Reduction in US Visa Wait Times Sparks Joy for Indian Students and Travelers

US visa wait times for Indian applicants have dropped significantly across major cities, leading to faster appointments, particularly for student (F, M, J) and tourist/business (B-1/B-2) visas. This comes as a welcome relief for travelers, students, and businesses who have faced long delays in securing visa appointments over the past year.

According to recent updates from the U.S. Department of State, as of early December 2025, the wait times in New Delhi have reduced to around 4 weeks for F, M, and J category visas, down from over two months in October-November. Wait times for B-1/B-2 visas have also eased in many cities. For example, Kolkata now averages 4.5 months compared to 6–7 months earlier, and Chennai’s wait time dropped to a status of “N/A”, signaling available slots.

Mumbai still shows longer wait times at 9.5 months for B-1/B-2 and 3 months for student visas, though this marks an improvement from previous months. However, appointment data for non-immigrant work visas such as H1B and L1 is not available for October-November 2025. Current wait times for these categories are 31.5 and 35.5 weeks in New Delhi, and 24 weeks in Mumbai.

Experts attribute the reduced wait times to better processing efficiency, additional appointment slots, and improved resource management at US consulates in India. It’s important to note that listed wait times reflect averages and may change depending on slot availability. For the most accurate information, applicants are advised to frequently check official appointment systems.

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