State Department Launches Six-Month Pilot for $750 Expedited Visa Interviews
Foreign visitors may pay an additional $750 fee for expedited B1/B2 visa interview appointments under a pilot program running from July 1 to December 31. The service is optional, limited in availability, and carries no guarantee of visa approval.
cnet.comThe State Department will offer expedited B1/B2 visa interview appointments for an additional $750 fee under a six-month pilot program beginning July 1. A notice published Tuesday in the Federal Register states the program allows applicants at selected posts to pay the non-refundable fee to hold an appointment slot for five to 10 minutes.
If payment is not completed within that window, the slot reopens to other applicants. The expedited option supplements the existing $185 application fee and will be offered only in limited quantities at participating locations.
Standard visa interview wait times can exceed 12 months at some embassies and consulates. The notice cites difficulties for applicants needing visas for urgent or last-minute travel, including attendance at professional sporting events, concerts, and festivals. The State Department projects 25,705 annual applications under the pilot, generating an estimated $19.3 million in revenue.
The pilot runs through December 31 and applies only to B1/B2 business and tourism visas. Officials have not announced which posts will participate or how many slots will be available at each location.
