US Visa Appointment Availability in India: Finding Slots

Everything here comes from the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India and the official appointment service, ustraveldocs.com, as published on the official sources, checked on 2026-10-15. Visa types, fees and documents are covered in our US visa guide for Indians.

Which US posts in India can you book?

There are five: the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and the Consulates General in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. The Embassy's visa FAQ says anyone legally present in India may apply at any of them. If one city shows no dates that suit you, check the other four. Each post has its own Visa Application Center (VAC) for biometrics.

The state lists come from the Mission's consular-posts map, which is framed around services for US citizens. For visa interviews, the any-post rule in the visa FAQ is what counts.

When does the booking calendar open after you pay?

You can schedule only once your MRV fee payment is registered. The speed depends on how you pay:

The fee is $185 for B, C-1, D, F, I, J, M, T and TN/TD visas, and $205 for H, L, O, P, Q, R and CW visas. You pay in rupees at the consular exchange rate, which the Embassy set at INR 98 per USD from 25 May 2026. The payment is valid for 365 days from the receipt date. You must schedule within that period, but the interview or VAC appointment does not have to take place within it.

How do you check current waiting times?

Waits differ by post and change often. The official source is the State Department's wait-time tool on travel.state.gov, which lists each Indian post separately. We do not quote waiting times here: the tool could not be read for our latest check, and any number would date quickly.

What the official pages do say:

• Apply at least three months before your intended travel date (scheduling page). One FAQ answer says 6-8 weeks; the longer lead time is the safer plan.
• Do not buy tickets until the visa is issued.
• After the interview, visas typically take 7-10 working days; individual cases may take longer.
• Some applications go into administrative processing, which cannot be predicted in advance. Most is resolved within 180 days of the interview.

Why do you need two appointments?

Most applicants book two slots: biometrics at a VAC, then an in-person interview at the Embassy or a Consulate. The biometrics appointment must be at least 2 business days before the interview, so book both together and leave that gap.

The DS-160 confirmation page you bring must carry the same barcode you used to book the appointment. Also carry a passport valid at least 6 months beyond your stay, the MRV fee receipt, the appointment letter and any documents it lists. Applicants for F, M, J, H-1B and several other categories must set their social media accounts to 'public'.

Can you skip the interview queue?

Some renewal applicants can, through the interview waiver (dropbox). The official conditions:

• You are renewing a B-1, B-2 or B-1/B-2 visa that is still valid or expired within the past 12 months.
• You were at least 18 when it was issued, and all 10 fingerprints were taken for it.
• The previous visa was not lost, stolen, revoked or cancelled, and you have never been refused (unless the refusal was overcome or waived).
• You are in India when you submit, and your passport is valid at least 15 calendar days from the appointment.

Allow up to three weeks from passport drop-off until it is ready, and note that this route cannot be expedited. Drop-off is free at the VACs in the five cities; elsewhere it costs INR 1,500 per passport. The officer may still call you for an interview. ustraveldocs.com is inconsistent on location: its eligibility list says apply in your consular district, while an FAQ says any Consulate. Follow what the booking system offers for your profile.

Is the $750 expedited appointment available in India?

That is not confirmed. A Federal Register rule created an optional $750 fee, paid on top of the $185 MRV fee, for a B1/B2 interview within ten business days. It runs from 1 July to 31 December 2026, only at limited posts listed on travel.state.gov. Whether any Indian post takes part could not be verified. Where it is offered, it does not speed up processing or guarantee a visa.

What should you sort out before you book?

• Pay by UPI if you want to book the same day.
• Check all five posts before settling for a late date.
• Keep the fee receipt safe: it is your key to scheduling for 365 days.
• Students: F and M visas can be issued up to 365 days before the course start date, so you can book early; you can travel within 30 days of the start date on your I-20.
• Workers: H and L applicants need an approved petition from the US Department of Homeland Security before an interview can be scheduled.

If you want a flight itinerary to plan your trip without buying tickets before the visa decision, Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, itineraries and cover letters, with packages from INR 1,000 to INR 3,000. WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Can I book a US visa interview in Mumbai if I live in Delhi?

Yes. The Embassy's visa FAQ says anyone legally present in India may apply at any of the five posts, whichever state you live in. Each post has its own VAC for the biometrics appointment.

How long is the US visa fee receipt valid in India?

The MRV fee payment is valid for 365 days from the receipt date. You must schedule your appointment within that period, but the interview itself can fall after it.

How soon after the interview will my passport come back?

The official appointment service says visas typically take 7-10 working days after the interview, though individual cases may take longer. Applications in administrative processing take longer; most are resolved within 180 days.

Can my passport be delivered to my home?

Yes, for a fee. Premium passport delivery to a home or office address costs INR 1,500 per passport including taxes, paid in cash on delivery.