United States visa

United States | Global visa wait times as of Sept. 17

The State Department updated global visa wait times on Sept. 17, 2026.

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 slot if available.

September 2026 global visa wait times chart highlights

The following chart highlights selected findings from the latest global visa wait-time data for certain high-volume consular posts and can be compared with highlights from the August global visa wait time report:

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
Abuja NA NA NA NA
Addis Ababa 3.5 months 3 months 2 months 2.5 months
Beijing NA 4.5 months 5.5 months 6 months
Bogota 8.5 months 7 months < 0.5 months < 0.5 months
Chennai (Madras) 7 months 7.5 months < 0.5 months 1.5 months
Ciudad Juarez 5.5 months 4.5 months 1 month 1 month
Guangzhou 1.5 months 2 months 2.5 months 2.5 months
Hermosillo NA 1.5 months < 0.5 months < 0.5 months
Ho Chi Minh City NA < 0.5 months < 0.5 months < 0.5 months
Hyderabad 11.5 months 12 months 1.5 months 5.5 months
Manila NA < 0.5 months 1 month < 0.5 months
Mexico City 6.5 months 5 months < 0.5 months 1 month
Mumbai (Bombay) 11 months 11.5 months 2.5 months 1.5 months
New Delhi 7.5 months 10 months 2 months 3 months
Santo Domingo 5.5 months 9 months < 0.5 months < 0.5 months
Seoul NA < 0.5 months < 0.5 months < 0.5 months
Shanghai NA 3.5 months 1 month 3.5 months

Additional Information: The “NA” indicates that data is not available for that specific category or location possibly due to temporary pauses or suspensions at that post. More information on the different visa categories referenced in the table can be found here. Individuals can also find general information on visa appointment wait times on travel.state.gov. Wait times are calculated in months in 30-day increments and half-months in 15-day increments. Average wait times are provided for B-1/B-2 visas only in cases where the next available appointment is more than three months away.

The State Department launched the nonimmigrant visa expedited appointment pilot program on July 21, 2026, allowing eligible B-1/B-2 visa applicants applying at the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico to pay an additional fee for an expedited interview appointment. On Aug. 18, the pilot program was launched in five additional U.S. embassies and consulates, including Mission Canada (embassy and all consulates), Embassy Bogota, Embassy Guatemala City, Embassy San Jose and Embassy Tegucigalpa. The pilot program is in place through Dec. 1, 2026.

Post-specific instructions are available on the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate where the applicant schedules their interview. 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 timetables. Please check the individual U.S. embassy or consulate website to find out if a waiver of the in-person interview is available. Interview waiver eligibility was last updated on Sept. 18, 2025, and became effective Oct. 1, 2025.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

Copyright © 2026 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.

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