India, Oct. 15 -- Wait times for US visitor visa interviews have surged worldwide as consular staffing declines and demand for travel remains high, raising concerns for tourists, business travelers and families planning trips to the country. Indian travelers are also facing lengthy appointment delays, according to a report by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO).

The average global wait for a visitor visa interview increased to 201 days in fiscal year 2025, compared with 26 days in fiscal year 2019, the watchdog said. In a blog post published on October 14, the GAO warned that prolonged waits may be contributing to the US tourism industry's struggle to return to pre-pandemic levels.

The findings come as the US continues to proc...