US Visa Wait Times July 2026: India, Colombia & Mexico See Longest Delays – Expedited Pilot Launched in Mexico

Xavi
3 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

US visa wait times July 2026 showing Mumbai and Bogota at 11 months for B-1/B-2 with expedited pilot in Mexico. — US visa wait times July 2026 showing Mumbai and Bogota at 11 months for B-1/B-2 with expedited pilot in Mexico

WASHINGTON D.C. — July 28, 2026 — The U.S. State Department has published the most recent global visa wait times as of July 21, 2026, highlighting notable delays at major consular posts, especially in India, Colombia, and Mexico. The information indicates that wait times for B-1/B-2 visitor visas continue to be extended at several high-demand sites, while a new expedited appointment pilot program has been initiated in Mexico.

Quick Facts: US Visa Wait Times July 2026

Feature	Details
Longest B-1/B-2 Waits	Bogota (11 months), Mumbai (11 months), Hyderabad (10 months), New Delhi (8 months)
India City Trends	Hyderabad (10 months), Mumbai (11 months), Chennai (7 months), New Delhi (8 months)
Mexico Pilot	Expedited B-1/B-2 appointments within 10 business days for $750 fee
Pilot Period	July 21 – December 31, 2026
Eligible Posts	U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico

Longest B-1/B-2 Wait Times (July 2026)

City/Post	B-1/B-2 Average Wait	Next Available Appointment
Bogota	11 months	9 months
Mumbai (Bombay)	11 months	8.5 months
Hyderabad	10 months	10.5 months
New Delhi	8 months	8.5 months
Chennai (Madras)	7 months	NA
Santo Domingo	6 months	9 months
Guangzhou	1 month	1 month

Note: Average wait times are provided for B-1/B-2 visas only in cases where the next available appointment is more than three months away.

India Visa Wait Times: Hyderabad & Mumbai Lead

City	B-1/B-2 Average Wait	F/M/J Next Available	H/L/O/P/Q Next Available
Hyderabad	10 months	4.5 months	5 months
Mumbai	11 months	2.5 months	1.5 months
New Delhi	8 months	2.5 months	1.5 months
Chennai	7 months	NA	NA

Trend: Indian applicants continue to face some of the longest wait times globally, with B-1/B-2 waits exceeding 7 months at all major posts. Hyderabad and Mumbai remain the most backlogged.

Mexico: Expedited B-1/B-2 Pilot Program Launched

The State Department has launched a pilot program allowing eligible B-1/B-2 visa applicants applying at the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico to pay an additional $750 fee for an expedited interview appointment to be scheduled within 10 business days .

Feature	Details
Pilot Launch	July 21, 2026
Fee	$750 (non-refundable)
Appointment Guarantee	Within 10 business days of payment
Availability	Limited slots at participating posts
Pilot Period	Through December 31, 2026
Note	Fee does not accelerate visa adjudication or processing

Mexico City Wait Times:

B-1/B-2 average: N/A (next available: 3.5 months)
F/M/J next available: 1 month
H/L/O/P/Q next available: 1 month

Additional Key Wait Times (July 2026)

City	B-1/B-2 Average	F/M/J Next	H/L/O/P/Q Next
Beijing	NA	4.5 months	3.5 months
Shanghai	NA	4 months	3 months
Guangzhou	1 month	1.5 months	2 months
Seoul	NA	<0.5 months	<0.5 months
Manila	NA	1 month	<0.5 months
Abuja	NA	<0.5 months	<0.5 months
Addis Ababa	NA	2 months	2.5 months

Practical Advice for Visa Applicants

For Applicants in High-Demand Posts

Action	Why It Matters
Check availability frequently	Embassies regularly release additional appointment slots
Reschedule if earlier slots appear	Move your appointment to an earlier date if available
Consider interview waiver	Check if you qualify for in-person interview waiver (eligibility updated Sept. 18, 2025)
Apply early	Submit applications well in advance of planned travel
Monitor embassy websites	Post-specific instructions vary by location

For Mexican B-1/B-2 Applicants

The expedited pilot offers a premium option for urgent travel
$750 fee only speeds up the appointment – not the visa adjudication
Limited slots available