US Visitor Visa (B1/B2) Wait Times by Embassy

The B1/B2 visa is a US nonimmigrant visa for temporary business (B1) or tourism and medical treatment (B2) visits. Wait times for interview appointments vary enormously between US embassies and consulates — from under 1 month to over 17 months.

How Long Is the B1/B2 Wait Time in 2026?

US State Department data shows B1/B2 interview appointment wait times range from 1 month to 17 months across embassies worldwide. The wait time represents the earliest available appointment date, not the total processing time from application to visa issuance.

Here are the consulates with the longest current wait times:

1. Toronto: 17 months
2. Calgary: 12.5 months
3. Vancouver: 12.5 months
4. Ottawa: 11 months
5. Bogota: 10.5 months
6. Matamoros: 10.5 months
7. Kinshasa: 10 months
8. Mumbai (Bombay): 9 months
9. Lima: 8.5 months
10. Monterrey: 8 months

For wait times at all US consulates, visit our tracking page.

Which Consulates Have the Shortest Wait Times?

If you have flexibility in where you apply, these consulates currently have the shortest B1/B2 wait times:

1. Auckland: 1 month
2. Perth: 1.5 months
3. Casablanca: 2 months
4. Monrovia: 2 months
5. Chennai (Madras): 3.5 months
6. Halifax: 3.5 months
7. Melbourne: 3.5 months
8. Guayaquil: 4 months
9. Hermosillo: 4 months
10. Kampala: 4 months

Note: You should generally apply at the consulate in your country of residence. Applying at a consulate in a different country may raise questions during your interview.

Why Is Toronto's B1/B2 Wait Time So Long?

At 17 months, Toronto has the longest B1/B2 wait time globally. Several factors contribute:

• High demand: Large volume of Canadian applicants for US visitor visas
• Post-COVID backlog: Interview backlogs from the pandemic era persist at high-volume posts
• Limited appointment slots: Staffing hasn't kept pace with demand
• Seasonal surges: Summer travel season creates additional pressure

Canadian applicants may also check Calgary (12.5 months), Vancouver (12.5 months), or Ottawa (11 months) — though all Canadian posts have long waits.

Understanding Visa Wait Time vs Processing Time

Important distinction:

• Wait time = Time from today until the earliest available interview appointment
• Processing time = Time from interview until visa decision (usually 1-3 business days for B1/B2)
• Total time = Wait time + interview + administrative processing (if applicable)

For most B1/B2 applicants, the wait time for an appointment is the bottleneck, not the actual processing after the interview.

Other Visa Categories at US Consulates

US consulates also process these visa categories:

Category	Description
F/M/J	Students and exchange visitors
H/L/O/P/Q	Temporary workers and intracompany transferees
C/D	Transit and crew members

Each category has its own appointment queue. For example, at Toronto, B1/B2 waits 17 months but H/L/O/P/Q waits only 4 months.

How to Check Your Consulate's Wait Time

1. WaitVisa: Browse all US consulates for current wait times updated daily
2. State Department: The official travel.state.gov site publishes monthly wait time estimates
3. Appointment system: When you schedule through ustraveldocs.com, you'll see actual available dates

Tips for Managing Long Wait Times

1. Apply early — Don't wait until you have travel plans; B1/B2 visas are valid for 10 years
2. Check multiple posts — If you're near a border, neighboring countries may have shorter waits
3. Use expedited appointments — Available for medical emergencies, business urgency, or student start dates
4. Check cancellation openings — Appointment slots open up as others cancel; check frequently
5. Consider ESTA — Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries can use ESTA instead of B1/B2

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do B1/B2 wait times change?

Wait times can change weekly as new appointment slots open and existing appointments are filled. The State Department updates official estimates monthly, but WaitVisa tracks daily changes.

Can I apply for a B1/B2 at any US consulate?

You should apply at the consulate in your country of residence or citizenship. You can technically apply elsewhere (called "third country national" processing), but consular officers may view this unfavorably.

What should I bring to my B1/B2 interview?

Bring your passport, DS-160 confirmation page, interview appointment letter, photo, and evidence of ties to your home country (employment letter, property ownership, family connections). The interview typically lasts 2-5 minutes.

Do B1/B2 wait times affect visa approval rates?

No — wait times reflect appointment availability, not approval standards. Approval criteria are the same regardless of the consulate's wait time.

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Source: WaitVisa.com — US State Department data, updated 2026-04-11. Wait times are estimates and may change without notice.