Who Is Eligible to Pay for Expedited Interview Scheduling?
Starting July 1, 2026, the U.S. State Department is allowing B-1/B-2 visa applicants (business and tourism) to pay $750 for expedited interview scheduling, with the program running through December 31, 2026. This service is available only at participating U.S. embassies and consulates.
This fee is not a supplemental visa application fee. Rather, it is a charge for priority scheduling of your visa interview appointment at locations experiencing high case volume.
Does This Speed Up Your Visa Approval?
No. Currently, this measure only accelerates your interview appointment scheduling. It may move your interview appointment forward by approximately 10 business days, but it does not expedite the administrative processing of your case.
What this means: you will have your interview sooner, but the waiting period for your visa decision after the interview remains the same. If your application requires additional administrative processing, the $750 fee provides no benefit.
Who Should Consider Paying This Fee?
Consider paying if:
- You have a specific timeline (flight booked, important event, business meeting) and cannot wait longer
- You are applying at a particularly busy consular post
- You can afford the additional $750 cost
Do not pay if:
- You have flexibility with your timeline
- Your application is likely to require administrative processing (since this fee does not help with that stage)
- You are uncertain whether your application will be approved
Important Considerations
This program is temporary. It is only valid from July 1 through December 31, 2026. After that date, the State Department will decide whether to extend or terminate the program.
Not all U.S. posts participate. Before submitting payment, confirm with your local U.S. embassy or consulate that they offer this service.
The fee is non-refundable. If you change your mind or cannot attend your scheduled interview, you will not receive a refund of the $750.
Context: Why Is the U.S. Doing This?
The B-1/B-2 visa is one of the most commonly requested visa categories globally. In recent years, application volumes have surged, leading to extended waiting times for interviews. The State Department is testing a mechanism to create an expedited "lane" to relieve processing backlogs while generating additional revenue.
This is not a novel approach. Other countries—Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia—have already implemented similar programs allowing applicants to pay for faster processing.
An Important Caution
Some visa consultants may mislead applicants by claiming that paying extra will "increase approval chances." This is false. The $750 fee affects only your interview scheduling, not the visa approval decision itself.
If your application does not meet the requirements, no amount of money will help. If your application meets all requirements, you will be approved whether you pay this fee or not—the only difference is timing.