Long Wait Times Continue for U.S. Visa Applicants in India, Despite Improvements

If you’re planning a visit to the United States for leisure or business and applying through the U.S. consulate in Kolkata, be prepared for an extended wait of 499 days. Although the U.S. has made substantial efforts over the last year to reduce visa wait times, there is still a significant delay for many applicants. In 2023, the U.S. processed a record 1.4 million visas for Indian citizens, with visitor visa appointment wait times reduced by 75%. But despite these positive strides, the issue of long delays has returned.

Currently, wait times for B1/B2 visitor visas, which cover business and tourism purposes, vary significantly across U.S. consulates in India. Kolkata faces the longest wait at 499 days, while applicants in Chennai experience nearly similar delays at 486 days. The consulate in Mumbai has a slightly shorter wait time at 427 days, with New Delhi and Hyderabad close behind at 432 and 435 days, respectively.

“Wait times for B1/B2 visas have once again become an issue for applicants across India,” said a spokesperson, highlighting that despite progress in processing times last year, the numbers remain high at many consulates.

The differences in wait times are considerable, depending on the type of visa application. For instance, Interview Waiver Visitor visas, which do not require an in-person interview, come with far shorter processing times. In New Delhi, these waivers take only 14 days, and Kolkata applicants enjoy an even shorter wait of 13 days.

For those applying for Third Country National (TCN) visas, the process remains similar, with long waits in countries outside the applicant’s home country. For example, wait times reach 332 days in Abu Dhabi and 289 days in Dubai.

A Third Country National visa, or TCN, refers to a visa obtained from a U.S. consulate in a country other than an applicant’s own. Generally, the B1 visa allows individuals to travel to the U.S. for business activities, while the B2 visa is meant for tourists, family visits, medical treatment, and social events without monetary gain. Both visas are typically issued together as a B1/B2 visa, permitting the holder to engage in both business and tourism-related activities during their stay in the U.S.

Despite efforts to streamline visa processing times and recent successes, the prolonged wait times for standard B1/B2 visas continue to pose challenges for Indian applicants seeking to visit the U.S.