Immigration News - Employment-based visas, Global mobility, Student visas, United States United States | State Department reports latest global visa wait times Share this article LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) May 2, 2025 The State Department has updated global visa wait times. The update now includes additional information on the average time nonimmigrant visa applicants waited for an interview in the previous month. The Department also continues to provide the estimated wait time until the next available interview appointment for visitor visas. Although visa wait time information is scheduled to be updated monthly, the average wait times reported do not guarantee a visa applicant will get an appointment within a specific time. U.S. embassies and consulates regularly release additional appointment slots. Applicants who want an earlier appointment slot after initially scheduling their interview should check back frequently and move their appointment to another available slot if available. Excerpted below are the global visa wait times as of April 25, 2025, of some the city/posts that historically have the most visa issuances: City/Post Interview required B-1/B-2 visas Average wait times Interview required B-1/B-2 visas Next available appointment Interview required F, M, J visas Next available appointment Interview required Petition-based H, L, O, P, Q visas Next available appointment Beijing N/A 1.5 months 0 months 0 months Chennai (Madras) 11.5 months 13.5 months 1.5 months 2 months Ciudad Juarez 6 months 6.5 months 1 month 1 month Guatemala City 8 months 12 months 0 months 0.5 months Hermosillo 10.5 months 6 months 0.5 months 0 months Ho Chi Minh City N/A 0.5 months 0.5 months 0 months Hong Kong N/A 0.5 months 0 months 0 months Hyderabad 7.5 months 7.5 months 2 months 2.5 months Mexico City 9.5 months 10.5 months 1 month 3.5 months New Delhi 9 months 9 months 2 months N/A Shanghai N/A 3 months 1 month 1 month Additional Information: More details on the different visa categories referenced in the table can be found here. Applicants are reminded that post-specific instructions are available on the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate where the applicant schedules their interview. Links to U.S. embassies and consulates can be found here. Applicants should be aware there may be limitations on how many times they can reschedule an appointment. Calendar access for a specific post may not be accessible until the application has been submitted and the required fee has been paid. (The fee is typically non-transferable across countries.) Embassies and consulates may waive the in-person interview requirement for eligible applicants. Wait times for these appointments are not reflected in the visa wait time tables. Please check the individual U.S. embassy or consulate website to find out if a waiver of the in-person interview is available. This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group. Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
Immigration News United States | State Department finalizes permanent visa bond program for certain B-1/B-2 applicants The Department of State issued a final rule establishing a permanent Visa Bond Program for certain B-1/B-2 visitor visa applicants… August 3, 2026 Read More
Immigration News United States | USCIS posts update on TPS designations for Ethiopia, South Sudan and Yemen U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published updates on the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for… July 31, 2026 Read More
Immigration News United States | USCIS posts July 29 update on Form I-9 guidance for Somalia TPS designation U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published an update on the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for… July 30, 2026 Read More
Immigration News United States | State Department proposes new J-1 exchange visitor termination and reinstatement rules The U.S. Department of State published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, proposing several updates to the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program… July 30, 2026 Read More