Students
Many students start in the fall, so interview waits often grow before it. Here is how the typical wait moved, and what to do about it.
The middle next available appointment across 186 embassies for Students & exchange visitors (F, M, J), at each State Department update.
Latest (October 2026): about 15 days. After a few more monthly updates this page will show the shortest and longest months.
We update interview appointment wait time information monthly. Average wait times do not guarantee the availability of an appointment.
Official data from: U.S. Department of State, Global Visa Wait Times (updated 5 Oct 2026)
“Next available appointment” is when a new applicant could expect a slot; “Average wait” is how long people waited last month, from paying the fee to the interview. The State Department gives “Average wait” for visitor visas (B1/B2) only where the next appointment is more than three months away. “NA” means no figure is given. “Under 15 days” is what they print as “< 0.5 Month”. Months are counted as 30 days. These are estimates, not promises: embassies release new slots often, so check the embassy's own website. Unofficial site.
As soon as you have your I-20 (or DS-2019) and your embassy lets you book. Waits for student visas often grow in the months before the fall term, so booking early gives you room if something goes wrong.
The State Department says an F-1 visa can be issued up to 120 days before your program starts, and you can usually book the interview earlier than that. Check your embassy's own page for its rules.
Many students start in the fall, so many apply at the same time, mostly in late spring and summer. The wait numbers on this page show how the typical wait moved in the months we have.
Unofficial. Waits are estimates, not promises. Latest update 5 Oct 2026.