The US State Department is set to launch a pilot programme allowing certain American consulates to offer expedited interview appointments for B-1/B-2 visitor visa applicants who pay an additional fee of $750.
In a notice to be published in the Federal Register this week, the programme will run from July 1 through December 31, 2026. Under the initiative, eligible applicants seeking business or tourist visas will be able to secure a consular interview appointment within 10 business days, subject to availability at participating posts.
The programme will not be available at all US diplomatic missions. Instead, the State Department will identify participating embassies and consulates on its travel. state. gov website. Even at those locations, the number of expedited appointments offered under the pilot will be limited.
Officials emphasised that the additional fee is intended solely to provide faster access to an interview slot and will not affect the processing or adjudication of a visa application.
The B visa appointment expedite fee provides an earlier appointment date only – it will not accelerate visa adjudication or processing. Any security- or eligibility-related administrative processing timeframes will be subject to standard timeframes, and as always, may delay significantly visa processing.
Applicants using the premium appointment option will still be required to meet all existing eligibility requirements for a B visa. The State Department has also made clear that obtaining an earlier interview date will not influence the outcome of a visa application.
In addition, applicants who obtain an earlier appointment are subject to the same eligibility requirements for the B visa – an expedited appointment will not increase an applicant’s chances of visa approval.
