For those in India planning a trip to the United States, be prepared for a potentially lengthy wait to secure a visa appointment. The U.S. Department of State has implemented a new rule requiring applicants to schedule visa interviews in their country of citizenship or legal residence, eliminating the option to seek quicker appointments abroad. This change, coupled with existing backlogs, could significantly impact travel plans.
Visa Wait Times in India
As of September 2025, wait times for U.S. visa appointments in India remain extended. The average wait time for a B1/B2 (tourism/business) visa appointment is roughly three and a half months in Hyderabad and Mumbai. In Delhi, the wait extends to about four and a half months, five months in Kolkata, and potentially up to nine months in Chennai. These delays have been a persistent problem, and the new rule restricting applicants to their home country for interviews removes a workaround that many travelers previously utilized.
Impact of the New Rule
The U.S. Department of State's decision to restrict visa interviews to an applicant's country of origin aims to streamline the process but may create challenges for travelers seeking short-notice appointments. Previously, during the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals facing long wait times in India sometimes booked appointments at U.S. embassies in other countries. With this option now unavailable, those needing to travel to the U.S. for business, tourism, or studies must factor in potentially longer lead times and plan accordingly. This policy change might also cause some travelers to reconsider their destination and explore countries with more flexible visa procedures.
Trump Administration's Visa Policies
The longer visa wait times come amidst broader efforts by the Trump administration to tighten immigration policies. Proposed regulations aim to limit the duration of visas for international students (F visas), cultural exchange visitors (J visas), and members of the media (I visas). Under the proposed rule, student and exchange visa periods would be capped at four years. Journalist visas, which can currently last for several years, would be limited to 240 days, or just 90 days for Chinese nationals. Those affected would be able to apply for extensions.
Furthermore, the administration is considering changes to the H-1B visa program, potentially prioritizing higher-wage applicants in the lottery and increasing scrutiny of third-party placements. These changes, slated for December 2025, could affect staffing firms and Indian professionals, who are among the largest beneficiaries of the H-1B program.
The Trump administration has also proposed changes that would affect international students. One such rule would limit the length of time certain visa holders, including foreign students are allowed to stay in the United States. The rule would set authorized admission and extension periods for foreign students and exchange visitors to a maximum of four years.
Strategies for Expediting Visa Appointments
Despite the challenges, there are steps applicants can take to potentially expedite their visa appointments:
The U.S. Embassy & Consulate in India has migrated to a new customer service platform. Applicants may now direct any visa-related questions to support-india@usvisascheduling.com.
