Travelers Can Pay to Speed Up US Visa Interviews

Nicole Geri, Unsplash

The State Department is rolling out a new premium visa service that lets some travelers pay extra to get an interview faster. The pilot program starts July 1 and runs through Dec. 31, 2026.

Under the plan, certain applicants can pay an additional $750 to secure expedited visa interviews. That fee comes on top of the standard $185 nonimmigrant visa fee, bringing the total to about $935.

The program applies to people seeking B1/B2 visas. These are visas used for business, tourism, or medical travel to the United States.

How the Premium Visa Service Works

Applicants who pay the fee can get an interview appointment within 10 business days. Some sources describe the window as within 10 days of payment. The service is designed to help people skip long waits for a B1/B2 visa interview. Wait times can stretch for months, and in some places much longer.

For example, the next open appointment for a B1/B2 visa interview is 16 months away in Abu Dhabi. In Istanbul, it is less than half a month away. The State Department calls the offering an optional premium addition. It will be limited in quantity and only available at certain embassies and consulates.

The agency says it will identify the participating posts before the program begins. Those locations are expected to be announced prior to July 1. Officials stress that paying the fee does not guarantee a visa will be approved. It also does not speed up any other steps, including time needed for administrative processing.

The rule behind the program was published in the Federal Register on June 9. It is described as a temporary final rule. The premium option lets applicants move to the front of the appointment line. They can do so without providing a written justification or seeking other special review processes.

Testing Demand Ahead of Major Events

The State Department says the pilot is meant to test demand for an expedited interview option. It comes as the United States prepares to host large international events.

The agency pointed to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. The World Cup alone is expected to draw more than 1 million foreign visitors.

“In the wake of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, the Department has determined that now is the time to test the demand for and provision of a new fee-based expedited interview appointment service,” the department said in the Federal Register notice.

The State Department estimates that 25,705 applicants will buy the premium service each year. It projects the program will bring in about $19.3 million in annual revenue.

After the pilot period ends on Dec. 31, the agency will review the results. It will then decide whether the service is worth continuing or changing.

Recent Visa Policy Changes

The pilot is one of several recent visa and immigration changes under the Trump administration. According to The Hill, the new service arrives alongside other measures affecting foreign travelers.

The State Department has begun requiring visitors from 50 countries, including Cuba, Uganda, and Venezuela, to post bonds of up to $15,000. Those bonds are intended to discourage visa overstays.

The administration has also required some foreign applicants to disclose years of personal history. That includes details such as their social media accounts.

Separately, the government launched a program offering permanent residence and a potential path to citizenship for a $1 million fee. Reporting from Newsmax noted these steps as part of the broader policy shift.

The expedited interview service stands apart from those measures. It focuses only on the speed of scheduling an interview, not on the final visa decision.

What Applicants Should Know

The premium service is aimed at B1/B2 visa applicants at select posts. People applying in other visa categories will not be able to use it during the pilot. The State Department says further details are still coming. Information about eligibility and participating locations is expected before the program takes effect.

Travelers who do not pay the fee can still apply through the normal process. Their appointments will follow standard visa wait times at each location. The standard $185 application fee still applies to all B1/B2 applicants. The $750 charge is the only added cost for those choosing the faster track.

The program reflects the State Department’s effort to manage rising interest in US travel. With major sporting events on the horizon, officials say the test will help measure how many people want quicker access.

For now, the US visa fast-track program remains a limited, six-month trial. Its future will depend on how applicants respond between July and December 2026.

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