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.

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