The US State Department updated visa wait‑time data on September 17, showing B‑1/B‑2 visitor visa appointments at the Hyderabad consulate now require 12 months. The same update lists Mumbai at 11.5 months, New Delhi at 10 months and Chennai at 7.5 months, while Chennai’s student‑visa wait sits at less than a month.
Student‑visa appointments remain far shorter across the board: Chennai’s next slot is less than 0.5 month, Hyderabad 1.5 months, Mumbai 2.5 months and New Delhi 2 months. The State Department notes these figures are estimates, calculated in 30‑day increments, and that new slots are added regularly.
Work‑visa wait times vary more erratically; Chennai’s next appointment is 1.5 months, Mumbai’s 1.5 months, Hyderabad 5.5 months and New Delhi 3 months for H‑1B and other employment‑based visas. The disparity reflects the uneven demand and processing capacity at each post.
For companies hiring abroad, the near‑year wait in Hyderabad could delay the deployment of skilled engineers and researchers, while the improved situation in Mumbai may ease timelines for multinational teams.
The State Department will add new slots weekly, but applicants must book immediately and keep their calendars open for early‑slot openings.