The US State Department will soon launch a pilot project for expedited B1/B2 visa appointments for a fee of $750. With this, applicants will be able to get interview appointment on selected posts within 10 days. The pilot project will run from July 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026.The $740 fee is in addition to the standard $185 visa application fee. This will only get the visa applicant an expedited interview appointment, and will not speed up the visa process. And only B1/B2 visa applicants, who wish to visit the US for tourism or business purpose, will be able to apply for this premium service.Generally, an applicant has three ways to request and receive an expedited interview at no cost in exceptional circumstances. In each of these cases, the applicant must still demonstrate that he or she qualifies for the requested visa classification. All require personal intervention by consular and mission staff under strict criteria.
- The “referral” process where a senior US government employee from the US diplomatic mission in the country vouches for the applicant and certifies that his or her travel benefits US interests.
- “Priority Appointment Request” where an authorized U.S. government employee of a U.S. diplomatic mission may request the consular section to provide a prior appointment to a contact who furthers the U.S. national interest.
- Expedited request requested by the applicant: Applicants in extreme circumstances may request expedited appointment to enable travel for humanitarian reasons or other post-specific criteria for urgent travel. The consular manager at the post reviews each of these requests.
But after the new fees, no written application will be required.Experts said this would be a helpful measure for people with important business meetings in the US. Immigration attorney Adrian Pandev said, “$750 to organize an important business meeting or conference instead of waiting months in a busy consulate? Many people would pay that without thinking twice.” Lawyer Steven Brown commented, “Considering that some people need to travel at short notice, this is no bad thing.”Traveling to the US has become difficult under the Trump administration due to several new visa rules. While some countries are on the US travel ban list, some citizens have to pay $15m00 for a B1 or B2 visa. Wait times for visa appointments have also increased around the world.