The U.S. Department of State has issued a temporary final rule introducing a new $750 expedited interview fee for B1/B2 (business and tourism) visa applicants.
Effective July 1 through December 31, 2026, the optional service allows eligible applicants to secure a visa interview appointment within 10 business days, subject to availability.
Background
The new fee-based service is being introduced as a pilot program to address growing demand for faster visa processing.
While global average wait times for nonimmigrant visa interviews are around 30 days, some U.S. consulates face wait times exceeding 12 months.
The Department of State aims to:
- Provide a faster appointment option for applicants with urgent travel needs
- Reduce reliance on resource-intensive expedite requests
- Prepare for increased global travel demand, including major international events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games
Key Features of the Expedited Service
- Fee: $750 (in addition to the standard $185 visa application fee)
- Eligibility: B1/B2 visa applicants only
- Processing: Interview appointment available within 10 business days
- Availability: Limited to selected U.S. embassies and consulates
- Capacity: Capped to avoid impacting regular appointment availability
Applicants must first book a standard appointment before opting to upgrade to an expedited slot, if available.
Important Limitations
- The expedited fee applies only to interview scheduling, not visa adjudication
- Applicants must still meet all standard eligibility and screening requirements
- Payment of the fee does not guarantee visa approval
- Expedited slots are limited and not guaranteed to all applicants
Additionally, failure to attend or complete payment will result in loss of the expedited appointment and fee.
Relationship to Existing Expedited Options
The new paid service operates alongside existing no-fee expedite options, including:
- Humanitarian or emergency travel requests
- U.S. government referrals or priority requests
These options will continue to be available for qualified cases.
Policy Rationale
The Department states that the $750 fee reflects the full cost of providing the expedited service, based on activity-based costing methods.
The initiative is intended to:
- Improve efficiency in visa processing
- Reduce administrative burden on consular staff
- Offer a transparent, optional fast-track solution for applicants
What’s Next
The program will run through December 31, 2026, after which the Department will evaluate demand and operational impact before deciding whether to:
- Continue the service
- Adjust pricing
- Expand availability
Erickson Insights and Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.