US to Offer Priority B1/B2 Visa Appointments for an Additional $750
The United States will launch a pilot programme on 1 July 2026 allowing applicants for B-1 business and B-2 tourist visas to pay an additional $750 for faster access to visa interviews.
The scheme will run until the end of the year. The new service is intended to help travellers who need to secure visa appointments at short notice. While the median wait for a non-immigrant visa interview is about 30 days, applicants at some embassies and consulates face delays of more than a year.
Under the pilot, eligible applicants will be able to book an interview within ten business days after paying the additional fee. The programme will be managed by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, which will decide which embassies and consulates take part.
Applicants must still pay the standard machine-readable visa application fee of $185, which was last updated in May 2023, before paying the additional expedited appointment fee. The premium service does not increase the chances of visa approval or reduce administrative processing times. It only provides quicker access to an interview and greater flexibility in scheduling.
Applicants must first complete the DS-160 visa application form and pay the standard visa fee before booking a regular interview appointment. If expedited appointments are available, they can choose to reschedule by paying the $750 fee online. The selected appointment is held briefly while payment is processed.
If payment is not completed within the required time, the appointment is released to other applicants. Those who cancel their appointment or fail to attend will lose the expedited fee.
Officials said the number of premium appointments will be limited to prevent disruption to the standard scheduling system. As a result, the pilot is not expected to reduce waiting times for applicants who choose not to pay for the faster service. Instead, it is designed to provide an option for people with urgent business, family or travel commitments.
The pilot comes as the United States prepares for an increase in international visitors ahead of major events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics and 2028 Summer Paralympics. The government plans to use the programme to assess demand and improve visa processing before these events.
The introduction of a paid fast-track option gives travellers with urgent plans an opportunity to secure interviews more quickly. However, applicants who cannot afford the additional fee will continue to use the standard appointment system, which remains subject to existing waiting times.
