process a visa to enter the United States It can become a long process, mainly due to the delay in getting an appointment at the consulates. In Mexico, these waiting times vary depending on the city and demand, which has caused applicants in some areas of the country to face waits of several months or even more than a year.
Although the United States Embassy has begun to apply measures to speed up the procedures, the appointment system for those applying for the visa for the first time has not yet been completely regularized, and in certain consulates the times continue to be long.
According to the State Department, in most US consulates located in Mexico, The wait to obtain a B1/B2 tourist visa is between 200 and 600 days.
Which consulate takes the longest to grant an appointment to process the visa?
According to updated data from the United States Department of State, the consulate with the longest waiting time in Mexico currently is Ciudad Juárez where applicants for a tourist visa would have to wait until March 11, 2027 to get an appointment. This figure may vary weekly, but it remains one of the most saturated points in the country.
Other consulates with considerably long waiting times are those in Ciudad de Mexico (December 3, 2026), Monterrey (November 13, 2026) y Hermosillo (August 20, 2026).
Authorities recommend planning in advance for any trip to the United States that requires a visa, and periodically checking the wait times published on the official US government website, as these are frequently updated.
Why has the US visa process been so delayed?
During President Donald Trump’s second term, The US government has implemented a series of changes in immigration processes which have caused a considerable increase in waiting times to obtain or renew the visa. These modifications seek to strengthen security controls and adjust the system to new tax provisions, but have generated significant delays for Mexican applicants.
Among the most notable measures is the Mandatory interviews for the renewal of child visas. Since September 2025, minors who could previously renew without appearing at the consulate must now attend in person, which has increased the workload at consular offices.
Likewise, a increase in the cost of the tourist visaalthough it has not yet come into force. The adjustment contemplates an increase of 250 additional dollars, which would raise the total price of the procedure from 185 to 435 dollars. This modification is part of the federal law The One Big Beautiful Bill, included in the fiscal agenda of the current US administration.
Another relevant change affects the scheduling of appointments, it is no longer possible to carry out the procedure at the Applicant Service Center (CAS) and the consular interview on the same day; Now, a minimum interval of 48 hours is required between both appointments, which lengthens the processes and reduces the availability of dates.
Finally, since July 2025, a new scheme for the payment of consular fees was established. At the momentpayments can only be made at Scotiabank or BanBajío, as well as by SPEI electronic transfer. Operations in Banamex were no longer available, which has caused confusion and adjustments in procedures for many applicants.
Together, these measures have led to a substantial increase in waiting times and demand for available appointments. The US consulates in Mexico face a high operational burden, and although authorities have promised to improve the efficiency of the system, the new provisions have complicated management for thousands of applicants.
YC