Visa interview dates always scarce
Applicants should be prepared for varying wait times for an interview at the U.S. consulate, depending on the visa category, the location of the consulate, and the season. The following explains the circumstances that may cause delays in scheduling a visa interview and how the COVID-19 pandemic affects the current scheduling situation.
- Requesting an interview appointment
- Waiting times for interview appointment
When are which appointments available?
Estimated and actual appointment availabilities
Current appointment situation under COVID-19
- Waiting times for passport
- Our recommendation
Request an interview appointment at the U.S. consulate
For applicants between the ages of 14 and 79, the interview appointment is mandatory for visa applications (exception: Visa Reissuance Program). As a rule, the visa interview takes place in the country where the applicant currently lives.
An appointment is made online via a visa profile. After payment of the visa fee, the available appointments at the U.S. consulates can be viewed and selected in a calendar.
Note: The U.S. consulates are generally closed on holidays (= U.S. holidays and holidays in the applicant's home country).
Waiting times for an interview appointment
When are which appointments available?
The availability of visa interview appointments at U.S. consulates worldwide depends on several factors and can be subject to significant fluctuations in some cases. During peak travel periods and before holidays, including U.S. holidays and holidays in the applicant's home country, the wait for an interview appointment may be significantly longer. It is therefore always advisable to make an appointment as early as possible.
Popular travel times and public holidays can have very different effects on the respective visa categories: Sometimes it is student visas, sometimes visitor visas, or work visas for which the volume is high and the waiting times for an interview appointment are very long.
In times of regular opening, the waiting times for an interview at the U.S. consulates in Germany (Berlin, Frankfurt / Main, Munich), for example, vary from a few days to several weeks. On average, waiting times for an appointment are around two to three weeks – under normal conditions.
Estimated and actual appointment availabilities
Estimated visa interview wait times for nonimmigrant visas (Visa Appointment Wait Times) can be accessed through an online tool on the official U.S. Department of State (DOS) website. Currently, according to this query, many countries still offer emergency appointments or interview appointments are not available to be booked again for 999 calendar days, in which case this equates to no appointments being available and only emergency cases being processed. However, the vast majority of U.S. consulates worldwide have resumed regular visa issuance, but in some cases with extremely long wait times for an appointment.
Please note, however, that actual appointment availability can vary widely (depending on the visa category being applied for and the U.S. consulate).
The only reliable option to check availability at the respective U.S. consulate in the respective category is the appointment calendar in the applicant's online profile.
Current appointment situation under COVID-19
Interview scheduling at U.S. emmbassies and U.S. consulates around the world has become increasingly tight since the start of the Corona crisis. This has been due to temporary closures or restrictions on visa services, public access and staff reductions.
The extent of the visa interview backlog varies depending on each country's COVID protection protocols, pandemic events on the ground, and local conditions and restrictions since the outbreak of the Corona crisis.
In the wake of recently announced changes to U.S. travel restrictions beginning November 8, 2021, U.S. embassies and consulates have released additional visa appointments for all visa categories.
In the German U.S. consulates (Frankfurt/Main, Berlin, Munich), almost all interview appointments for the coming weeks, no matter for which visa category, are already completely sold out due to the great rush as well as the tense staff situation and, of course, also due to the pandemic.For many categories, dates are not available again until mid-May or June 2022 (as of 01 February 2022).
The following categories are currently particularly affected:
B-1/B-2 visas for business travelers/tourists, E-1/E-2 work visas as well as other work visas of category H, L or O etc.. But also for I-, F- or J-visas there are currently only a few appointments available, with sometimes weeks of waiting time.
Please note: The appointment situation in the individual US consulates worldwide changes almost daily. It is therefore conceivable that additional earlier appointments will be made available at certain consulates, but it is also possible that waiting times will continue to deteriorate.
ATTENTION: All U.S. consulates worldwide have been authorized, effective immediately, to waive the otherwise required in-person interviews with employment visa applicants, provided they meet certain requirements. This waiver of the postal filing option applies specifically to applicants for temporary work visas in categories H-1, H-3, H-4, L. O, P, and Q. Learn more here
The postal submission procedure for certain visa categories or visa extensions allows applicants to avoid the otherwise obligatory interview, but at the same time travelers should be prepared for longer processing times. These are currently around 2-4 weeks until the actual visa receipt after sending the documents to the U.S. consulate. With the increasing access rate to this procedure, longer waiting times are also foreseeable here.
We therefore recommend the following:
- Check in advance whether you can use the postal submission procedure if necessary.
- Keep checking the visa profile to see whether there are free or earlier interview appointments for the desired visa category, if you urgently need an earlier appointment or no arrangement has been possible so far.
- Check the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country for the current processing status.
Make a good note of your visa interview appointment!
Expedited processing under certain circumstances
If there is an urgent need, you can request an expedited interview appointment. Even during the pandemic, there are emergency appointments for urgent U.S. travel. However, it is mandatory that a regular appointment be made first. Only then is an emergency appointment request even possible.
Possible reasons for an expedited appointment include, but are not limited to
- medical needs (e.g., for urgent medical care),
- attendance at a funeral, or
- urgent, unanticipated business travel.
To be eligible for expedited visa processing, visa applicants must demonstrate the need for the expedited interview appointment (e.g., by providing supporting documentation). Please note that emergency appointment requests are usually examined very critically and are often rejected. This is especially true for individuals who have urgent business travel needs.
An emergency appointment request can only be made once. This is usually done via the online profile and the navigation button "Emergency Request". If an earlier appointment is granted and the appointment is not kept, there is no possibility to make another emergency request. As emergency appointments can also be allocated at short notice, it is advisable to submit the request as soon as all visa application documents are available.
Note: If the emergency appointment is granted and the consular officers determine during the interview that you have misrepresented the need for urgent U.S. travel, this may have a negative impact on the outcome of the visa application. Approval of an emergency appointment is not the same as automatic visa approval.
Wait times for passport delivery
After your visa interview appointment, please also be prepared for varying lengths of time for delivery depending on the time of year and volume of applications.
Passport delivery is handled by UPS after the interview appointment at the German U.S. consulates and depending on the volume of orders, this may take a little longer. The waiting times for the delivery of passports including visa can therefore vary between a few days and up to two weeks.
In-person pickup at designated locations is also possible, but does not necessarily expedite the application process.
Our recommendation
It is advisable to apply for a visa for the U.S. as early as possible. Especially before holidays, applicants should plan more buffer for the interview appointment.
You should also bear in mind that the waiting times for entry into the U.S. will increase if there is a high volume of travel.
With successive vaccination progress, there is hope that the threat of the pandemic will abate and global travel can resume in full. In the meantime, foreign nationals must come to terms with the fact that visa dates are limited and plan accordingly.
Of course, if you hire us to handle your visa, our US Visa Team will take care of coordinating and arranging your interview appointment at the U.S. consulate in a timely manner.
Get advice now
Updated on 9.2.2022
FAQs
What is the current wait time for US visa appointment? ›
The current wait-time at Indian consulates for the B1/B2 visas (Interview Required Visitors) are: New Delhi: 596 days. Chennai: 625 days. Mumbai: 638 days.
How long does it take to get a US visa interview appointment? ›How long does it take to get an appointment? Although NVC strives to schedule appointments within three months of NVC's acceptance of all requested documentation, this timeframe is subject to the operating status and capacity of the consular section.
Why is the US visa interview taking so long? ›Wait times for all Family Preference and Employment categories continue to be lengthy due to substantial backlogs. It is not possible to provide precise wait times for immigrant visa appointments, as facilities, staffing resources, and local conditions all affect capacity and scheduling.
How many times can I check visa slots in a day? ›As per them, in India, using the MRV Fee receipt (Visa fee receipt), you can schedule visa appointments up to 5 times. These 5 times include the initial appointment scheduling. What it means is that you can re-schedule or change the appointment for 4 times after your initial appointment.
Is there any way to get US visa appointment early? ›The decision to grant an expedited appointment is made on a case-by-case basis, but generally requests are accommodated for a bona fide medical or humanitarian emergency, and to facilitate the start of work or study in the United States.
Why US visa slots are not available? ›The US Embassy has earlier said that the wait time for non-immigrant visa applicants has gone up due to reduced workforce and coronavirus-related restrictions in operations since March 2020.
How can I check visa slots availability? ›- Install the chrome extension.
- Give your Access Code (received in the signup) in the extension.
- Log in to CGI portal from the browser you installed the extension.
- Navigate to schedule appointment on the visa portal.
- That's all. Screenshot is captured by the Chrome Extension.
Approximately 6 to 9 months after filing Form N-400, USCIS will mail the naturalization interview appointment notice. Make every attempt to attend the scheduled interview time. Rescheduling an interview will add several weeks to the naturalization process.
How do I rush my US visa appointment? ›Emergency appointments cannot be scheduled by email.
If you have urgent medical or humanitarian need of travel and you cannot schedule an appointment prior to your proposed date of departure then, schedule the first available appointment and click on the “Request Expedite” link.
You can generally request expedited processing by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or by asking Emma after you have obtained a receipt notice. (You can access Emma by clicking on the Ask Emma icon on the top right of this page).
Can you expedite US visa interview? ›
Please note that you must schedule an appointment before you can request an expedited date. At the time you schedule your appointment, you will see an onscreen message showing the earliest available appointment date, which includes expedited appointments.
Is USA giving visa without interview? ›US Visa Interviews Waived for Certain Non-Immigrant Applicants until Dec 31st, 2023. US Department of State said that they recognize the positive impact of travel to the US by international students and work visa holders for the US Economy and want to continue to facilitate travel in 2023 with reduced visa wait times.
What is the best time to check for visa slots? ›We strongly recommend that applicants begin the application process approximately three months before the scheduled travel date, as appointments are usually filled 1-2 months in advance. Besides, visa applications are now subject to a higher degree of scrutiny than in the past.
How many times can you check US visa appointment availability? ›Please be reminded that even though nonimmigrant visa fees are valid for one year from the date of payment, the number of times an applicant can schedule an appointment with a single fee receipt is limited. Applicants are only allowed to schedule appointments three times without a restriction.
What is the best time to reschedule US visa appointment? ›Please note that the closing time for appointments is 48 hours. If you cannot attend the rescheduled appointment, please cancel or reschedule your appointment at least three working days prior to your appointment date. Otherwise, you will need to wait until the appointment date has passed to reschedule a new one.
What happens if visa appointments are not available? ›If no appointments are available, please continue to check, as new slots are added periodically.
Are B1 B2 visa appointments available? ›As of November 2022, the median worldwide wait time for a tourist visa (B1/B2) interview appointment was about two months, and applicants with urgent travel needs who meet certain criteria can apply for an emergency appointment, usually available within days.
Are B1 B2 visa slots available? ›...
US opens visa slots for B1/B2 applicants in India.
| US Embassy in India | Wait time for appointments (in days) |
|---|---|
| Chennai | 171 |
| Delhi | 233 |
| Mumbai | 297 |
Applications for work permits saw an increase of processing times from 3.2 months in FY 2020 to 4.3 months in FY 2022.
Which USCIS office is the fastest? ›- If you are a green card holder for 3-5 years;
- If you have served in the U.S. military.
How far out does USCIS schedule interviews? ›
The Interview
The appointment notice will come in the mail within 6 months or sooner after filing. USCIS will give the applicants a few weeks notice to get everything together before the big day.
Qualifications for an Expedited Interview Appointment
Consular sections overseas may be able to expedite your interview date if there is an urgent, unforeseen situation such as a funeral, medical emergency, or school start date. The process to request an expedited nonimmigrant visa interview varies by location.
- Ties to Home Country. ...
- English. ...
- Speak for Yourself. ...
- Know the Program and How it Fits Your Career Plans. ...
- Be Concise. ...
- Supplemental Documentation. ...
- Not All Countries Are Equal. ...
- Employment.
- New Delhi: 596 days.
- Chennai: 625 days.
- Mumbai: 638 days.
- Kolkata: 589 days.
B-2 Visa Processing Time and Length of Stay
B-2 visas are valid for up to six months and may be renewed once for up to an additional six months. After submitting the DS-160 form, it generally takes USCIS between 60–90 days to process the B-2 visa application.
The US student visa (F-1 visa) is one of the fastest visas to process. In fact, the study permit is often processed directly before your embassy interview.
Can I schedule an F-1 visa interview at more than 120 days away from the U.S. program start date? ›You can apply for F-1 visa within 120 days of the commencement of your program.
How long does it take to get an interview with the U.S. Embassy? ›On average, waiting times for an appointment are around two to three weeks – under normal conditions.
Is Uscis waiving interviews? ›2. Remember, Waiving the Interview is Not Official USCIS Policy. It is important to remember that even though we are seeing USCIS approve some adjustment of status applications without an interview, this is not an official USCIS policy.
Who qualifies for a US visa interview waiver? ›Conditions that must be met: Must be applying for a visa in their country of nationality or residence; Must either have been previously issued any type of U.S. visa or be a citizen or national of a Visa Waiver Program participating country with prior travel via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA);
Are B1 B2 visa eligible for interview waiver? ›
You may also use the interview waiver program if you are renewing any visa (including B1/B2 visas) within 48 months of expiration.
How many attempts are allowed for US visa interview? ›As we mentioned earlier, you need to be patient enough while booking US visa interview dates. We mean it because each time you try to book a date, and if that date is not available, your attempts will keep on decreasing. There are a total of 12 attempts.
How do agents book visa appointment? ›- Agents collect user credentials to book a visa slot.
- As agents have access to multiple login accounts, they can log in multiple times using multiple user accounts.
- As soon as the visa slots are available, they book them and book for their other clients.
F4 Visa Processing Time
Since the number of F4 visas that are issued every year is limited, the processing time is generally long. It could take anywhere between 1 and 10 years to get your visa processed.
Generally speaking, a B1 visa is for business-related projects, while a B2 visa is for tourism and pleasure-travel. The government can also issue a B1/B2 visa to business travelers who plan to travel within the US for tourist activities during their stay in the United States.
How long does it take to get US visa 2022? ›The US State Department said in a media release, “As of November 2022, the median worldwide wait time for a tourist visa (B1/B2) interview appointment is about two months, and applicants with urgent travel needs who meet certain criteria can apply for an emergency appointment, usually available within days.”
What if there are currently no appointments available for US visa? ›If there are currently no appointments available, please go back to the scheduling system at a later time. Our office typically schedules additional appointment slots on a rolling basis depending on the demand for appointments. Therefore, we recommend you check the appointment system periodically for availability.
Will USCIS speed up in 2023? ›As cycle times improve, processing times will follow, and applicants and petitioners will receive decisions on their cases more quickly. USCIS will increase capacity, improve technology, and expand staffing to achieve these new goals by the end of FY 2023.
Is U.S. issuing B2 visa now? ›Please continue to monitor the USTravelDocs.com website for appointment availability. We have now resumed routine B1/B2 processing, however due to high demand, we are experiencing extended wait times across all visa categories.
How can I increase my chances of a B2 visa? ›- The B1/B2 visa is not a documentary application. ...
- Know what the consular officer is looking for. ...
- Tell the truth, and nothing but the truth. ...
- Complete and submit Form DS-160. ...
- Prepare well for your interview. ...
- Do not turn up late. ...
- Know your travel plans.
Is a B1 B2 visa hard to get? ›
Nonetheless, the US B1/B2 visa offers one of the simplest options for visiting the United States for business or tourism purposes. The B1/B2 Visa is an important requirement for many travelers wishing to enter the U.S. Luckily, everyone is eligible to apply for it in the easiest way possible using iVisa.
How do I expedite a B1 B2 visa interview? ›Call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) to request expedited processing based on your position as a healthcare worker or a childcare worker with an EAD application that meets the above criteria.
Which is the fastest US visa? ›The US student visa (F-1 visa) is one of the fastest visas to process. In fact, the study permit is often processed directly before your embassy interview.
Is US embassy giving B1 B2 visa? ›We have now resumed routine B1/B2 processing, however due to high demand, we are experiencing extended wait times across all visa categories.