Check US visa appointment wait time for India cities, Canada, UAE, Pakistan. Current wait times Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Toronto, Dubai updated October 2025.
Getting a visa appointment is harder than ever. The numbers tell a tough story.US visa appointment wait time has become the single biggest time variability obstacle for people trying to visit America. Whether you're going for tourism, business, or family visits, the wait can stretch from weeks to well over a year. The situation changed dramatically in 2025. New policies made it harder to reschedule appointments. Interview waivers got restricted. Demand kept climbing while embassy capacity struggled to keep up.But here's what matters most. Understanding where you apply makes all the difference. Some cities move fast while others aren’t. Others crawl along. Knowing the current landscape helps you plan smarter.
Struggling with long appointment wait times? Book a consultation with Beyond Border and we'll help you find the fastest pathway to your US visa.
India faces some of the longest delays anywhere in the world right now.US visa appointment wait times in India vary dramatically depending on which consulate you choose. The differences can add or subtract months from your timeline. Chennai currently shows the longest wait at 14 months for B1/B2 tourist and business visas.US visa appointment wait time Mumbai runs approximately 9.5 months as of October 2025. This makes Mumbai the second slowest city in India for tourist visa appointments.US visa appointment Delhi wait time sits around 8 months average. The capital processes slightly faster than Mumbai and Chennai, but still requires significant advance planning.Hyderabad shows about 7 months wait time. US visa appointment wait time Kolkata performs best among major Indian cities at roughly 6 months, though this still means booking half a year in advance.US visa appointment wait time Chennai at 14 months creates serious problems for applicants with time-sensitive travel. Many people miss weddings, business opportunities, or family emergencies because of these extreme delays.US visa appointment wait time in India also depends on visa category. Student visas (F/M/J) typically process faster at 1.5 to 3 months. Work visas see similar timelines. But tourist visas face the longest queues.One major change hit in March 2024. All B1/B2 interview waiver appointments were centralized in New Delhi.
Need help navigating India's complex visa appointment system? Beyond Border can guide you through the best city choice and timing strategy for your situation.
Canadian cities rank among the slowest processing posts globally.US visa appointment wait time Canada has reached alarming crisis levels in 2025. The delays stem from massive volumes of international students, workers, and immigrants using Canadian consulates.Toronto shows approximately 17.5 months for B1/B2 visitor visa appointments. That's nearly two years of waiting just to get your interview scheduled.Calgary performs even worse. US visa appointment wait time Calgary stretches to 24 months, making it one of the slowest posts anywhere in the world. Planning a trip? You need to start two years ahead.US visa appointment wait time Toronto at 17.5 months creates impossible situations for business travelers and people with urgent family matters. The system simply can't keep up with demand.Ottawa and Vancouver both hover around 9 to 10 months. These represent the "faster" options in Canada, though they still require nearly a year of advance planning.
The Middle East and South Asia show mixed results.US visa appointment wait time UAE differs significantly between the two main locations. Dubai currently shows about 284 days (approximately 9.5 months) for B1/B2 appointments.Abu Dhabi runs much longer at 433 days, which equals roughly 14 months. This makes Abu Dhabi one of the slowest posts in the Middle East region.US visa appointment wait time in Dubai at 284 days puts it in the middle range globally. Faster than India and Canada, but much slower than Southeast Asian options.US visa appointment wait time Pakistan has improved dramatically over the past year. Islamabad previously hit a crisis with 440 day waits in September 2023. The embassy took aggressive action to reduce backlogs.Current US visa appointment wait time Pakistan averages around 11 months (approximately 330 days) for tourist visas. Student visas process much faster at Islamabad and Karachi, often within 1 to 2 months.Pakistan's embassy now processes over 10,000 applications monthly. They introduced interview waivers for eligible renewal applicants and expanded capacity at both Islamabad and Karachi posts.
Considering applying in UAE or Pakistan but unsure about logistics? Beyond Border keeps you posted on embassy wait times to ensure full clarity on your end to end visa processes.can assess whether this strategy makes sense for your specific circumstances.
Several factors create these massive differences between locations.Staffing levels matter most. Consulates with more visa officers process applications faster. Budget constraints and hiring freezes limit how quickly embassies can expand capacity.Application volume drives delays. India sends millions of applicants to US consulates annually. Small Caribbean posts see only hundreds. The math is simple.Interview waiver policy changes in February 2025 forced more people into regular interview queues. Previously, visas expired within 48 months could renew without interviews. Now only 12 month expirations qualify. Rescheduling rules tightened in January 2025. One free reschedule, then you pay again. This reduced no shows but also trapped people in bad appointment slots.Administrative processing after interviews adds unpredictable delays. Security checks, document verification, and background reviews can extend timelines by weeks or months beyond the interview date itself.
You're not completely powerless in this situation. Try these proven tactics.
Booking the appointment is just the beginning. Prepare properly for what comes next.Gather all required documents immediately. Passport, DS 160 confirmation, fee receipt, appointment letter, and supporting documents specific to your visa type. Don't assume you can reschedule easily. Remember the one free reschedule policy. Choose your date carefully.Arrive early on interview day. Late arrivals often get turned away and must reschedule, wasting months of waiting.Expect 3 to 7 business days for routine administrative processing after your interview. Some cases take weeks or even months if additional security checks are required.
Always check official sources for the most accurate data.
1.What is the current US visa appointment wait time in India?
Wait times vary by city with Chennai at 14 months, Mumbai at 9.5 months, Delhi at 8 months, Hyderabad at 7 months, and Kolkata at 6 months for B1/B2 tourist visas as of October 2025.
2.How long is the US visa appointment wait time in Canada?
Canadian cities show extreme delays with Calgary at 24 months, Toronto at 17.5 months, and Ottawa and Vancouver at approximately 9 to 10 months for visitor visa appointments.
3.What is the US visa appointment wait time in UAE?
Dubai shows approximately 284 days (9.5 months) while Abu Dhabi has around 433 days (14 months) for B1/B2 visa interview appointments based on current State Department data.
4.Can I apply for a US visa appointment in a different city to get faster processing?
Yes, you can apply at any US consulate globally, and many applicants choose cities with shorter wait times though you should be prepared to explain this choice during your interview.
