US Introduces KSh 97,000 Fast-Track Visa Interviews – Who Can Apply?
The US Department of State has launched a pilot programme allowing some applicants for B1/B2 visitor visas to pay an additional fee for a faster interview appointment.
The voluntary scheme will run until 31 December 2026 and is available only at selected US embassies and consulates. The programme applies only to B1/B2 visas for business and tourism. It does not cover employment, student, dependent or immigrant visa categories, including H-1B, L-1, F-1 and H-4 visas.
Immigration lawyer Rahul Reddy said the Department of State has not published a list of participating countries, so applicants should check the official visa scheduling system or the State Department’s website to confirm whether the service is available at their chosen location. Applicants who have booked a new appointment or already hold one with a valid Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee receipt may choose the expedited option by paying an additional fee of $750 for each appointment.
The fee is separate from the standard $185 MRV charge. In return, applicants are offered an interview within 10 business days, subject to availability. Once an applicant selects a paid expedited appointment, the $750 fee must be paid within 10 minutes to secure the booking.
The appointment cannot be rescheduled, and applicants who fail to attend will lose the fee, which is non-refundable. The Department of State said the programme does not affect the visa decision process. Applicants using the expedited service will still undergo the same security checks and eligibility assessment as those using the standard appointment system. The additional payment only reduces the waiting time for an interview.
To use the paid expedited service, applicants must first complete the DS-160 form, pay the standard MRV fee and book a regular visa appointment. If expedited appointments are available, the option to request one will appear in the applicant’s online account. Reddy said applicants can then choose the expedited appointment and pay the additional $750 fee.
