In India, anyone applying for a US visitor visa had to wait an average of 346 days for an interview in the fiscal year 2025. This figure is significantly higher than the pre-pandemic average of just 42 days, as highlighted by a federal audit shared by NDTV World.
The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that the number of visa applications from India greatly outstripped the available resources of consular staff. The 346-day waiting time specifically refers to how long it takes to schedule an interview, and it does not include the time needed to process applications after interviews or for those currently applying.
### Challenges Faced by Consular Staff
The audit revealed that India received around 1,455,255 nonimmigrant visa applications in 2025. With only 68 consular staff members available to handle these visas, each staff member managed approximately 21,401 applications on average.
While the statistics cover various types of temporary visas, the lengthy 346-day wait is specifically for visitor visa interviews. For comparison, the average waiting time for an interview is much shorter in China at 34 days, and in Brazil at 32 days. In Mexico, where consular staff had a similar workload, applicants faced an average wait of 283 days.
### Shortage of Resources and Intermediary Issues
Auditors visited various locations, including New Delhi, Mexico City, Beijing, and São Paulo. Staff members in India and Mexico cited that the increase in demand for visas, combined with a shortage of consular personnel following the pandemic, made it hard to clear the backlog of applications.
The report also highlighted that the US Embassy in New Delhi does not have enough interview windows to accommodate the number of staff they have for processing visa applications. Many people were seen waiting outside the embassy, and even in additional waiting areas. A planned move to a new building won’t solve the issue of insufficient interview windows.
Additionally, officials noted the presence of paid visa agents who book available appointment slots and resell them to applicants. To tackle this problem, the State Department has adjusted its appointment system. In fiscal year 2024, a team based in Washington managed 80.6% of the visitor visa cases from New Delhi without requiring an in-person interview.
This situation underscores the ongoing challenges many face in navigating the visa application process, particularly in a post-pandemic world where demand continues to surge.
