Expedited U.S. visa interviews arrive July 1—$750 extra

expedited U.S. – Starting July 1, a U.S. pilot program will let some travelers pay an extra $750 to get a visa interview appointment within 10 business days for B-1 or B-2 visas. The faster track won’t change eligibility rules or guarantee approval, and the program ends Dec. 3

On July 1, a long wait for a U.S. visa interview could become optional for some travelers—if they’re willing to add an extra $750 to their application.

The U.S. State Department will launch a pilot program that offers applicants for B-1 or B-2 nonimmigrant visas the option to “skip ahead” of other applicants when applying for an interview appointment. Under the new paid track, interview scheduling will be completed within 10 business days.

For many applicants, the alternative is far less predictable. Interview appointments for B-1 or B-2 visas are normally distributed on a first-availability basis, and that can mean weeks—or months—of waiting.

The cost is explicit: the $750 payment is optional and added to the visa application process. The underlying visa application already carries a $185 fee, bringing the total to $935 for those who choose the expedited option.

Speed, however, doesn’t equal certainty. The program does not change eligibility requirements and does not guarantee a visa.

In a temporary final rule (TFR) published in the Federal Register, the State Department said applicants who pay for an expedited appointment will still face the standard visa eligibility and processing requirements, including any administrative processing deemed necessary.

The paid interview track will be available at U.S. consulates and embassies to be determined by the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs.

The State Department also framed the change as a pressure-relief measure for staff. The TFR said the limited rollout will create a fee-based mechanism that reduces strain on consular resources by bypassing two steps: the requirement for applicants to justify their need for an expedited interview and the requirement that consular staff review each expedited request.

The department noted that there are currently three ways applicants may seek an expedited interview appointment. each requiring involvement from consular and mission staff. The Referral process allows a U.S. government official on a diplomatic mission to vouch for an applicant. The Priority Appointment Request lets consular staff request an earlier date for an applicant, at their discretion. And the Applicant-Requested Expedite Request allows individuals under extreme circumstances to apply for an earlier date. with the timing determined by a consular manager.

The new service will run only during the pilot period. The program ends on Dec. 31, when it will be reviewed for potential revisions or continuation.

This is not the first time the U.S. government has tested whether a fee-based shortcut can work inside immigration-related processing. In 2023. the Department of Homeland Security rolled out premium processing for F-1 students applying for optional practical training (OPT) and STEM OPT—a work authorization for students who studied in the U.S.

U.S. visa B-1 visa B-2 visa expedited interview $750 fee State Department Federal Register consulates embassies visa application fee administrative processing premium processing