Average US Visa Wait Times Decline Across Key Cities. The U.S. State Department has released its latest visa appointment wait-time update, revealing major shifts across several key global cities. While some regions have seen encouraging reductions especially for student and work visas others are facing unexpected delays.
A major change this month is the rollback of the Interview Waiver Program, commonly known as the Dropbox option, for most visa categories. The removal of this facility means more applicants must now attend in-person interviews, increasing pressure on already busy U.S. consulates.
Interview Waiver (Dropbox) Option Removed for Most Categories
The U.S. State Department has discontinued the interview waiver for:
- F-1 and M-1 student visas
- J exchange visitor visas
- Temporary work categories (H, L, O, P, Q)
- Several other non-immigrant classifications
This means applicants who previously enjoyed a faster, paperwork-only review will now face the standard in-person interview process, affecting both processing speed and availability of appointment slots.
New Delhi Sees Major Drop in Visa Wait Times
According to the BAL U.S. Practice Group, New Delhi recorded a sharp improvement in wait times:
Student & Exchange Visas (F, M, J)
- Old wait time: About 2 months
- New wait time: 0.5 month (approx. 15 days)
This reduction is one of the most significant positive changes in the December 2025 update.
B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa (Interview Required)
- Earlier wait time: 6.5 months
- Current wait time: 3.5 months
New Delhi continues to be one of the fastest-improving U.S. visa posts in Asia.
Chennai (Madras) Shows Mixed Results
Chennai’s numbers changed dramatically:
B-1/B-2 Interview-Required Wait Times
- Earlier average wait: 5 months
- Now listed as: N/A (no average published)
Next Available Interview Date
- October wait: 5 months
- Now: 3 months
While the published average disappeared, the reduction in next available appointments is still a positive indicator.
Shanghai Faces Significant Delays
Unlike the improvements in India, China’s Shanghai consulate has seen a steep increase:
H, L, O, P, Q Work Visa Categories
- Previous wait time: Under 0.5 month
- Current wait time: Around 3 months
This major jump follows October’s global update and suggests growing pressure on visa operations in China.
Cities With the Longest B-1/B-2 Visa Wait Times
Despite progress in some regions, several cities still have extremely long visitor visa queues.
Top 5 Longest Wait Times (B-1/B-2 Interview-Required)
| City | Average Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Toronto | 16.5 months |
| San Jose | 13 months |
| Lagos | 12.5 months |
| Merida | 11.5 months |
| Ottawa | 11 months |
These extended durations indicate high demand and limited appointment availability.
Global Overview: Visa Wait Times Hold Steady
Across most major U.S. embassies, the latest trends show that:
- Work visas (H, L, O, P, Q) remain within 0.5 to 3 months.
- Student and exchange visas (F, M, J) remain stable aside from major reductions in India.
- Visitor visas (B-1/B-2) vary widely depending on local demand and resources.
While slight changes appear every month, overall global wait times have not shifted dramatically.
How the U.S. Measures Visa Wait Times
The State Department calculates visa wait times based on:
- Average duration for non-immigrant visa interviews
- Estimated next available appointment dates
- A standardized 30-day month / 15-day half-month calculation
- Inclusion of weekends and holidays (even though embassies remain closed)
It is important to note:
These are estimates — not guarantees.
Your personal appointment date may be earlier or later depending on local consular activity.
Can You Get an Earlier Visa Appointment?
Yes. U.S. embassies frequently open new appointment slots, and applicants can:
- Check the online scheduling system regularly
- Reschedule to an earlier date when available
- Monitor notifications for new or emergency appointment options
Many applicants successfully secure earlier dates simply by checking the portal multiple times per day.
What This Update Means for Applicants
Good News
- Faster processing in major Indian cities
- Stable timelines for most work and student visas
- More predictable appointment availability in key regions
Challenges
- Loss of Dropbox creates additional interview burden
- Shanghai’s increased delays may disrupt travel plans
- Visitor visa applicants in Canada, Mexico, and Africa face exceptionally long waits
Conclusion
The December 2025 US visa wait-time update shows both improvements and setbacks. While New Delhi and Chennai have reduced delays, cities like Shanghai and Toronto continue to struggle with long queues. With the Dropbox option gone for most categories, applicants should prepare for interview-based processing and regularly monitor scheduling systems for better slots.
