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US Visa Appointments in 2025: Updated Wait Times for Visitor, Student, and Work Visas

December 6, 2025 5:40 am

US Visa Appointments in 2025: Updated Wait Times for Visitor, Student, and Work Visas

Navigating the U.S. visa process can be challenging, especially with recent changes affecting appointment wait times. The U.S. has eliminated the interview waiver policy for most visa categories, making interviews necessary for many applicants. This post elaborates on wait time variations across cities and offers tips to secure earlier appointments.

Current Visa Appointment Trends

The U.S. State Department has updated visa appointment wait times as of December 2025. This update is crucial, given that the interview waiver policy has been revoked for temporary workers, F-1 international students, and various other visa holders. Hence, almost all travelers must now attend an interview to obtain visa approval.

Regional Wait Time Variations

Visa wait times vary significantly from city to city. Some regions experience reduced wait times, while others face notable delays.

Shorter Wait Times in India

Great news for applicants in India! Recent data reveal that wait times for student and exchange visas (F, M, J categories) in New Delhi have dramatically decreased from about two months to approximately two weeks. Here’s a breakdown:

New Delhi: F, M, and J visas fell from 2 months to about 15 days. B-1/B-2 (tourist and business) visa interviews reduced from 6.5 months to 3.5 months.
Chennai: B-1/B-2 wait time declined from 5 months to around 3 months.

Longer Delays in China and Canada

Not all regions see improvement. For example, Shanghai has seen significant increases in wait times for work-related visas (H, L, O, P, Q), soaring from less than 15 days to nearly three months. In Canada, many cities report lengthy delays:

Ottawa: 4.5 months
Quebec City: 4.5 months
Vancouver: 4 months

Even standard visitor visa interviews (B-1/B-2) in Canada take longer than in most regions:

Toronto: 16.5 months
San Jose: 13 months
Lagos: 12.5 months
Merida: 11.5 months
Ottawa: 11 months

Work Visa Interview Delays in Canada

Canada is experiencing extensive wait times for work visa interviews:

Ottawa: 4.5 months
Quebec: 4.5 months
Vancouver: 4 months

While many cities exhibit wait times similar to those of last month, locations in Canada and China remain notably slower.

Understanding Average Wait Times

The average wait time reported by the U.S. State Department does not guarantee a specific appointment date. Instead, it reflects how long travelers waited last month from the fee payment to the interview date. New interview slots often become available, which can result in shorter wait times than the averages suggest.

Conclusion

The removal of the interview waiver has transformed the visa appointment landscape, making in-person interviews mandatory for most. While some cities report shorter wait times, others, especially in Canada and China, experience significant delays. By actively monitoring the appointment system, travelers can increase their chances of securing an earlier date.

Stay informed, be proactive, and you can navigate this challenging process with greater ease.