The US Department of State has introduced a paid pilot programme that allows some business and tourist visa applicants to secure earlier interview appointments by paying an additional fee.
The Nonimmigrant Visa Expedited Appointment Pilot Program reportedly took effect on July 1, 2026. Under the programme, eligible B-1/B-2 visa applicants at participating US embassies and consulates can pay $750 for an interview appointment within 10 business days, subject to availability.
The pilot is scheduled to continue until December 31, 2026.
The initiative is aimed at helping travellers with urgent business or personal needs while reducing the impact of long visa interview waiting periods.
Participation is optional. Applicants who use the paid service will still undergo the same eligibility checks, security screening and visa assessment as other applicants.
How Does the Programme Work?
Applicants must first complete the regular visa application process. This includes paying the $185 Machine Readable Visa fee and scheduling a standard interview appointment.
Eligible applicants applying at participating locations may then see a “Paid Expedite” option in the appointment system.
The additional $750 fee is separate from the normal visa application charge and must reportedly be paid within 10 minutes of selecting an available expedited slot.
Only a limited number of priority appointments will be released each day by participating embassies and consulates.
Strict Rules for Expedited Appointments
Once an expedited appointment is confirmed, it cannot be rescheduled.
Applicants who cancel the appointment or fail to attend it will lose the additional fee. The payment is non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another applicant.
The US Embassy and consulates in Mexico were reportedly among the first diplomatic missions to implement the pilot on July 21, 2026. More locations could be added before the programme ends.
Faster Interview, Not Faster Visa Approval
The programme only provides access to an earlier interview date. It does not increase an applicant’s chances of receiving a visa or reduce the time required for post-interview processing.
Applicants will continue to face the same screening, vetting and eligibility requirements under US immigration law.
The State Department has stressed that paying the additional fee does not guarantee visa approval, speed up administrative processing or provide favourable treatment during the interview.
Even after an expedited interview, applicants could face delays if their cases require additional documents, security checks or administrative processing.
Who Could Benefit?
The pilot could help companies, executives and professionals who need to travel to the United States at short notice but are unable to find regular interview appointments.
However, immigration experts say applicants and employers should carefully consider whether the $750 fee is justified, particularly when travel dates are flexible.
Businesses must also remember that the programme advances only the interview date. It does not guarantee that the visa will be issued before the planned travel date.
For organisations that frequently send employees to the United States, the pilot may offer a useful option for urgent trips. However, it is unlikely to replace the need for early visa planning.
Key Features
The programme is available only to eligible B-1/B-2 visa applicants at participating US embassies and consulates.
Applicants must first pay the regular $185 visa fee and schedule a standard interview.
The expedited appointment costs an additional $750 per applicant.
The payment provides access only to an earlier interview slot and does not guarantee visa approval.
Applicants who miss or cancel the expedited appointment will lose the additional fee.
The pilot is expected to run until December 31, 2026, after which the State Department may decide whether to extend, modify or discontinue it.
