U.S. Pilot Lets Some Visa Applicants Pay $750 To Fast-Track B1/B2 Interview Slots

The U.S. State Department has launched a temporary pilot program that allows certain B1/B2 (tourist and business) visa applicants to pay a $750 fee for expedited interview appointments, according to a rule published in the Federal Register. The six-month pilot runs from July 1 through December 31, 2026 and will be available only at selected U.S. embassies and consulates.

What the Pilot Does — And What It Doesn’t

What It Does:

• Offers earlier interview appointments for participating applicants who pay the $750 expedited scheduling fee.
• Moves paying applicants toward the front of the interview queue if a slot opens.
• Provides a predictable, paid alternative to ad hoc expedited requests that require case-by-case review.

What It Does Not Do:

• It does not guarantee visa approval or shorten background checks or administrative processing.
• It does not increase overall visa-processing capacity at consulates.
• The fee is non-refundable even if the applicant cancels, misses the interview, or is denied a visa.

How It Works

The expedited charge applies only to interview scheduling. Applicants must complete standard application steps before requesting an upgrade. The typical flow is:

1. Submit the DS-160 and pay the standard $185 visa application fee.
2. Book a regular (standard) interview slot first.
3. If the applicant’s post participates, request an expedited appointment upgrade.
4. If an expedited slot opens, it is generally scheduled within about 10 business days and will be held for only a very short window (typically 5 to 10 minutes) while the $750 payment is processed.
5. Pay the $750 non-refundable expedited fee within that window to confirm the slot; otherwise the appointment is released to another applicant.

Availability, Limits and Practical Considerations

The number of expedited slots will be capped and not all embassies or consulates will participate. That means even willing payers may not secure a fast-track appointment. Because the payment affects only scheduling, applicants subject to additional administrative processing will not see those background checks accelerated by this fee.

The logo of the U.S. State Department etched onto glass, photographed on July 19, 2019, in Washington, D.C.

The State Department estimates it processes roughly 25,700 expedited appointment requests per year, generating about $19.3 million in related fees. Officials say the pilot will test demand for a paid fast-track model and whether it helps reduce ad hoc, resource-intensive expedited requests.

Costs and Who Might Use It

An applicant who uses the paid service will face a combined upfront cost of $935 (the $185 standard application fee plus the $750 expedited scheduling fee). The option is most likely to appeal to:

• Business travelers with urgent, time-sensitive trips
• Tourists with firm travel dates or event tickets
• Visitors attending major events in the U.S.

It will be less helpful for applicants whose posts do not participate, those who require further administrative processing, or those unwilling or unable to pay the additional fee.

Expert Reaction and Context

Some experts warned the pilot’s timing could limit its usefulness for near-term events. For example, Alan Fyall of the University of Central Florida told Forbes the program “comes way too late” to help many fans trying to secure visas before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. U.S. tourism leaders have long cautioned that lengthy visa waits hurt the country’s competitiveness; making entry easier can attract more visitors.

Where To Find More Information

The State Department will publish a list of participating embassies and consulates on its website. Applicants should check their post’s page for local availability, rules, and any special instructions about requesting and paying for expedited slots.

Note: The expedited scheduling fee affects only the timing of interviews and does not alter the substantive visa adjudication process.