(NEW DELHI, INDIA) — Student visa processing in India remains slower than last year, with reported first-time F-1 interview waits in Delhi and Mumbai running about 150 to 300 days as of July 2026, even as the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi says cases are being handled under established regulations.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi said on July 9, 2026 that the United States is “committed to processing visas in accordance with established regulations and guidelines” and that student visa applications are decided “on a case-by-case basis.” The embassy also directed applicants to official State Department and embassy webpages for current wait times and scheduling information.

The backlog lands as Indian student demand shows visible strain. Reports covering the first half of 2026 point to a 6.9% drop in Indian student enrollment, while nearly 60% of U.S. institutions reported fewer applications from India for the 2026 cycle. Preliminary figures also indicate that F-1 visa issuance to Indian applicants fell 62% early this year compared with the same period a year earlier.

Several policy shifts sit behind the delay. The State Department narrowed the interview waiver program effective September 2, 2025, pushing more students into in-person appointments. A proposed Department of Homeland Security change would also end Duration of Status for F-1 students and replace it with a fixed 4-year admission period. Students whose programs run longer would need to file an extension request with USCIS.

That proposed fixed-term system would move more student matters into the USCIS queue. In practice, an extension request would likely involve Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, plus biometrics if required under the final rule. USCIS processing times are estimates, not guarantees, and they vary by service center, case type, requests for evidence, interviews, and security checks. Current USCIS estimates are posted at USCIS processing times.

The visa environment also tightened after a broader fraud push. On July 8, 2026, Vice President JD Vance announced a Department of Labor investigation into H-1B fraud. The review is aimed at work visas, but it has contributed to heavier vetting across nonimmigrant categories, including students. That does not change the legal standard for an F-1 case, though it can lengthen screening and document review.

⏱️ Processing Time: USCIS estimates change by service center and form category. Check the official tool at USCIS processing times.

Indian students remain a large part of the U.S. higher education system, with more than 360,000 enrolled in 2024/25. Delays now hit at the worst point in the academic calendar. Many students have already paid deposits, signed housing contracts, or taken loans. A visa decision that arrives after the semester start can leave the student with immediate financial loss and no clean academic plan.

If the proposed end of Duration of Status takes effect, timing pressure would not stop at the consular stage. Graduate students and doctoral candidates often need more than four years to finish a program. A fixed admission period would force extension filings before the admit-until date expires. Missing that date could create unlawful presence problems that do not exist in the same way under the current D/S system.

Applicants dealing with USCIS should track every filing closely. After submission, use the receipt number in a USCIS online account at myUSCIS. Case status can also be checked there. If USCIS issues a Request for Evidence, respond by the deadline listed on the notice and send exactly what was requested. Late or incomplete responses often lead to denial.

⚠️ Common Mistake: Applicants often treat posted times as a promise. They are estimates only. Security checks, interview scheduling, and RFEs can add weeks or months.

Expedite requests through USCIS remain limited. They are generally reserved for severe financial loss, emergencies, humanitarian reasons, nonprofit interests, U.S. government interests, or clear USCIS error. A school start date alone does not guarantee expedite approval. If an extension filing becomes necessary, the request should include documentary proof, a copy of the receipt notice, and a concise explanation tied to USCIS expedite criteria.

Students weighing alternatives are already looking beyond the United States, with Germany and Canada drawing more interest. The immediate issue, though, is still timing. Check the embassy and consulate appointment system for openings, monitor USCIS accounts after any filing, and keep records of every fee receipt and notice. Download forms at USCIS forms, review fees at USCIS fees, and verify the correct filing address and form edition before mailing. Wrong fees and outdated editions can trigger rejection.

📋 Official Resources: Download forms at USCIS forms. Check processing times at USCIS processing times. Fees and processing times are subject to change; always verify current information at USCIS.