The wait time for U.S. B1/B2 visa appointments in India has reached a critical stage, severely affecting travelers in key metropolitan cities such as Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. Applicants now face delays ranging from 7.5 months to as long as 13.5 months—over a year in some locations.
These delays have had a profound impact on Indian travelers, throwing a wrench into plans for family reunions, weddings, business conferences, and emergencies. Even those facing urgent circumstances find little relief, as priority visa slots are extremely limited.
Across India, B1/B2 visa applicants are encountering significant challenges in securing timely appointments. While the United States government has reinstated full visa operations, the demand for business and tourist visas continues to far exceed the supply of appointment slots. This has caused a massive backlog in visa processing at U.S. consulates throughout the country.
Chennai currently holds the record for the longest delay, with appointment wait times stretching to 13.5 months. This has prevented many applicants from attending major life events. For instance, a homemaker trying to travel to New York (JFK) for a family wedding shared that the earliest appointment she could get is in March of the following year, which is long after the wedding date.
This pattern isn’t limited to Chennai. Applicants in Delhi and Mumbai are experiencing similar frustrations, with both cities showing wait times of more than nine months. Such prolonged delays have been especially hard on business travelers. An entrepreneur from Mumbai (BOM) revealed that he had to cancel attendance at multiple international conferences due to the uncertainty surrounding his visa appointment. “It’s just impossible to plan,” he said.
Applicants are left in limbo due to the lack of a predictable or transparent scheduling system. Many are left checking the visa portal frequently in the hope that a slot might open up, often without any luck. The system, plagued by a shortage of available slots, offers little recourse even for those in time-sensitive situations.
Although some categories, such as emergency visas and student visa applicants, are given limited priority, these slots remain scarce. Faheem Sheikh, Chairman of the Travel Agents Federation of India (AP and Telangana), pointed out that the majority of the summer’s priority slots are being allotted to F1 student visa applicants preparing to begin their studies in the U.S. He explained, “F1 students are being prioritized for appointments, which leaves little room for other urgent cases.”
Still, even dire family emergencies often fall through the cracks. A 65-year-old woman from Hyderabad, who had planned to be in Chicago for her daughter’s childbirth, was unable to secure a visa appointment in time. Her appointment was only available after the baby’s expected due date. This situation highlights the emotional strain such delays are causing on families.
Many travelers have voiced their dissatisfaction with what they see as a lack of transparency and effective resolution strategies from the consular services. The absence of clear communication adds to the emotional toll, as applicants are left uncertain about how to proceed or when they might be able to travel.
In response, travel agencies are advising clients to submit their applications as early as possible and to keep a constant watch on the appointment portal for any sudden availability. However, this strategy offers little comfort to those with fixed deadlines or urgent travel needs.
Beyond the immediate impact on individual travelers, the delays may have broader economic and diplomatic consequences. For one, the prolonged wait times could deter Indian tourists from visiting the United States, thereby affecting inbound tourism revenue. “Indian travelers are a vital part of the U.S. travel economy,” noted one travel industry insider. If current trends continue, more Indians may start favoring destinations with quicker and more efficient visa procedures.
Academic institutions and international business relationships could also feel the pinch. With student visas being given priority, general applicants are being pushed further back, affecting those who may want to attend conferences, sign contracts, or pursue other professional opportunities in the U.S.
Moreover, the problem isn’t just limited to India. The situation reflects a larger issue within the U.S. visa infrastructure worldwide. Diplomatic missions across the globe continue to face challenges related to staffing shortages and overwhelming demand. Without meaningful changes—either in the form of increased personnel or digital reforms—the problem is likely to persist.
Experts argue that structural improvements are needed within the visa appointment system. Until those happen, travelers will continue to face long wait times and uncertainty. The current situation makes it evident that U.S. visa services must adapt quickly if they hope to meet the needs of a globalized, mobile population.
The long-term implications are significant. If these delays become the norm rather than the exception, the U.S. may find itself losing not only tourists but also students and business leaders to other nations with more responsive immigration systems.
In the meantime, affected applicants are left to navigate a frustrating and opaque process, hoping their travel plans won’t be permanently derailed by bureaucratic delays. For many, the American dream remains on hold—not because of denial, but because of delay.