The United States government has announced a new premium expedited service for foreign nationals applying for business and tourist visas, offering faster access to interview appointments for an additional fee.
According to the US State Department, the optional service will be available to eligible B1 and B2 visa applicants under a pilot program scheduled to run from July 1 to December 31, 2026.
Applicants who opt for the fast-track service will pay an extra $750 on top of the standard $185 visa application fee, bringing the total cost to $935.
Under the initiative, travelers who pay for the premium service will be able to secure visa interview appointments within 10 days at selected US embassies and consulates.
The State Department said the program is aimed at addressing lengthy interview backlogs that have become a challenge for travelers worldwide.
“Global demand for visa appointments remains high, with wait times in some locations extending for several months or even more than a year,” the department noted.
Officials stressed that the premium fee only guarantees quicker access to an interview appointment and does not influence the outcome of a visa application.
“Payment of the expedited scheduling fee does not guarantee visa issuance. All applicants must still meet the requirements for visa approval under US immigration laws,” the department stated.
The agency also disclosed that applicants who secure an expedited interview slot will have a limited period to complete payment.
According to the notice, travelers will be given between five and 10 minutes to pay the non-refundable fee after reserving an appointment.
“If the fee is not paid within the allotted timeframe, he or she will lose the hold, and the expedited appointment will be reopened to other applicants,” the notice explained.
The State Department estimates that approximately 25,705 travelers will take advantage of the premium service each year, generating an estimated $19.3 million in additional revenue.
Authorities said details of the embassies and consulates participating in the pilot scheme will be announced before the program officially begins.This version is written in a standard news style and includes quotations attributed to the State Department based on the information provided.
