This Indian city could help you secure a US visa interview faster

The US Department of State has released its latest global visa wait time data, showing that interview timelines for US visas vary across Indian cities, with some locations offering faster access than others.

The data, updated on April 15, 2026, indicates that applicants in Chennai may be able to secure interview appointments sooner compared to other major cities in India, making it one of the quicker options for those applying for US visitor visas.

This Indian city could get you an interview sooner

Among the five major visa processing centres, Chennai reports an average wait time of around four months for B1/B2 visitor visas, with the next available appointment also at about four months.


In comparison, Mumbai shows an average wait time of seven months, with the next available slot at around 7.5 months. Hyderabad reports an average wait of five months, but the next available appointment extends to eight months.

Kolkata also records longer delays, with both average and next available wait times at around seven months. Meanwhile, New Delhi has an average wait time of five months, with the next available interview slot at about seven months.

Other visa categories move faster

For student and exchange visas (F, M, J categories), wait times in Indian cities are significantly shorter. Chennai shows availability in about one month, while Mumbai and New Delhi also report roughly one-month timelines.

Work visa categories such as H, L, O, P and Q also have shorter queues, with most Indian cities reporting availability within one to three months.

US Visa Wait Times in Indian cities (April 2026)

City	B1/B2 Avg Wait Time	Next Available (B1/B2)	Student Visa (F, M, J)	Work Visa (H, L, O, P, Q)	Crew/Transit
New Delhi	~5 months	~7 months	~1 month	~1 month	~1 month
Mumbai	~7 months	~7.5 months	~2.5 months	~1 month	~1 month
Chennai	~4 months	~4 months	~1 month	~3.5 months	~2 months
Hyderabad	~5 months	~8 months	~2.5 months	~3 months	< 0.5 month
Kolkata	~7 months	~7 months	~3.5 months	~1 month	NA

What the data means for applicants

The State Department said the “next available appointment” reflects the estimated time to secure an interview slot, while “average wait time” measures how long applicants waited in the previous month from fee payment to interview date.

The department stated that new appointment slots are released regularly, and applicants may be able to reschedule for an earlier date if availability improves.

“The average wait times we report do not guarantee a visa applicant will get an appointment within a specific time,” the department said.

The State Department updates visa wait time data every month and calculates timelines in 30-day increments. Officials said applicants should regularly check embassy websites for new slots and updated timelines.