US Introduces $750 Fast-Track Visa Option for Faster Visa Interviews

The United States has introduced a $750 optional fast-track visa service for B1/B2 business and tourism visa applicants, allowing eligible travellers to secure interview appointments within 10 business days at select embassies and consulates.

According to a Federal Register notice issued on June 9, 2026, the pilot programme will run from July 1 to December 31, 2026, and will be limited to 25,000 expedited slots.

The new service comes at an additional cost on top of the standard $185 visa application fee, bringing the total to $935 for applicants who choose the expedited option. The fee is non-refundable, and missing an appointment means both the slot and payment are forfeited.

Officials clarified that the premium service only speeds up interview scheduling and does not influence visa approval decisions or bypass standard security vetting procedures.

The option is also restricted to B1/B2 visa categories only, excluding student, work, and family-based visas. Applicants from Visa Waiver Programme countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and most European nations, are not eligible.

The policy aims to ease severe visa appointment backlogs exceeding 12 months in some consulates, with rising demand expected ahead of major global events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The State Department estimates the pilot could generate approximately $19.3 million, which will be used to support consular operations and improve processing efficiency.

While the fast-track option offers quicker scheduling, existing free expedited services for urgent humanitarian and emergency travel remain unchanged.

Full lists of participating embassies and consulates will be published on travel.state.gov, and applicants must first complete the DS-160 form and pay the standard fee before accessing the expedited booking option.