US Introduces $750 Fee to Fast-Track Visa Interviews for Applicants

The United States Department of State has introduced a new premium visa interview service that will allow eligible applicants to secure expedited interview appointments by paying an additional fee of $750.

According to a notice published in the Federal Register on June 9, 2026, the pilot programme will take effect from July 1 to December 31, 2026, and will be available at selected United States embassies and consulates worldwide.

The initiative targets applicants seeking B1/B2 visitor visas and is intended to provide faster interview scheduling amid increasing demand and lengthy waiting periods at several US diplomatic missions.

The State Department explained that the programme is designed to assess demand for a fee-based expedited appointment system while helping to improve efficiency in visa scheduling processes.

“This temporary final rule is designed to collect information from select countries about the demand for a fee-based process to expedite a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment,” the department stated.

Officials clarified that the payment of the additional fee only grants access to an earlier interview appointment and does not guarantee visa approval or issuance.

The department emphasised that applicants must still satisfy all existing visa requirements, including security checks, eligibility assessments and consular interviews.

“An expedited visa appointment in no way guarantees visa issuance,” the State Department noted.

Under the programme, applicants must first complete the standard visa application process and secure a regular appointment before opting for an expedited slot.

Once eligible, applicants may request an earlier appointment and choose from available interview dates scheduled within the next ten business days.

The expedited service comes in response to growing concerns over lengthy visa processing times in several countries.

The State Department noted that average wait times for B1/B2 visa interviews in some locations exceed 12 months.

In Nigeria, for instance, the average waiting period for visa interviews in Abuja is approximately 11.5 months.

US officials also linked the programme to anticipated increases in international travel demand ahead of major global events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Applicants who choose the premium option will pay the standard $185 visa application fee in addition to the $750 expedited appointment charge.

The US government described the initiative as a temporary cost-recovery measure intended to test demand and evaluate its effectiveness before making any long-term decisions.