# US visitor visa wait times hit 12 months in Hyderabad

2026-09-25T07:52:30+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

Indian applicants for US B1/B2 visitor visas face waits of up to 12 months for an interview appointment, according to the US State Department's data updated on September 17. Hyderabad has the longest wait at 12 months, followed by Mumbai at 11.5 months, New Delhi at 10 months, Chennai at 7.5 months, and Kolkata at 6.5 months. For student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, J categories), wait times are far shorter: Chennai offers the next available appointment in under half a month, Hyderabad at 1.5 months, New Delhi and Kolkata at two months, and Mumbai at 2.5 months. Petition-based work visas (H, L, O, P, Q) show waits ranging from one month in Kolkata to 5.5 months in Hyderabad. The Times of India notes that compared to August data, Mumbai's average B1/B2 wait dropped from 14 months to 11 months, while Hyderabad's rose from 9.5 months to 11.5 months. The State Department cautions that estimates are not guarantees, as embassies regularly release additional slots and interview waivers may apply for eligible applicants.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

Both outlets report the same State Department data with neutral framing, but The Times of India adds month-over-month comparison showing Mumbai's wait improving and Hyderabad's worsening, giving context on trends. The Economic Times omits this directional shift, presenting the data as a static snapshot. The balanced reading is that while overall visitor visa waits remain severe, the trend varies by city. The key watch item is whether Hyderabad's wait continues to climb in the next update. The tribunal hears the appeal on 12 September.

## Coverage

- economictimes.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/visit/us-visa-wait-times-indians-face-up-to-12-month-wait-for-visitor-slots-work-visas-up-to-5-5-months/articleshow/134477635.cms>
  Straight data report with no commentary or trend analysis
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/what-do-the-latest-us-visa-wait-times-reveal-hyderabad-mumbai-near-a-year-for-b1/b2-appointments-delhi-at-10-months/articleshow/134510034.cms>
  Data report plus month-over-month comparison, no editorial slant

Tags: Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, US Department of State
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