NEW DELHI- Travel companies report that US visa appointment availability has deteriorated significantly, with western regions experiencing wait times extending to nearly 18 months by the end of 2026. North, East, and South regions face approximately one-year delays for new appointments.
The situation has worsened considerably since the COVID-19 pandemic initially disrupted visa processing systems.
Photo: Digit InsuranceUS Visa Processing for Indians
Kapil Jain, cofounder and chief executive of Fly Divine Travels, confirmed that appointment timelines previously ranged from 8-12 months but now consistently breach the one-year mark.
The US government implemented stricter policies starting January 2025 that further complicate the application process. Applicants now face a 120-day booking ban if they miss their scheduled appointments, affecting both interview and interview-waiver categories.
The rescheduling policy changed dramatically on January 1, 2025, allowing applicants only one rescheduling opportunity instead of the previous two chances. These restrictions have forced desperate applicants to seek appointments in neighbouring countries.
US Ambassador to India- Eric Garcetti; Photo- US Embassy and Consulates in IndiaAlternative Destinations
Himanshu Patil, director of Kesari Tours and president of the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India, revealed that applicants with urgent work commitments travel to Singapore and Thailand for visa appointments.
The disparity becomes apparent when comparing processing times, as countries like China offer appointments within weeks rather than months.
Travel industry professionals report that clients no longer book US trips before securing visas, as the traditional one-month processing window has disappeared entirely.
Mohak Nahta, founder and CEO of visa platform Atlys, observed increased scrutiny in US visa application reviews throughout 2025. Visa officers conduct more detailed interviews, asking sharper questions about travel plans, timelines, and intentions.
Industry insiders report higher rejection rates despite solid documentation for business and leisure visas. The increased scrutiny has created additional barriers for legitimate travellers seeking entry to the United States.
Photo- US Embassy & Consulates in IndiaFraudulent Practices
The US Embassy in India announced in March that consular teams cancelled approximately 2,000 visa appointments created by automated bots.
The Department of State subsequently imposed visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of Indian travel agencies facilitating illegal immigration.
These enforcement actions target unscrupulous agents exploiting desperate applicants, though the specific agencies involved remain undisclosed. The crackdown aims to restore integrity to the visa application process while inadvertently affecting legitimate applicants.
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Thomas Cook India reports minimal impact on leisure segments due to clients holding long-term visas. However, most travel industry representatives acknowledge that scrutiny levels have increased substantially across all visa categories.
Kartik Batra, founder of travel services provider Travexo, confirmed that appointment timelines continue stretching with new business or leisure visa cases requiring one year or more for processing. The extended delays create opportunities for unethical practices targeting urgent travellers.
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US Visa Appointment Wait Time Exceeds Over 1 Year for Indians
The post US Visa Processing Faces Extreme Delays, Appointment by the End of 2026 appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
