The U.S. State Department will introduce a $750 fee for expedited tourist and business visa interview appointments under a temporary rule published Tuesday, offering applicants a faster path to secure interview slots within 10 business days.
The temporary final rule, set to take effect July 1 through Dec. 31, 2026, creates a new optional premium service for B1/B2 nonimmigrant visa applicants. Those who pay the additional fee will be able to access limited expedited interview appointments at selected U.S. embassies and consulates, according to the Federal Register notice.
The expedited service will be offered only at certain overseas posts and in limited quantities, with availability to be listed on the State Department’s travel website. The $750 fee is separate from the standard $185 machine-readable visa application fee, which applicants must still pay.
State Department said the pilot program is designed to test demand for faster visa interview scheduling, particularly as some consular posts face wait times exceeding one year. The department cited increased global travel demand and upcoming major international events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, as factors behind the move.
Under the new system, applicants must first schedule a regular visa interview appointment. They may then opt to pay for an expedited slot, if available, within a 10-business-day window. Appointments will be held briefly during payment processing and released if the fee is not paid. The fee will be nonrefundable if the applicant cancels or misses the appointment.
The State Department emphasized that paying the expedited fee does not guarantee visa approval or faster processing beyond securing an earlier interview. Applicants will still be subject to standard eligibility requirements, background checks and possible administrative processing.
The agency said the fee reflects the full cost of providing the expedited service, calculated using its activity-based costing model, which accounts for staffing, appointment management, fraud prevention and operational adjustments across consular posts. The department estimates about 25,000 applicants could use the service during the six-month pilot, generating roughly $19.3 million in fees.
The State Department said the new fee-based option is intended to reduce strain on existing no-cost expedited appointment channels, which are currently reserved for humanitarian emergencies, U.S. government referrals and cases deemed in the national interest. Those pathways will remain in place.
The rule was issued without prior public comment under the “foreign affairs” exemption of the Administrative Procedure Act, though the State Department will accept public comments until July 9.
After the pilot ends, the department said it will evaluate demand and operational data to determine whether to continue or modify the expedited appointment service.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
