SENSEX 84,481.81
-77.84
CRUDEOIL 5,073.00
-8.00
GOLD 134,040.00
-854.00
SILVER 202,790.00
-4,645.00
SENSEX 84,481.81
-77.84
CRUDEOIL 5,073.00
-8.00
CRUDEOIL 5,073.00
-8.00
GOLD 134,040.00
-854.00
Expanded checks, particularly for student, exchange visitor and H-1B applicants and their dependants, have had a bearing on appointment availability, the Ministry said
Applicants seeking B1/B2 business and tourist visas face a wait of around three months, while for student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, J) the wait period is roughly two months in Chennai
| Photo Credit:
subodhsathe
The Ministry of External Affairs in response to a Rajya Sabha question has notified that Chennai has the lowest waiting period for availing an interview appointment at the US Embassy and Consulates in India.
Applicants seeking B1/B2 business and tourist visas face a wait of around three months, while for student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, J) the wait period is roughly two months in Chennai. For work and specialised visa categories (H, L, O, P, Q), data show waits of around one month.
The waiting period in Chennai is significantly lower compared to other major metros with waiting periods for B1/B2 visas in the range of 5-10 months in Delhi (10 months), Kolkata (5 months), Mumbai (9.5 months) and Hyderabad (5 months).
The Ministry stated that the US State Department has recently tightened screening and vetting procedures, treating every visa adjudication as a national security decision. “Expanded checks, particularly for student, exchange visitor and H-1B applicants and their dependents, have had a bearing on appointment availability,” it said.
It added that the government said it continues to engage with US authorities to promote smoother and secure mobility frameworks for students, professionals, tourists and business travellers
Published on December 18, 2025