Wait times for US visa appointments drop, shortest for New Delhi

In a major relief for Indian students planning to study in the United States, the wait time for the next available F, M, and J visa appointments at the US Embassy in New Delhi has dropped sharply, according to the latest update released by the US State Department.

However, the State Department notes that the average wait times shown on its portal are estimates and do not guarantee that applicants will receive an appointment within that exact period.

Wait times are calculated in 30-day increments for full months and 15-day increments for half months, and they include weekends and holidays during which embassies remain closed.

Despite this, the latest figures signal a positive trend for student visa applicants in the capital

Fastest times in New Delhi centre

As per the updated appointment table:

• F, M, J visas: 0.5 months
• C, D, C1/D visas: <0.5 months
• B1/B2 next appointment: 10 months
• Average B1/B2 wait time: 3.5 months

While visitor visa (B1/B2) applicants still face long queues—currently at 10 months for the next appointment—student and exchange visitor categories have seen the steepest improvement.

Other centres

While other consulates show mixed trends compared to New Delhi, across India, wait times for student visas remain relatively stable.

• Chennai: 2 months
• Hyderabad: 2.5 months
• Kolkata: 2.5 months
• Mumbai: 3 months

For work visas under categories like H, L, O, P, and Q, New Delhi and Kolkata show no availability, while other consulates have windows ranging from 1 to 2 months.

The State Department also clarifies that new appointments are added regularly, meaning applicants could potentially secure an earlier slot. After scheduling, users can monitor the appointment system and shift to an earlier date if it opens up.