Kolkata Consulate Offers Shorter Visa Wait Times for U.S. Travel.
For those planning to visit the United States for vacation or business, the Kolkata consulate is the best choice for a faster visa process. Other U.S. consulates in India have wait times reaching up to 477 days.
In the past year, the U.S. has taken significant steps to address the long visa wait times, yet the situation remains challenging. Improvements have been made, as evidenced by the processing of 1.4 million visas for Indians in 2023, marking a record high. Additionally, visitor visa appointment wait times have been reduced by 75 percent. However, long wait times are still an issue.
Wait times for B1/B2 visas vary widely among U.S. consulates in India. The Kolkata consulate has the shortest wait time, at just 24 calendar days. In contrast, the Hyderabad consulate has a wait time of 407 days, while applicants in Delhi face a wait of 386 days. The Bombay consulate has a wait time of 422 days, and the Chennai consulate has the longest wait time, at 477 days.
The B1 visa allows individuals to travel to the U.S. for business, while the B2 visa is intended for tourists, visitors to friends and family, those seeking medical treatment, or participants in social events without payment. Typically, these visas are issued together as a B1/B2 visa, enabling holders to conduct both business and leisure activities during their stay in the U.S.
The wait time for a nonimmigrant visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate varies based on workload and staffing and can change from week to week. The information provided is an estimate and does not guarantee the availability of an appointment.
Current Visa Wait Times by Consulate:
Chennai: 477 calendar days
Hyderabad: 407 calendar days
Calcutta: 24 calendar days
Bombay: 422 calendar days
Delhi: 386 calendar days