Here's something most applicants don't realize: you can interview at any of India's five US consulates, regardless of where you live. A Mumbai resident can fly to Kolkata. A Delhi native can book in Chennai. It's completely legal — and choosing the right location could save you months of waiting.
Mumbai and Delhi are the two busiest US visa posts in India — hundreds of thousands of interviews annually. But the experience at each is quite different.
The trick most people miss
You can apply at any of the five consulates — Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata — regardless of where you live. Wait times differ by 6+ months. Check all five before booking.
Current Wait Times by Visa Type
Wait times as of January 2026:
F1 Student Visa Wait Times
Current appointment availability by consulate
| Delhi |
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| Hyderabad |
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| Chennai |
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| Kolkata |
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| Mumbai |
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Takeaway: Delhi is the clear winner for F1 — nearly 3x shorter than Mumbai.
B1/B2 Tourist Visa Wait Times
Current appointment availability by consulate
| Kolkata |
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| Hyderabad |
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| Chennai |
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| Delhi |
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| Mumbai |
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Takeaway: Skip Mumbai and Delhi entirely. Kolkata offers waits 3-4x shorter.
H1B Work Visa Wait Times
Current appointment availability by consulate
| Mumbai |
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| Hyderabad |
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| Delhi |
N/A
Unavailable
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Critical: Since January 2025, all first-time H1B interviews are processed exclusively at Hyderabad. For logistics, hotels, and the step-by-step process, see our complete H1B stamping guide for Hyderabad.
Picked your consulate?
Good. Now practice the actual interview.
Mumbai Consulate: What to Expect
C-49, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). One of the busiest US visa posts in the world. Built for volume.
The Interview Process
Mumbai operates two massive waiting halls, each fitting up to 1,000 applicants. Queues are organized by language — English, Hindi, Telugu, Marathi, Malayalam, Gujarati. Pick the English queue. It moves fastest.
Locker facilities inside cost ₹50 per item for phones and electronics. However, the queue for lockers can add 30+ minutes. Experienced applicants recommend leaving all electronics at your hotel.
Heads up: Guys outside will offer to hold your phone for ₹500-2,000. Don't.
Getting There
~7 km from BOM airport. Uber/Ola: ₹150-400, 15-30 min. Metro Aqua Line 3 goes to BKC station, but then it's a 25-min walk.
Where to Stay
- • Budget (₹1,500-3,500): Hotel BKC Prime, FabHotel Embassy Park BKC
- • Mid-range (₹4,000-8,000): Lemon Tree Hotel Kalina BKC — popular among visa applicants
- • Luxury: Trident Bandra Kurla, Sofitel Mumbai BKC — walking distance
Best months: October–February. Skip monsoon (June–September) — flooding happens.
Delhi Embassy: What to Expect
Shantipath, Chanakyapuri — New Delhi's diplomatic enclave. Visa entrance at Gate 6, Andre Malraux Marg. Smaller than Mumbai, but still handles serious volume.
Unique to Delhi
A quirk of Delhi: you can hear other interviews from the waiting area. Intimidating? Maybe. But also free last-minute prep — you'll hear exactly what officers are asking that day.
Delhi has no official lockers — annoying, but manageable. Private shopkeepers outside charge ₹50-100 per phone, no receipt. They do return them, but just leave your phone at the hotel.
There's a small refreshment area inside (coffee/tea for ₹100 — "not good but needed" according to applicants).
B1/B2 Dropbox: Delhi Only
Since March 2024
All B1/B2 dropbox appointments → Delhi only. If you qualify for interview waiver, this is your one option.
Getting There
~14 km from DEL airport. Taxi: ₹250-400, 15-25 min. Yellow Line metro to Lok Kalyan Marg, then 2.4 km by auto.
No parking anywhere near the embassy. Plan accordingly.
Where to Stay
- • Budget (₹960-2,500): International Youth Hostel (5 Nyaya Marg — very close), Saltstayz Select Malcha
- • Mid-range: Hotel Diplomat, Samrat Hotel (Chanakyapuri)
- • Luxury: ITC Maurya, Taj Palace Delhi
Best months: October–March. Skip April–June — 40-45°C is no joke.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Mumbai | Delhi | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 Student Wait Time | 3 months | 1 month | Delhi |
| B1/B2 Tourist Wait Time | 7 months | 6.5-9 months | Tie* |
| H1B Work Visa | 1 month | Not available | Mumbai |
| B1/B2 Dropbox | Not available | Available | Delhi |
| Interview Windows | 44 | 12-15 | Mumbai |
| Daily Capacity | 1,000+ | 150-200 | Mumbai |
| Lockers | Yes (₹50) | No | Mumbai |
| Airport Distance | 7 km | 14 km | Mumbai |
| Budget Hotels | ₹1,500-3,500 | ₹960-2,500 | Delhi |
| Metro Access | Good (Aqua Line) | Partial (2.4 km walk) | Mumbai |
*For B1/B2, consider Kolkata (2.5 months) instead of either Mumbai or Delhi.
How to Choose Your Consulate
Short version — what to pick:
F1 For Students
Choose Delhi — 1 month wait vs 3 months in Mumbai. The shorter wait gives you more buffer for program start dates and potential administrative processing. For the complete F1 process from scheduling to visa pickup, see our F1 interview guide for India.
B1/B2 For Tourists & Business Travelers
Skip both. Choose Kolkata — 2.5 months vs 7+ in Mumbai/Delhi. If you qualify for dropbox (interview waiver), then Delhi is your only option. Parents visiting children in the US? Check our dedicated guide for parents.
H1B For Work Visa Holders
First-time H1B: Hyderabad only (mandatory since January 2025) — see our Hyderabad stamping guide. Renewals: Mumbai offers the shortest waits. Delhi doesn't process petition-based visas.
Recent Policy Changes to Know
- ● January 2025: Only 1 free reschedule per appointment. Second reschedule requires full fee repayment (₹14,000+ for B1/B2).
- ● March 2024: All B1/B2 dropbox appointments consolidated to Delhi exclusively.
- ● January 2025: All first-time H1B and L1 interviews centralized at Hyderabad.
- ● October 2025: New $250 Visa Integrity Fee for most nonimmigrant categories.
Preparation is What Matters
Here's what most applicants get wrong: weeks obsessing over which consulate, then walking in unprepared.
The questions are the same everywhere. Same 214(b) burden. Same scrutiny of your ties. Same 2-3 minutes to make your case.
What Actually Happens
Delhi, June 2025: F1 approved in 40 seconds. CS undergrad knew exactly why that program. Quick questions on academics, courses, finances — done.
Mumbai, May 2025: F1 rejected in 10 seconds. MSIS at UIUC. Officer asked "Why this university?" — 214(b) slip before the answer was even finished.
Same visa. Same timeframe. One walked out with a stamp, one didn't.
Reading questions off a list ≠ answering when someone's staring you down. You need to practice out loud.
Practice with AI Mock Interview
Permito simulates the real thing — same questions, same pressure, instant feedback on what you're getting wrong.
- • Real-time voice conversation
- • Follow-up questions based on your answers
- • Detailed feedback after each session
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
TL;DR by visa type:
- → F1 students: Delhi (3x shorter wait)
- → B1/B2 tourists: Neither — try Kolkata
- → H1B renewals: Mumbai
- → First-time H1B: Hyderabad (mandatory)
- → B1/B2 dropbox: Delhi (only option)
The consulate affects your wait time. It doesn't affect approval — that's on you and those 2-3 minutes at the window.