U.S. Consular Posts Report Long Wait Times in India; Best to Avoid Unnecessary Travel if Visa Stamp is Needed to Return to U.S.
June 14, 2016
This summer, due to the high number of would-be visitors to the U.S., the Department of State is likely to experience further delays in nonimmigrant visa processing at various posts throughout the world but particularly in India.
The AILA DOS Liaison Committee has confirmed with the DOS that the following are current wait times for nonimmigrant visa interview appointments (not including B, F and J visas):
Chennai – 75 days
Hyderabad – 93 days
Kolkata – 96 days
Mumbai – 88 days
New Delhi – 100 days
DOS is requesting approval from the Indian government to increase the number of consular positions in order to resolve the delays for interviews.
Meanwhile, if Indian nationals do not hold a valid visa stamp (indicating current status in the US) in their passports, we recommend delaying travel outside the U.S. until the long wait times for interviews have subsided.
In cases of humanitarian emergency, it may be possible to request an expedited visa interview.
Please contact WSM as far in advance as possible to discuss options if you are required to travel and must obtain a visa stamp before returning to the U.S.
