US Visa Embassy Locations & VAC Centers (2026 Guide)

US visa interviews are conducted at designated US embassies and consulates. Before the interview, most applicants must visit a Visa Application Centre (VAC) for biometrics collection. Understanding the difference between these two locations, and knowing which one to use, is essential for a smooth appointment process.

Last updated: June 2026

VAC vs Embassy — Key Difference

Both appointments are booked through the same US Travel Docs portal. They must be completed in order — VAC first, then embassy interview.

US Embassy and Consulate Locations in India

US Embassy — New Delhi

• The main US Embassy for India
• Serves applicants from Delhi, NCR, and northern India
• Final interview location for all embassy-jurisdiction applicants

US Consulate — Mumbai

• Serves western India applicants — Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Goa, and Madhya Pradesh
• One of the highest-volume consulates in India

US Consulate — Chennai

• Serves south India applicants — Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh

US Consulate — Hyderabad

• Serves Telangana and surrounding regions
• High volume of IT and H1B applicants given the tech hub status of Hyderabad

US Consulate — Kolkata

• Serves eastern India — West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and northeast states

VAC (Biometrics) Center Locations in India

VAC centers for US visa biometrics in India are operated by service providers and located in major cities. Biometrics appointments are available in:

• New Delhi
• Mumbai
• Chennai
• Hyderabad
• Kolkata

Additional VAC locations may be available in other major cities. Check the current list on the US Travel Docs India portal when booking.

Can You Apply at Any Location?

Indian applicants can generally choose any of the five embassy or consulate locations for their interview, regardless of their city of residence. If the nearest consulate has very long appointment wait times, checking availability at other locations is a practical way to get an earlier slot.

The VAC appointment must be at a centre in the same country as your embassy or consulate interview — you cannot do biometrics in one country and interview in another.

The Appointment Flow

1. Complete DS-160 form at ceac.state.gov
2. Pay the MRV fee through US Travel Docs India portal
3. Create a profile on the scheduling portal
4. Book VAC (biometrics) appointment at your nearest VAC center
5. Book embassy or consulate interview at your chosen location
6. Attend VAC appointment first, then embassy interview

Which Location Has the Shortest Wait Times?

Appointment availability changes constantly. During peak seasons (May–August), all five Indian locations experience backlogs. Hyderabad and Kolkata sometimes have shorter wait times than Mumbai and Delhi during high-demand periods, but this changes week to week. Check all five locations on the scheduling portal when you are ready to book.

US Visa Locations Outside India

For applicants in other countries, the US maintains embassies and consulates worldwide. In all cases:

• VAC appointments are booked first for biometrics
• Embassy interview is booked separately through the same portal
• Both appointments are required before a visa decision is made

Check the US Department of State's official embassy finder for specific locations in your country.

Related US Visa Guides

• US Visa Complete Guide
• US Visa Appointment Booking
• US Visa Processing Time
• US Visa Documents Checklist
• US Visa Interview Questions

Official References

• US Travel Docs India — Appointment Booking Portal
• US Embassy New Delhi — Official Website
• US Department of State — Visa Wait Times by Location

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for a US visa at any consulate in India regardless of where I live?

Yes. Indian applicants are not restricted to the consulate nearest to their home city. You can choose any of the five locations — New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, or Kolkata — based on appointment availability. Choosing the location with the earliest available slot is a practical strategy.

What is the difference between the VAC and the US Embassy for visa purposes?

The VAC (Visa Application Centre) is where your biometrics — fingerprints and photograph — are collected. The US Embassy or Consulate is where your visa interview takes place and where the final approval or refusal decision is made. Both appointments are mandatory and must be done in order.

Do I need separate appointments for biometrics and the interview?

Yes. A VAC biometrics appointment and an embassy or consulate interview appointment are two separate bookings made through the same US Travel Docs portal. The VAC appointment must be completed before the embassy interview.

Which Indian city has the shortest US visa appointment wait time?

Wait times change frequently and vary by season. During peak periods, all five locations experience backlogs. Check the current availability across all five locations on the US Travel Docs portal when you are ready to book — the shortest wait varies week by week.

How do I find the nearest VAC center for US visa biometrics?

VAC center locations are listed on the US Travel Docs portal for your country during the appointment booking process. In India, centers are available in all five major embassy and consulate cities. Check the portal for the most current list of available locations.