US B1/B2 Visa wait times for Indians cross one year; Chennai has the longest wait time
The wait time for US B1/B2 Visa has crossed the mark of one year because of rising demand. Despite the complete resumption of U.S. visa services in India, demand for tourist and business visas (B1/B2) continues to increase but is facing a significant appointment backlogs.
As per a recent report from Aviation News, Indian applicants face wait times ranging from 7.5 to 13.5 months across major consulates, including Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai.
City with longest wait time
Chennai of all has reported the longest wait time at 13.5 months. It has caused travellers to miss important personal and professional events. The delays are negatively affecting individuals with urgent travel needs, such as weddings, family gatherings, and business meetings.
In fact, securing a timely visa appointment is a challenge in case of emergencies as well.
The report highlights the case of a homemaker planning to attend a wedding in New York, who found the next available appointment only in March 2026—well past the event date. Such incidents have been reported across other Indian cities, including Delhi and Mumbai.
Business travellers are particularly impacted by this as the unpredictability of the appointment system means applicants must check portals frequently in the hope of finding an available slot, making it nearly impossible to plan travel in advance.
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As of now, the emergency and student visa categories are given priority, business travellers often find themselves stuck in limbo due to the scarcity of general appointment availability.
In a development, the U.S. has also announced new visa restrictions targeting Indian travel agencies accused of facilitating illegal immigration. According to the U.S. State Department, these restrictions apply to owners, executives, and senior officials of travel firms suspected of involvement in human smuggling and immigration fraud.
The U.S. embassy emphasized that these actions aim to disrupt illegal immigration networks and hold facilitators accountable. The policy is part of a broader global initiative and applies even to individuals who might otherwise qualify under the Visa Waiver Program.
Mission India's Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service are reportedly working daily to identify such individuals and take appropriate actions.
However, when asked for specific names or agency details, a U.S. embassy official in New Delhi declined to comment.
So for those seeking U.S. B1/B2 visas will now have to face unprecedented delays, with wait times stretching beyond a year in some cities. The situation is compounded by the limited availability of priority slots and the recent crackdown on fraudulent travel agencies, further complicating travel plans for both tourists and business travellers.
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