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U.S. State Department Proposes $750 Premium Fee for Expedited Visitor Visa Interviews
- The U.S. Department of State has released implementation guidance for its expedited B visa interview pilot, including eligibility requirements, appointment procedures, payment rules and participating consular locations.
- The Department of State introduced a temporary pilot program allowing eligible B-1/B-2 visa applicants to pay an additional $750 fee to secure a visa interview appointment within 10 business days, subject to availability, through Dec. 31, 2026.
State Department Releases Implementation Guidance for Expedited B Visa Interview Pilot
Following publication of the temporary final rule in June 2026, the U.S. Department of State released additional operational guidance for the expedited visitor visa interview pilot on Aug. 18, 2026. Eligible B visa applicants must first schedule a standard visa interview appointment and pay the applicable MRV fee before accessing the paid expedited appointment option. The Department also clarified that applicants whose emergency appointment requests were denied may still be eligible to purchase a paid expedited appointment.
Participating posts will offer a limited number of expedited interview appointments, and applicants who select an expedited slot must complete payment within 10 minutes to secure the appointment. The Department also confirmed that expedited appointments cannot be rescheduled, missed appointments result in fee forfeiture and participation in the pilot does not guarantee visa issuance.
Participating Locations
The pilot is currently available at U.S. Mission Canada (Embassy and all consulates), U.S. Mission Mexico (Embassy and all consulates), and the U.S. Embassies in Bogotá, Guatemala City, San José, and Tegucigalpa. The Department of State indicated that additional locations may be added during the pilot period.
How the Expedited Appointment Process Works
- Applicants must first pay the standard nonimmigrant visa (MRV) fee and schedule a regular B visa interview appointment.
- Applicants with an existing appointment and a valid, unexpired MRV receipt may be eligible to access the paid expedited option.
- If expedited appointments are available, applicants can select an interview slot within 10 business days and pay an additional $750 fee to secure the appointment.
- The expedited appointment fee is separate from the standard visa application fee and is non-refundable.
- Applicants who purchase an expedited appointment may be eligible for certain premium passport/visa delivery options, where available, at no additional cost.
- Participation in the program does not guarantee visa approval or faster adjudication following the interview.
Background on Expedited Visitor Visa Interviews
In June 2026, the U.S. Department of State issued a temporary final rule that introduced a new $750 premium fee for expedited B‑1/B‑2 (business and tourism) visa interview appointments. The rule establishes that the fee provides faster access to interview appointments; it does not change visa processing times or approval outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- New premium option: Applicants for B‑1/B‑2 visas can pay an additional $750 to secure an interview within 10 business days.
Limited availability: The Department of State offers the expedited service only at select consulates and limits appointments based on capacity.
Pilot timeline: The pilot runs from July 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2026, while the Department evaluates demand and program usage.
Additional cost: The premium fee supplements existing nonimmigrant visa fees rather than replacing them.
The Department of State introduced this temporary measure to address ongoing visa interview backlogs and growing demand for faster processing, testing whether applicants and employers will pay for quicker access despite continued long wait times at many consulates.
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