News

Lengthy Visa Appointment Backlogs at U.S. Consulates in India

Foreign nationals who need to apply for an H or L visa in India currently face visa appointment wait times of 75 to more than 115 days at the U.S. consulates in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi.  The appointment backlog is likely to delay U.S. employment start dates and reentry to the United States, unless applicants are able to secure a visa appointment at another consulate.  Backlogs are likely to increase as the October 1 start date for FY 2017 H-1B cap employment nears.

Demand for U.S. visas has increased over the last several months, but there has been no increase in consular staff at the U.S. mission to India, leading to the current backlog. 

Source: Fragomen Worldwide