The US Embassy in India has issued a stark warning to visa applicants: anyone who arrives at the embassy or consulate on the pre-scheduled interview day – after being notified of the new date – will be denied entry. The embassy announcement was shared via X’s official account.
“If you have received an email notifying you that your visa appointment has been rescheduled, Mission India looks forward to assisting you with your new appointment date,” the statement said. The message adds a stern warning: ignoring rescheduling and showing up on time will result in denial of entry. The move appears to be aimed at preventing confusion and overcrowding at consular offices.
Visa interview slots are known to be in high demand and applicants often face long waits. Recent reports show that waiting times for Indian applicants have started to decrease, which offers some relief – but makes getting the appointment right even more important.
US Visa: Appointment Waiting Times Across India
The latest data from the US State Department shows a noticeable shift in visa wait times at consulates in India. In Delhi, the time to secure the additional F, M and J visas available has been reduced dramatically – from about two months to about half a month. The capital has also seen significant improvements in wait times for B-1/B-2 interviews, which have decreased from 6.5 months in October to around 3.5 months now.
Chennai has also seen significant fluctuations. While the previous average wait time for a B-1/B-2 visa interview was close to five months, the latest update lists the category as “N/A.” At the same time, visa appointments with the required interview, which previously involved a five-month delay, are now being offered with an estimated three-month wait.
In the other categories, there are current estimates of the next meetings:
F, M, J visas: 0.5-2 months depending on the city
H, L, O, P, Q visas: approximately 1 month in New Delhi and Mumbai, 2 months in Hyderabad and not available in Kolkata
Data from Kolkata shows a mixed trend, with B-1/B-2 visa applicants having to wait about 4.5 months on average, with the next available slot expected in five months. For student and exchange visas (F, M, J), the deadline is around 2.5 months.
Mumbai continues to experience some of the longest delays. The average and other available dates for B-1/B-2 visas are 9.5 months, while the student and exchange categories are scheduled for approximately three months.
Current wait times in Hyderabad show availability of B-1/B-2 appointments in around five months, with F, M and J visas set at 2.5 months and employment-related categories (H, L, O, P, Q) at around two months.
