Dive Right Into
The U.S. Department of State has released its monthly update on global visa appointment wait times as of April 25, 2025. This report provides valuable insights for nonimmigrant visa applicants, particularly those applying for 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 latest 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 | 5.5 months | 5.5 months | 2 months | 1 month | 0.5 months |
| Abu Dhabi | 6 months | 19 months | 4 months | 2 months | NA |
| Abuja | 14 months | 7 months | 12 months | 1.5 months | 1.5 months |
| Accra | 7 months | 7 months | 8 months | 1.5 months | 1 month |
| Addis Ababa | 4 months | 4 months | 3 months | 3 months | 2 months |
| Algiers | 5 months | 4 months | 0 months | 0 months | 0 months |
| Amsterdam | 6.5 months | 6.5 months | 4 months | 4 months | 4 months |
| Ankara | 5 months | 17 months | 1 month | 1 month | NA |
| Bangkok | NA | 0 months | 0 months | 0 months | 0 months |
| Beijing | NA | 1.5 months | 0 months | 0 months | 0 months |
| Bogota | 18 months | 13 months | 1 month | 1 month | 2 months |
| Calgary | 3.5 months | 25 months | 2 months | 2 months | 0 months |
| Chennai | 11.5 months | 13.5 months | 1.5 months | 2 months | 1.5 months |
| Ciudad Juarez | 6 months | 6.5 months | 1 month | 1 month | 1.5 months |
| Dhaka | 8.5 months | 12 months | 8.5 months | 0 months | 0 months |
| Dubai | 7.5 months | 12 months | 2.5 months | 1 month | 0 months |
| Frankfurt | NA | 0 months | 0 months | 0 months | 0 months |
| Guadalajara | 11 months | 11 months | 1 month | 0.5 months | 1.5 months |
| Guatemala City | 8 months | 12 months | 0 months | 0.5 months | 0 months |
| Guayaquil | 8 months | 8 months | 1.5 months | 1 month | 7 months |
| Hong Kong | NA | 0.5 months | 0 months | 0 months | 0 months |
| Hyderabad | 7.5 months | 7.5 months | 2 months | 2.5 months | NA |
| Istanbul | 6 months | 9.5 months | 2.5 months | 3.5 months | 2.5 months |
| Jakarta | NA | 0.5 months | 0 months | 0 months | 0.5 months |
| Kampala | 8 months | 8.5 months | 3 months | 3 months | 8.5 months |
| Lagos | 12 months | 12 months | 9 months | 1 month | 1 month |
| Lima | 8 months | 8.5 months | 0.5 months | 1 month | 0.5 months |
| London | NA | 3 months | 0 months | 0 months | 0 months |
| Mexico City | 9.5 months | 10.5 months | 1 month | 3.5 months | 1 month |
| Mumbai | 7.5 months | 9.5 months | 3 months | NA | 2 months |
| New Delhi | 9 months | 9 months | 2 months | NA | 2.5 months |
| Paris | 4.5 months | 5 months | 1 month | 1.5 months | 1.5 months |
| Quebec | 2 months | 23 months | 0 months | 0 months | 0.5 months |
| Quito | 11 months | 12 months | 0.5 months | 1 month | 1 month |
| Rangoon | 10 months | 10 months | 10.5 months | 10.5 months | 10.5 months |
| San Jose | 9.5 months | 10 months | 1 month | 0.5 months | 2 months |
| Santo Domingo | 5 months | 7 months | 1 month | 1 month | 1 month |
| Sydney | 3 months | 7 months | 1 month | 1 month | 1 month |
| Tegucigalpa | 13.5 months | 14 months | 1 month | 0 months | 0.5 months |
| Tijuana | 13 months | 6.5 months | 0.5 months | 1 month | 0.5 months |
| Tokyo | NA | 1 month | 0.5 months | 0.5 months | 0 months |
| Toronto | 8 months | 8 months | 1.5 months | 2 months | 1 month |
| Vancouver | 8.5 months | 9 months | 2 months | 2 months | 1 month |
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, Updated April 25, 2025
📅 What’s New in the April 2025 Update?
- New Format Introduced: Starting this month, wait times include both:
- Next available appointment (forward-looking estimate)
- Average wait time from previous month (historical data)
- Embassies release new appointments regularly, so checking for earlier slots is recommended even after booking.
- Interview waivers may be available for certain applicants. These are not reflected in the wait time data.
🌍 Global B1/B2 Visitor Visa Trends
Longest Wait Times (Next Available Appointment)
- Calgary, Canada: 25 months
- Quebec City, Canada: 23 months
- Abu Dhabi, UAE: 19 months
- Bogota, Colombia: 13 months
- Chennai, India: 13.5 months
- Dubai, UAE: 12 months
Shortest Wait Times (Next Available Appointment)
- Most European posts like Berlin, Rome, Vienna, Oslo, and Luxembourg: 0 to 1 month
- Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Doha: 0 months
🎓 F, M, and J Visa Appointment Waits
- Widely Available Globally: Many locations show 0 to 2 months of wait.
- Notable Delays:
- Dhaka, Bangladesh: 8.5 months
- Kampala, Uganda: 3 months
- Mumbai & New Delhi, India: 2-3 months
🚀 Petition-Based Work Visas (H, L, O, P, Q)
- Generally Available within 1-2 months in most countries.
- Longer Delays in:
- Istanbul, Turkey: 3.5 months
- Mexico City: 3.5 months
- Shanghai: 1 month
🌪️ Crew and Transit Visas (C, D, C1/D)
- Fast Processing Worldwide: Most countries offer appointments within 0 to 1 month.
- Exceptions:
- Guayaquil, Ecuador: 7 months
- Freetown, Sierra Leone: 5 months
- Casablanca, Morocco: 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 | 11.5 months | 13.5 months | 1.5 months | 2 months | 1.5 months |
| Hyderabad | 7.5 months | 7.5 months | 2 months | 2.5 months | NA |
| Kolkata | 8 months | 8 months | 2 months | NA | NA |
| Mumbai | 7.5 months | 9.5 months | 3 months | NA | 2 months |
| New Delhi | 9 months | 9 months | 2 months | NA | 2.5 months |
Takeaway: While India continues to experience long B1/B2 wait times, appointment availability for students and workers is relatively stable.
🌐 General Insights & Tips
- Don’t rely solely on posted wait times. New slots can open up suddenly.
- Always check for interview waivers on the embassy’s website.
- Faster visa processing is available in less congested regions. For instance, Bangkok, Singapore, and many European cities offer B1/B2 appointments within weeks.
- Canadian posts like Calgary and Quebec face extreme delays, likely due to volume from Indian and international students/workers.
🔧 How Are Wait Times Calculated?
- Average Wait Time: Days from fee payment to interview date in the last month.
- 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.
- Administrative processing delays post-interview.
- Drop box eligibility timelines.
🔍 Final Thoughts
While delays persist, especially for tourist visas, the State Department’s transparency and monthly updates help applicants plan better. Proactive checking, understanding waiver eligibility, and being flexible in location choice can make a significant difference in the U.S. visa process.
Last Updated: April 25, 2025
