If you are waiting for US visa interview, there’s now a service to move to the front of the line, but there is a catch. For many travelers, the new option could mean avoiding months of waiting. But this comes by paying additional $750, and no guarantee of visa approval; it is a service that offers convenience rather than certainty.
US officials introduced new pilot program that allows eligible tourist and business visa applicants to secure an earlier interview by paying an additional $750, on top of the standard $185 visa application fee. The initiative is designed for people who have urgent travel needs and cannot afford to wait for the next available interview slot.
The initiative, officially called Nonimmigrant Visa Accelerated Appointment Pilot Program, was announced by US Department of State and is currently being tested at selected US embassies and consulates until December 31, 2026. Under the existing system, applicants pay the standard $185 visa fee and wait for the next available interview appointment, which in some countries can take several months.
Under new pilot program, applicants will still have to follow the same process. They must first pay the regular fee and schedule a normal interview. If the embassy or consulate where they are applying is participating in the trial and has expedited slots available, a “Paid Expedite” option will appear on the appointment portal.
Applicants who choose that option will have 10 minutes to pay the additional $750 to reserve a faster interview slot, which the State Department says could be available within 10 days.
Who can apply?
The fast-track service is available only for B1/B2 visas, which cover travel for tourism and business. To qualify, applicants must already have a valid future interview appointment, meet all eligibility requirements for the visa category, and apply through a US embassy or consulate that is participating in the pilot program.
US Department of State has made it clear that the extra payment only speeds up the interview appointment—not the decision itself. Every applicant, regardless of whether they use the fast-track option or the regular process, will undergo the same security screening, background checks, and consular interview. In other words, the additional payment buys time, not approval.
The program also comes with several strict conditions. The additional $750 fee is non-refundable, meaning applicants will not get their money back if they change their mind or fail to attend the interview. The appointment also cannot be rescheduled, and anyone who misses it will have to pay the expedited fee again if they want another fast-track slot.
For families or groups, the fee applies to each individual applicant, not the entire group. Even applicants whose previous visa applications were refused may still use the service, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.
US State Department says the pilot is aimed at helping people with genuine urgent travel needs while reducing pressure on visa appointment backlogs. At the same time, officials insist the integrity of the visa system will remain unchanged, with no relaxation in security checks or approval standards.
The trial will continue until December 31, 2026, and if it proves successful, more US embassies and consulates could be added to the program.
Trump proposes stricter visa rules for int’l students, exchange visitors, journalists
