The U.S. Department of State has published its global visa appointment wait times, last updated on December 12, 2025 — the most recent data currently available on the official State Department website. As of February 25, 2026, the January/February 2026 monthly update has not yet been published by the State Department. This article will be refreshed as soon as the next update is released. The data below reflects the latest officially available figures for nonimmigrant visa applicants, covering B1/B2 visitor visas, F/M/J student and exchange visas, H/L/O/P/Q petition-based employment visas, and C/D/C1-D crew and transit visas. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what the most current data shows.
| City/Post | B1/B2 Visitor Visa | Other Visa Categories | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Wait | Next Available | Student (F,M,J) | Work (H,L,O,P,Q) | Crew (C,D) | |
| Abidjan | 4 months | 5.5 months | 2 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Abu Dhabi | < 0.5 months | 16.5 months | < 0.5 months | NA | < 0.5 months |
| Abuja | 9.5 months | 2 months | 3 months | 1.5 months | 1.5 months |
| Accra | 6.5 months | 5.5 months | 1 month | 3 months | < 0.5 months |
| Addis Ababa | NA | < 0.5 months | 1 month | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Algiers | 6 months | 7 months | 4 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Amsterdam | NA | 2 months | 1 month | 1 month | 1 month |
| Ankara | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | NA |
| Bangkok | NA | 1.5 months | 1.5 months | 2 months | 1 month |
| Beijing | NA | 1 month | 1 month | 1 month | < 0.5 months |
| Bogota | 9 months | 14.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Calgary | 5.5 months | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Chennai | 7 months | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Ciudad Juarez | 4 months | 15.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Dhaka | 7.5 months | 1 month | 1 month | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Dubai | 1 month | 12.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | NA |
| Frankfurt | NA | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Guadalajara | 7 months | 11.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Guatemala City | 7 months | 2 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | NA |
| Guayaquil | 4 months | 4.5 months | 1.5 months | 1.5 months | 1.5 months |
| Hong Kong | NA | < 0.5 months | NA | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Hyderabad | 3.5 months | 4 months | 2 months | 2.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Istanbul | 3 months | 1 month | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Jakarta | NA | 1 month | 1 month | 1 month | 1 month |
| Kampala | 7 months | 2 months | 1.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Lagos | 14 months | 2 months | < 0.5 months | 1 month | 1 month |
| Lima | 8 months | 8 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| London | NA | 1 month | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Melbourne | 4 months | 8 months | 3.5 months | 1 month | < 0.5 months |
| Mexico City | 7 months | 10 months | NA | 1 month | 1 month |
| Monterrey | 9 months | 12.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Mumbai | 7 months | 7 months | 3 months | 1 month | 1 month |
| New Delhi | 2.5 months | 9 months | 1 month | NA | < 0.5 months |
| Ottawa | 9 months | 11.5 months | 2 months | 4.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Paris | 4 months | 4 months | < 0.5 months | 1 month | 2 months |
| Quebec | NA | 11.5 months | 2 months | 4.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Quito | 6 months | 4 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Rangoon | NA | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| San Jose | 7.5 months | 10.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Santo Domingo | 6.5 months | 14.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Sydney | 4 months | 6 months | 2.5 months | 2.5 months | 2.5 months |
| Tegucigalpa | 11.5 months | 5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Tijuana | 4.5 months | 2.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Tokyo | NA | 2.5 months | 1 month | 1 month | 1.5 months |
| Toronto | 15.5 months | 16 months | 1 month | 1.5 months | 1 month |
| Vancouver | 7.5 months | 8 months | 2.5 months | 5.5 months | 2 months |
Color Guide:
Long Wait: 10+ months | Medium Wait: 2-9 months | Short Wait: 0-1.5 months | NA: Not Available
Source: US Department of State | Most recent official update: December 12, 2025 | February 2026 update not yet published as of Feb 25, 2026
📅 What’s New in the December 2025 Update?
- Toronto now holds the longest B1/B2 average wait globally at 15.5 months average and 16 months for the next available appointment — surpassing Canada’s other posts.
- Major improvements seen across several posts: Rangoon (Myanmar) dropped from 10+ months to under 0.5 months for all categories. Ankara (Turkey) now shows under 0.5 months, down from 17 months in April 2025.
- Interview Waiver window narrowed: Starting February 18, 2025, the eligibility window for interview waivers shrunk from 48 months to just 12 months since prior visa expiry. This has increased pressure on appointment demand globally.
- Embassies release new appointments regularly, so checking for earlier slots is recommended even after booking.
- Visa suspension policy (effective January 1, 2026): A nationwide suspension of visa issuance for certain countries has taken effect. Nationals of some countries may now face a full or partial suspension of new visa issuance, including both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas.
🌍 Global B1/B2 Visitor Visa Trends
Longest Wait Times (Next Available Appointment)
- Toronto, Canada: 16 months (also highest average wait at 15.5 months)
- Abu Dhabi, UAE: 16.5 months
- Ciudad Juarez, Mexico: 15.5 months
- Bogota, Colombia: 14.5 months
- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: 14.5 months
- Dubai, UAE: 12.5 months
- Monterrey, Mexico: 12.5 months
Shortest Wait Times (Next Available Appointment)
- Most European posts like Berlin, Frankfurt, Rome, Vienna, Oslo, Paris, and Luxembourg: under 0.5 to 1 month
- Singapore, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Ankara, Riyadh, and Kuwait: under 0.5 months
🎓 F, M, and J Visa Appointment Waits
- Widely Available Globally: Most locations show under 0.5 to 2 months of wait.
- Notable Delays:
- Casablanca, Morocco: 4.5 months
- Algiers, Algeria: 4 months
- Sydney, Australia: 2.5 months
- Mumbai & New Delhi, India: 3 months and 1 month respectively
- Ottawa & Quebec, Canada: 2 months each
🚀 Petition-Based Work Visas (H, L, O, P, Q)
- Generally Available within 1-2 months in most countries.
- Longer Delays in:
- Vancouver, Canada: 5.5 months
- Ottawa & Quebec, Canada: 4.5 months each
- Shanghai, China: 3.5 months
- Hyderabad, India: 2.5 months
🌪️ Crew and Transit Visas (C, D, C1/D)
- Fast Processing Worldwide: Most countries offer appointments within 0 to 1.5 months.
- Exceptions:
- Halifax, Canada: 9.5 months
- Lilongwe, Malawi: 4.5 months
- Sydney, Australia: 2.5 months
🇮🇳 India-Specific Analysis
| City | B1/B2 Avg Wait | B1/B2 Next Appt | F/M/J Wait | H/L/O/P/Q Wait | Crew Wait |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai | 7 months | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Hyderabad | 3.5 months | 4 months | 2 months | 2.5 months | < 0.5 months |
| Kolkata | 2 months | 2.5 months | 2 months | NA | NA |
| Mumbai | 7 months | 7 months | 3 months | 1 month | 1 month |
| New Delhi | 2.5 months | 9 months | 1 month | NA | < 0.5 months |
Takeaway: Indian B1/B2 average wait times have improved significantly from April 2025, with Chennai dropping from 11.5 months to 7 months and New Delhi from 9 months to 2.5 months. However, next available appointment projections remain long in some posts, such as New Delhi at 9 months. Student and work visa availability is generally good across Indian posts. Note that Chennai is currently showing NA for next available appointments across all categories — applicants should check back regularly for new slot openings.
🌐 General Insights & Tips
- Don’t rely solely on posted wait times. New slots can open up suddenly, and checking the scheduling system regularly can secure an earlier appointment.
- Interview waiver eligibility has been tightened. As of February 18, 2025, only applicants whose previous US visa expired within 12 months (not 48 months) qualify for a waiver. Check the specific embassy website for eligibility.
- Faster visa processing is available in less congested regions. For instance, Singapore, Manila, Frankfurt, and most European cities offer B1/B2 appointments within days to weeks.
- Canadian posts continue to face extreme delays, particularly Toronto (16 months) and Ottawa (11.5 months), driven by high volume from Indian and international applicants.
- Be aware of the new visa suspension policy effective January 1, 2026, which places restrictions on visa issuance for nationals of certain countries. Check the State Department’s current policy before applying.
🔧 How Are Wait Times Calculated?
- Average Wait Time: Days from fee payment to interview date in the last month. Shown only for B1/B2 visas where the next available appointment is more than 3 months away.
- Next Available Appointment: Projection based on current slot availability.
- Time is counted in 30-day months or 15-day half months, including weekends and holidays.
🚫 What This Data Doesn’t Show
- Interview waivers (drop-box) eligibility timelines.
- Administrative processing delays post-interview.
- Impact of the January 2026 visa suspension policy on specific nationalities.
- Passport return or courier mailing times after visa issuance.
🔍 Final Thoughts
The December 2025 update shows a mixed picture. While many posts — especially in Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East — have dramatically improved since earlier in 2025, North American posts like Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec, and Ciudad Juarez continue to face some of the world’s longest delays. The tightening of interview waiver rules and the new January 2026 visa suspension policy add further complexity for applicants. Proactive checking, understanding waiver eligibility, and being flexible about consulate location remain the best strategies for navigating U.S. visa appointment delays.
Data Source: U.S. Department of State — Last official update: December 12, 2025. The January/February 2026 State Department update has not yet been published as of February 25, 2026. This article will be updated as soon as new data becomes available. Always verify current wait times directly at travel.state.gov.
