DELHI- Delays in US B1/B2 visa appointments are reaching crisis levels for Indian applicants, in major cities like Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, wait times now stretch from 7.5 to 13.5 months (Over 1 Year).
These extended delays are disrupting travel plans for family visits, weddings, business conferences, and personal emergencies. Even urgent cases face limited relief due to scarce priority slots.
US Visa Appointment Delays
Applicants across India are facing severe hurdles in accessing timely B1/B2 visa appointments.
While the United States government has resumed full visa operations, the demand for tourist and business visas continues to far outpace the available appointments. This has resulted in extreme backlogs across US consulates in India.
In Chennai, the delay is currently the longest, 13.5 months, leaving applicants unable to attend critical events.
One homemaker, attempting to travel for a family wedding in New York (JFK), reported that the earliest available slot falls after the event, in March of the following year.
This delay trend is consistent across other consular locations, with Delhi and Mumbai both exceeding 9 months of wait time.
Business professionals are especially affected. An entrepreneur from Mumbai (BOM) shared that he had to cancel international conferences due to visa uncertainty.
The lack of a predictable scheduling system makes planning virtually impossible, with many applicants repeatedly checking the portal without success.
Emergency and Student Visas
While general applicants wait for over a year, emergency visa cases and student categories receive limited priority appointments.
According to Faheem Sheikh, Chairman of the Travel Agents Federation of India (AP and Telangana), most summer priority slots are assigned to F1 student applicants preparing for the academic year in the US.
However, even urgent family cases are caught in the delay. A 65 year old woman from Hyderabad planning to be in Chicago for her daughter’s childbirth could only secure an appointment post the due date.
The emotional and logistical stress caused by these delays is significant, with many expressing frustration over the lack of clear communication or resolution strategies from the consular services.
Long Term Impact
Travel agencies are advising clients to apply well in advance and remain vigilant for sudden slot openings.
From an economic perspective, these delays may affect inbound tourism, academic enrollments, and cross border business collaborations.
Indian travelers contribute significantly to the US travel economy, and prolonged wait times could shift future travel preferences toward other countries with more streamlined visa processes.
Additionally, the issue highlights broader challenges in US visa infrastructure globally.
Diplomatic missions continue to grapple with reduced staffing and high demand, leading to systemic bottlenecks that extend beyond India. Without increased resources or digital reforms, long wait times may persist.
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