US to test paid service for expedited B1/B2 visa appointments

US Department of State introduces a $750 fee to secure interview slots within ten business days

The US Department of State announced the creation of a "Nonimmigrant Visa Appointment Expedite Fee" to test a paid service for travelers seeking quicker interview slots. According to a temporary rule published by the US Department of State in the Federal Register, certain B1/B2 nonimmigrant visa applicants will have the option to pay a $750 fee to obtain an expedited interview appointment.

The pilot program is scheduled to run from July 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, and aims to assess consumer demand for a paid scheduling mechanism at overseas embassies and consulates with high wait times.

While a public comment period remains open until July 9, 2026, US authorities intend to launch the test on schedule at select locations. The US Department of State specified that the list of participating consular posts will be made available on its official travel website, travel.state.gov.

Shorter wait times but no guarantee of US B1/B2 visa approval

The program is designed to let eligible business and tourist travelers secure an interview appointment within ten business days after paying the expedite fee, subject to slot availability. However, federal authorities emphasize that this mechanism is solely for scheduling convenience.

The US Department of State mentions in its official filing:

"Now is the time to test the demand for and provision of a new fee-based expedited interview appointment service."

It also notes that the global median wait time for nonimmigrant visas sits around 30 days, though some international posts exceed 12 months.

The government agency clarified that paying the premium fee does not translate into an automatic or guaranteed "express visa." Applicants who utilize the service must still fulfill all standard eligibility requirements and undergo standard evaluations by consular officers. Any required administrative processing after the interview will follow regular, non-expedited timelines. Furthermore, the US Department of State confirmed it will continue to grant emergency expedited appointments at no cost for urgent humanitarian reasons or matters of national interest.

Total US B1/B2 Visa consular application costs to exceed $900

The newly introduced $750 premium does not replace the standard cost of applying for a US visa. Instead, it serves as an optional add-on fee. Because the current standard application fee for a B1/B2 visa is $185, travelers opting for the faster interview service face a minimum consular cost of $935 per applicant.

This financial total excludes external variables such as courier document delivery fees or localized processing charges.

This pilot program launches amid major efforts by the American government to handle massive traveler crowds for global athletic competitions. To streamline entry pathways for sports fans attending the FIFA World Cup games in the United States, authorities previously established the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System, or FIFA PASS, as reported by iVisa.

The US Department of State will collect and analyze application data throughout the six-month pilot window to determine if the paid expedited program will be permanently maintained, structurally modified, or entirely discontinued.