🇺🇸 US Visa Wait Times in India
US visa interview wait times in India by city for B1/B2, F-1 student and H-1B work visas (State Department data of 21 October 2026), plus a planner, 2026 fees and interview rules.
Wait times by city (21 October 2026)
Estimated wait for the next available interview, as published by the US Department of State. These are estimates, not guarantees, and they change monthly; the work category combines several visa types.
| Consulate | Visitor (B1/B2) | Student (F, M, J) | Work (H, L, O, P, Q) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai | 7.5 months | 3.5 months | 2.5 months |
| Hyderabad | 10.5 months | 1 month | 6.5 months |
| Kolkata | 8.5 months | 2.5 months | 1 month |
| Mumbai | 12 months | 4 months | 2 months |
| New Delhi | 11 months | 3 months | 3.5 months |
Fees in 2026
| Visa | Application (MRV) fee | Also pay |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor B1/B2 | $185 | — |
| Student F-1 / M-1 | $185 | $350 SEVIS fee |
| Exchange J-1 | $185 | $220 SEVIS fee |
| Work H, L, O, P, Q | $205 | Employer pays petition fees |
A $250 visa integrity fee, created by US law in July 2025, is charged when a visa is issued. Some US consulates began collecting it in 2026, but as of late October 2026 there was no official notice of collection at Indian posts. Budget for it, and only pay through the consulate's own instructions.
Rules that changed in 2025 and still apply
- In-person interviews for almost everyone (from 2 September 2025). The interview waiver ("dropbox") now covers only narrow cases, so plan for an interview even for a renewal.
- Interview in your own country (from 6 September 2025). Indian residents should book in India; fees paid for the wrong country do not transfer.
- Keep checking for earlier slots. Cancellations release dates often. Once booked, you can usually reschedule a limited number of times, so do not change bookings casually.
- Urgent travel: if you have a genuine emergency (medical, death in the family, a study start you cannot defer), you can request an expedited appointment after booking the first available date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the US visa appointment wait in India?
On the State Department's 21 October 2026 data, visitor (B1/B2) interviews take about 7.5 months in Chennai to 12 months in Mumbai; student (F, M, J) interviews 1 to 4 months; and work (H, L, O, P, Q) interviews 1 to 6.5 months, depending on the city.
Can I book my US visa interview in another Indian city?
Yes. If you live in India you can book at any of the five posts: the Embassy in New Delhi or the consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Since 6 September 2025 you generally have to interview in your country of nationality or residence, so booking in another country is no longer a shortcut.
Is the US visa interview waiver (dropbox) still available?
Only in narrow cases. Since 2 September 2025 most applicants, including children under 14 and adults over 79, must attend an in-person interview. Limited exceptions remain, mainly for some renewals of the same visa type within 12 months of expiry.
How much is the US visa fee for Indians in 2026?
The application (MRV) fee is $185 for visitor, student and exchange visas and $205 for H, L, O, P and Q work visas. F and M students also pay the $350 SEVIS fee and J exchange visitors $220. A $250 visa integrity fee, created by law in July 2025 and charged when the visa is issued, has been collected at some US consulates in 2026, but there was no official notice of collection at Indian posts as of late October 2026, so budget for it.
When can I get my F-1 student visa?
A student visa can be issued up to 365 days before the start date on your I-20, but you can only enter the US 30 days or less before that date. With student waits of 1 to 4 months, book as soon as you have your I-20 and SEVIS payment.
Sources
Figures on this page were checked against these sources on 3 November 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official site before you apply.
- US Department of State: global visa wait times
- Business Today: US visa wait times in India, October 2026 (State Department data of 21 October 2026)
- US Department of State: visa fees
- Country Pilot: visa integrity fee status (25 October 2026)
- Boston University ISSO: visa integrity fee collection begins at some posts (May 2026)
- Business Standard: interview waiver changes from 2 September 2025