The United States Department of State will launch a pilot programme offering a premium expedited service for business and tourist visa applicants, allowing faster interview appointments for an additional USD 750 fee.
Under the six-month pilot, eligible B1/B2 visa applicants will be able to secure an interview appointment within 10 business days at select US embassies and consulates. The programme will run from July 1 to December 31, 2026, according to a temporary final rule published in the Federal Register on June 9, 2026.
The $750 fee is an optional premium add-on to the standard nonimmigrant visa application fee of $185. Applicants who opt in will pay a total of $935. The State Department said the service will be offered only at limited posts and in limited quantities, with participating missions to be announced on travel.state.gov before the July 1 launch.
Officials stressed that the fee only guarantees faster access to an interview slot and does not affect visa processing or approval chances. “The B visa appointment expedite fee provides an earlier appointment date only – it will not accelerate visa adjudication or processing,” the department said. It also noted that paying the fee “does not guarantee that a visa will be issued”.
The new service is intended to create a paid route for applicants who do not qualify for existing emergency or mission-supported expedite channels but still want an earlier appointment. The State Department described it as a “proof-of-concept to assess demand for expedited visa interview appointments and to test demand from applicants seeking to bypass longer wait times”.
Applicants must first complete regular requirements, including the DS-160 form, payment of the $185 fee, and scheduling of a regular appointment, before choosing the expedited paid option where available. The $750 fee is non-refundable if the appointment is missed or cancelled.
The pilot comes as wait times for visa interviews have stretched for months in some locations. In Abuja, applicants currently face an average wait time of 11.5 months for B1/B2 visa interviews.
