NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Washington, DC, June 11, 2026 — The U.S. Department of State will launch a six-month pilot program allowing certain tourist and business visa applicants to pay an additional $750 fee for an expedited visa interview appointment, potentially securing an interview within ten business days.
The new fee, announced in a Temporary Final Rule published by the State Department, will take effect on July 1, 2026, and remain in place through December 31, 2026. The program applies only to applicants seeking B1/B2 visitor visas and will be available in limited quantities at selected U.S. embassies and consulates overseas.
The expedited appointment fee will be charged in addition to the existing $185 Machine Readable Visa (MRV) application fee, bringing the total cost for applicants who choose the premium service to $935.
According to the State Department, the initiative is designed as a “proof-of-concept” to gauge demand for a fee-based alternative to long visa interview wait times at certain consular posts, some of which currently exceed a year. The Department said the program comes as the United States prepares for major international events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, both of which are expected to drive increased demand for visitor visas.
Under the pilot, eligible applicants will first schedule a regular visa interview appointment. If expedited slots are available, they may then choose an earlier appointment within ten business days by paying the additional fee online. The Department emphasized that expedited appointments will be limited and subject to availability.
Officials stressed that paying the fee does not guarantee visa approval and does not accelerate any other stage of the visa adjudication process, including security clearances or administrative processing. Applicants must still meet all eligibility requirements for a B1/B2 visa.
The Department said the fee reflects the estimated cost of administering the new service, calculated using its activity-based Cost of Service Model. The agency projects approximately 25,000 applicants could use the expedited option during the pilot period.
Currently, applicants seeking faster appointments may request expedited interviews at no charge in limited circumstances, including humanitarian emergencies, urgent travel needs, or situations deemed in the U.S. national interest. The State Department said those avenues will remain available and that consular officers will continue to have discretion to grant no-fee expedited appointments when warranted.
The Department argues that the new fee-based system could reduce the administrative burden created by existing expedite requests, which often require individual review by consular staff. Officials also said the pilot would help gather data on whether travelers are willing to pay for faster access to interview appointments.
