russia, Pakistan, Iran. US’ State Department said it would pause immigrant visa processing for countries whose migrants “take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates”.
India was not included in the list.