Delays in obtaining an appointment US visa interview in Mexico They have become a real obstacle for those who plan to travel. However, not all consulates have the same waiting times.
Although the United States Embassy has implemented measures to speed up the procedures, the total regularization of the system has not yet been achieved and this has caused that, in several consular offices, appointments for first-time applicants continue to show significant delays.
Despite this, the most recent information on the availability of appointments reveals that there are consulates where the waiting time to process the application for the first time B1/B2 tourist visa is considerably lower, opening up a faster alternative for applicants.
Which consulate processes the visa the fastest?
The State Department reports that, in the majority of United States consulates in Mexico, The waiting time to process the B1/B2 tourist visa ranges between 200 and 600 days.
According to updated data from the United States Department of State, the consulates that stand out with the shortest waiting time are:
- Mexico City: April 9, 2026
- Nogales: April 15, 2026
These dates show the strong existing demand and the importance of planning ahead, although they could present slight variations, it is best to schedule your appointment as soon as possible to guarantee a space in the consular calendar.
Tips to shorten the wait
- Constantly review the appointment system, since it is possible to advance the interview if spaces become available.
- Evaluate different consular offices, whenever permitted by the area of residence or the type of visa.
- Complete the application and payment as soon as possible, to be ready as soon as there is availability.
- Check if you can apply for the interview exemption, especially in cases of renewal.
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Why has the US visa process been so delayed?
The procedures to obtain or renew the US visa have been delayed due to several changes implemented during the second term of Donald Trump. These include: the obligation to interviews to renew child visaswhich increased the workload at the consulates; he increase of 250 dollars in the cost of the tourist visa; the impossibility of completing the CAS process and the consular interview on the same daysince now they must be separated for at least 48 hours; and a new payment scheme that limits operations to Scotiabank, BanBajío and SPEIeliminating Banamex as an option.
These measures have generated greater demand, slower procedures and considerable saturation in the US consulates in Mexico.
YC