US Embassy Issues Strict Advisory on Visa Appointments: Check Current Visa Wait Time, Rescheduling & New Visa Slots

The US Embassy in India has issued a firm warning to all visa applicants across India. If you receive a rescheduling notice, you must skip the original date and attend only the new one. Anyone showing up on the old appointment date will be turned away. 

The advisory comes at a time when consulates are actively reshuffling calendars to manage increased demand and tighter vetting. The shift has triggered widespread rescheduling, causing frustration and confusion among thousands of applicants. 

What does the Embassy Message Say?

The Embassy posted a clear message on X:

“If you have received an email advising that your visa appointment has been rescheduled, Mission India looks forward to assisting you on your new appointment date. Arriving on your previously scheduled appointment date will result in your being denied admittance to the Embassy or Consulate.” 

In short, don’t show up at your earlier slot if it has been changed. The new date is the only valid one now.

What Are the Current Visa Wait Times Across Cities?

Wait times across India vary widely, depending on city and visa type. Recent data suggests:

• Hyderabad: 4.5 months
• Kolkata: 5 months
• Chennai:  5 to 5.5 months
• New Delhi: 6–7 months
• Mumbai: 9–11 months

* Wait times fluctuate and may differ by visa category (student, work, visitor, etc.).

Because of recent drops — especially in Delhi and Hyderabad — many non-immigrant visa (visitor, student, work) slots are becoming available sooner than before. 

Why the Rescheduling? What Has Changed?

The wave of rescheduling appears driven by two major shifts:

New vetting rules, especially for work-related visas (like H-1B and H-4), that require expanded scrutiny, including review of applicants’ online presence and social media. This has slowed down interview processing and forced many appointments to be delayed. 

Reduced daily interviews per consulate, as a result of increased checks and manpower constraints. This effort aims to prevent overcrowding and maintain proper screening standards. 

As a result, many applicants who had confirmed appointments for December were pushed to early 2026 — often to March. 

How to Check Your New US Visa Slot?

If you’re applying for a US visa from India, follow these simple steps to keep track:

• Check your email regularly for any rescheduling notification. The Embassy/Consulate will send a mail if your slot changes.
• Log in to the official visa scheduling portal — only that portal shows updated slots.
• Do not visit the Embassy or Consulate on your original date if you have received a reschedule notice — you will be denied entry.
• Monitor frequently for earlier slots: cancellations happen, and new slots may open up. Applicants often find dates earlier than the original estimates if they check daily.

Remember, the official scheduling system calculates months and half-months in fixed 30-day / 15-day increments — weekends and holidays included. 

What This Means for Applicants & What to Do?

• Flexibility is key. Visa seekers should avoid booking final travel around a fixed consular appointment — until their visa is issued.
• Check and re-check email and portal after booking. Many slots have moved due to vetting backlog and security checks.
• Be prepared for longer delays, especially for categories requiring enhanced scrutiny (work visas, dependents).
• Watch consulate-wise wait times — cities like Hyderabad or Kolkata may offer faster appointments than Mumbai or Delhi.

Impact on Indian Travellers

With fresh advisory from the Embassy, clarity is out, but it comes with urgency. Visa applicants must track rescheduled dates carefully. Showing up on an old slot means automatic denial, no exceptions. As visa rules and vetting standards tighten globally, staying alert and flexible remains the only way for a smooth US visa journey.