WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of State has begun a pilot program allowing certain B-1/B-2 (business/tourist) visitor visa applicants to pay an additional $750 fee for an earlier interview appointment, rather than waiting for the next standard slot.The Nonimmigrant Visa Expedited Appointment Pilot Program runs through December 31, 2026. It launched at U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico on July 21, 2026, with the possibility of expansion to other selected posts during the trial period.
How it works
Applicants must first complete the normal process: submit the DS-160, pay the standard $185 Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee, and either hold or book a regular interview appointment. At participating locations, a “Paid Expedite” option then appears in the online appointment system. Selecting it and paying the extra $750 (within a short window, typically 10 minutes) secures an interview within 10 business days, subject to availability.
Key rules include: The $750 fee is per applicant, non-refundable, and non-transferable. Once booked, the expedited slot cannot be changed or rescheduled. Missing it means losing the fee.
It is available only for cases requiring an in-person interview (interview-waiver renewals are excluded). Families or groups must pay separately for each person. Applicants denied a regular emergency appointment may still use the paid option if eligible.
The fee speeds only the interview date; it does not alter security checks, eligibility review, processing after the interview, or guarantee visa approval.The State Department describes the option as intended for travelers who need an earlier appointment but do not qualify for a true emergency slot. Premium passport delivery may also be offered at no extra cost where available. Officials emphasize that all applicants—paid expedite or not—undergo the same required reviews under U.S. immigration law.The pilot was authorized under a temporary final rule published in the Federal Register in June 2026 and is being evaluated for demand and operational impact.
Referances:ogletree.com,eiglaw.com,travel.state.gov