The global wait times for U.S. visas remain inconsistent and often lengthy in 2025, especially for general visitor and business visas. For travellers from some African and Asian sending countries — including Nigeria and Ghana — B1/B2 visa appointments can take many months to secure. The wait varies a lot depending on the consulate and visa category.
For instance, in parts of Africa, the typical timeline for tourist/business visas (B1/B2) ranges from 6 to 9.5 months, depending on the local post, while student, exchange, and many work-visa categories tend to be processed faster — sometimes within 2 to 3 months if slots are available. Other regions show similar variance: in some consulates visa seekers report wait times of 3–4 months, while others see delays up to 9–11 months or more, particularly for visitor visas.
The discrepancy shows clearly that visa type matters: visitor/business visas remain under heavy demand and backlog, while student and petition-based visas (work, study, exchange) tend to get faster scheduling. Seasonal peaks, local staffing, and high numbers of applications continue to affect availability, making early planning essential.
What This Means in Practice
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If you’re applying for a tourist or business visa (B1/B2), expect delays — possibly many months from payment to interview slot.
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Students, exchange visitors, and applicants under work or petition-based categories often get faster appointments, but slots are still competitive.
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Flexibility helps: being open to different consulate locations (if possible) may improve your chances — wait times vary significantly by city.
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Early application and readiness help: submit documents promptly and check slot portals frequently if you want to avoid major delays.
Source: Travelobiz
As visa delays continue globally, careful planning is more important than ever. At RoutePal, we keep an up-to-date overview of wait times worldwide, and we help you choose the best consulate, prepare application documents properly, and time your application to increase chances of success.