India Faces Record US Visa Wait Times Amid 2025 Policy Changes

(UNITED STATES) Indian citizens are facing some of the longest US visa wait times anywhere, and new rules taking effect in 2025 are making the process tougher. The US Department of State confirmed on September 6, 2025, that all nonimmigrant applicants must now book their interview in their country of citizenship or legal residency. For Indian citizens, that ends the practice of applying for B1/B2 appointments in third countries to find faster dates. The shift follows years of heavy demand, pandemic backlogs, and a policy push focused on tighter vetting.

The latest posted US visa wait times in India show a mixed but still slow picture as of September 2025. For B1/B2 interviews, Hyderabad and Mumbai are at about 3.5 months, New Delhi at 4.5 months, Kolkata at 5 months, and Chennai at 9 months. These figures matter for both tourists and business travelers who had come to rely on flexibility when planning US trips. The new policy changes shrink that flexibility, and for many applicants the path now runs only through India.

VisaVerge.com reports that the updated rules have hit frequent travelers and first-time applicants differently. Seasoned business travelers who once booked a quick slot in a neighboring country now must plan months ahead in India. First-time tourists used to long waits now have fewer workarounds. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the trend points to a more predictable—but slower—pipeline, especially for high-demand cities like Chennai.

Centralization and interview waiver changes

The Department of State has also narrowed interview waiver processing for B1/B2 renewals. Since March 2024, interview waiver appointments have been consolidated in New Delhi. Applicants may still drop off documents at multiple centers, but actual waiver processing now runs mostly through the capital.

This centralization was intended to speed paperwork and reduce errors, but it also:

• Adds travel time and cost for applicants living far from New Delhi.
• Concentrates processing resources in one location, which can create bottlenecks.

Applicants typically see waiver processing take up to three weeks from document drop-off to passport return, assuming no errors on submitted forms.

Country-of-application rule and exceptions

Under the new country-of-application rule, Indians who need urgent US travel can no longer seek expedited interviews in third countries just because a slot is available there. The policy allows exceptions mainly where the US does not run routine nonimmigrant operations in the applicant’s country, which does not apply to India.

US officials argue the change supports security and fairness by keeping each case within systems tied to a person’s main country of life and records.

Rescheduling and no-show rules

The appointment system has stiffened in other ways:

• Starting January 1, 2025, applicants can reschedule only once.
• If they miss the second date or try to reschedule again, they must repay the visa fee to book a new slot.

This rule aims to reduce no-shows and free appointments for others. It also means applicants should avoid picking a date they cannot keep. For families and companies, this is a planning issue as much as a policy change.

Expanded security screening for students and exchange visitors

Security screening has expanded for students and exchange visitors as well. As of June 30, 2025, all F, M, and J visa applicants must set social media accounts to public so officers can run identity and safety checks. While US officials frame this as a targeted step, Indian students and researchers say it adds pressure and privacy worries at a time when demand for American study remains strong.

Policy changes overview

• Interviews must be in the country of citizenship or legal residency (effective 2025). For Indian citizens, this means interviews in India. The rule supersedes previous guidance that let many applicants use third countries to reduce wait times.
• B1/B2 interview waiver appointments consolidated in New Delhi (since March 2024). Document drop-off remains available in several cities, but most waiver processing occurs in the capital, adding travel for many applicants.
• Rescheduling limit in place (effective January 1, 2025). Applicants can reschedule once; a second reschedule or a missed second appointment requires a new fee payment.
• Expanded screening for F/M/J applicants (effective June 30, 2025). Social media profiles must be public to allow identity and safety checks by consular teams.

How to apply — steps and tips

The steps for Indian citizens remain familiar, but with less room for error:

1. Complete the DS-160 nonimmigrant application. Ensure data is complete and consistent across passport, travel plan, and prior visa history.
2. Schedule an interview in India after filing the DS-160.
3. If eligible for a B1/B2 interview waiver renewal, submit documents through a Visa Application Center or document drop-off site, then await processing in New Delhi.
4. For most other travelers (including children under 14 and adults over 79), expect in-person interviews.

The official DS-160 form is available here: DS-160 online nonimmigrant visa application.

Practical tips to avoid delays:

• Double-check spelling, prior visa numbers, and dates on the DS-160.
• Apply well ahead of travel to get into the queue.
• Keep travel dates flexible since rescheduling is limited.
• If eligible for a renewal waiver within 12 months of expiry, plan for document logistics to/from New Delhi.

Impact on applicants and industry

For tourists and families:
– Families planning US trips tied to school holidays or weddings need to book much earlier.
– If a visit depends on a fixed event, current wait times add risk that the visa won’t be ready in time.
– Some families are choosing alternative destinations with easier visitor policies.

For business travelers and exporters:
– Sales meetings, conferences, and site visits often come up with short notice; longer queues mean many executives will miss last-minute travel.
– Startups and mid-size exporters that rely on US trade shows are particularly vulnerable when shows have fixed dates.
– Larger firms can sometimes absorb delays; smaller firms often cannot.
– Business groups are urging US consulates to add staffing and weekend shifts, but there is no sign of a short-term surge in capacity.

Human and family impacts:
– Parents visiting children in the US for graduations or births must plan much earlier.
– Expedited requests remain tightly controlled; without third-country options many families simply must wait.

City-by-city waits (September 2025 snapshot)

Demand and staffing drive these numbers. If demand rises faster than consular capacity, waits could lengthen further—particularly in Chennai.

Risk management and consistency

Because a second reschedule triggers a new fee, applicants should avoid booking an interview date that clashes with work or family obligations. It’s also wise to:

• Keep all social media and identity details consistent across platforms (especially for student and exchange categories).
• Verify DS-160 entries carefully to avoid processing delays.

Errors on the DS-160 can slow timelines; consular staff in India continue to process large volumes, and interview waiver cases typically take up to three weeks from drop-off to passport return when forms are accurate.

“Plan early and expect tighter rules.” — US officials emphasize security and fairness; Indian travelers and companies describe real-world costs: missed meetings, delayed visits, and added travel.

Stakeholder reactions and outlook

• US officials cite national security and process integrity as reasons for the changes.
• Indian travelers and companies highlight added costs: missed business opportunities, delayed personal visits, and extra travel for waiver processing.
• Business associations in India are pressing for more appointment slots and longer hours, but as of September 2025 there is no indication the State Department will relax the country-of-application rule or broaden interview waivers.

These policy changes mark a clear break from the pandemic era, when third-country scheduling became a lifeline as India’s waits stretched to extreme levels. With that path closed, Indian citizens must work within India’s queues.

Practical summary — what applicants should do now

• Apply early.
• Prepare clean, consistent paperwork (DS-160, passport, prior visa numbers).
• Plan for one reschedule at most; a second missed/reschedule requires a new fee.
• Expect an in-person interview unless you qualify for a renewal waiver processed in New Delhi.
• Track posted wait times and plan logistics if you must travel within India for appointments or waiver drop-offs.

According to VisaVerge.com, those measures give Indian applicants the best chance of navigating the new, tighter system while minimizing missed opportunities.