Getting A US Tourist Visa Gets Tougher; Wait Times Stretch To 9.5 Months In Mumbai & Hyderabad

Planning a trip to New York or a summer holiday in California? You may have to plan ahead, as getting a US tourist visa has just become a little more difficult for Indians. The waiting time has now become even longer. Keep reading to know what travellers need to keep in mind before planning their dream trip to the US.

Indians May Have To Wait Longer For US Tourist Visa 

Getting a US tourist visa is quite difficult. The process is strict and requires proof that you have sufficient finances. But apart from that, the wait times for interview appointments for Indians can also be very long. According to Hindustan Times, the waiting game to get a tourist visa for the US has now become even longer.

According to the latest visa appointment data released by the US Department of State, applicants seeking B-1/B-2 visitor visas in Hyderabad and Mumbai now face average interview wait times of 9.5 months, among the longest reported globally. The updated data, which was released on June 18, 2026, also shows that wait times have increased in most major Indian cities. There is an average wait time of 7.5 months in New Delhi, 5.5 months in Chennai and four months in Kolkata.

Also Read: US Student Visas To Have Expiry Date? What This Means For Indians

Shorter Wait Time For Student And Work Visas 

According to Hindustan Times, Hyderabad and Mumbai are among the cities with the longest visitor visa appointment queues. These cities are behind Toronto (21 months), Ottawa (14 months), Vancouver (12 months) and Bogotá (11 months). However, the extended delays are limited to visitor visas. Student and work visa applicants face shorter waits, with an average wait time of 1.5-2 months in Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi.

You should also know that these waiting periods are only averages. They do not guarantee how long an applicant will actually have to wait. Moreover, the US embassies and consulates regularly release fresh appointment slots. This means applicants who already have a booking can sometimes log in and reschedule to an earlier date.

Also Read: Why Is Canada Rejecting Visa Applications From Indian FIFA Fans?

This basically means that if you are planning a visit to the US soon, you may have to plan well ahead, considering the longer wait times for a tourist visa. What are your thoughts on this?

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