Massive Delays for US Visa Applicants in India
If you are an Indian citizen planning a business trip or a holiday to the United States, prepare for a long and frustrating wait. Applicants across major metros are facing unprecedented delays in securing appointment slots for B1/B2 visas, with waiting periods stretching from several months to almost a year.
New Rule Ends Third-Country Shortcut, Worsens Backlog
A significant factor contributing to the current crisis is a recent rule change by US authorities. Non-immigrant visa applicants must now apply in their country of citizenship or legal residence, effectively ending the popular practice of seeking faster appointments in other nations. This has shut down a key escape route for many.
"This change has led to longer processing times for applicants who previously could apply in a third country to bypass long wait times at home," explained Sahas Y of Way2Abroad Consulting. "Applicants used to travel to countries like Singapore, Thailand, Germany, and Brazil to bypass backlogs."
Metro-Specific Wait Times Reveal Alarming Disparities
The situation is particularly dire in India's metropolitan hubs. While Hyderabad has an earliest available appointment in about five months, the scenario is far worse in other cities.
Mumbai and Delhi are the worst hit, with average wait times of nine-and-a-half and ten months respectively. Chennai and Kolkata are also experiencing prolonged waiting periods of up to five months, leaving countless travel plans in disarray.
Meju Mehmud, a homemaker from Hyderabad, shared her distress: "I was hoping to travel to the US for my nephew’s wedding in December, but the earliest date I’m getting is next March. It’s heartbreaking. We’ve planned the trip for months, and now everything’s up in the air."
Business and Personal Travel Suffers Alike
For entrepreneurs and business professionals, these delays translate into tangible financial losses and operational hurdles. Amar Reddy, an entrepreneur, voiced a common frustration: "I had multiple conferences lined up this year. We don’t know how we will go about it since most of the staff is still in India. What’s frustrating is the lack of clarity. You keep checking the website, but it’s like a game of chance."
While limited priority slots are reserved for students and emergency travellers, general applicants hoping to visit family, attend weddings, or simply explore travel opportunities feel completely stranded. The growing backlog is forcing many to postpone or cancel their US trips altogether.
Industry experts point to operational constraints as a key issue. Faheem Sheikh, chairman of the Travel Agents Federation of India (AP and Telangana), noted, "From what I know, the US consulate in Hyderabad has 52 counters, but not all are active, leading to prolonged waiting times." His advice to applicants is clear: "It is always advisable, especially now when the scrutiny has also increased, to apply at least six months before to avoid delays."
With a federal limit on international admissions reducing application processing capacity, the competition for Indians has intensified. The collective message for prospective travellers is one of caution and advanced planning, as there appears to be no immediate solution to the mounting visa backlog.
