Starting July 1, 2026, certain U.S. consulates are testing something new: a $750 fee that moves a B-1/B-2 visa applicant’s interview up to within 10 business days. The pilot runs through December 31, 2026, and it’s a direct response to visa interview backlogs that have stretched past a year at some posts, with the State Department also citing the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics as reasons for testing this now.
What the Fee Actually Buys You
This is important to get right: the $750 fee only moves up your interview date. It does not speed up the visa decision itself, and it does not improve your chances of approval. You still have to show up to that interview and demonstrate you qualify for a B-1 or B-2 visa the same way anyone else would. If your case needs extra administrative processing after the interview, that timeline is unaffected.
How the Process Works
You still start the same way everyone does: file Form DS-160 and pay the standard $185 application fee, then book a regular interview appointment. If the consulate you selected is participating in the pilot and has expedited slots open, an option to pay the extra $750 and move to a 10-business-day appointment will appear. Total cost if you use it is $935, and once you pay, that money is gone whether or not you actually make it to the interview or the case ends in a denial.
Who This Actually Helps
Only B-1 business and B-2 tourist applicants can use this option; workers coming on H-1B, L-1, or F-1 status, along with anyone pursuing an immigrant visa, are outside the pilot entirely. It’s also not available everywhere; only select consular posts are participating, and the State Department is expected to publish that list on travel.state.gov. Even at participating posts, expedited slots are limited and the program is capped at roughly 25,000 requests total during the pilot. The existing free expedite option for humanitarian or urgent government-related travel is unchanged and still available.
Should You Use It
For a business traveler with a fixed meeting date, or a family with a wedding, birth, or medical situation abroad, this could genuinely be worth the cost if the wait at your consulate is otherwise measured in months. But it’s not a shortcut around the visa requirements themselves, and it’s a pilot the State Department will evaluate at the end of 2026 before deciding whether to keep, change, or drop it.
Keep in mind that paying for a faster interview doesn’t change what you’re allowed to do once you’re admitted. If you’re traveling on business, it’s worth reviewing what B-1 business visitors can and can’t do at the U.S. border before your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the $750 fee guarantee my visa will be approved?
No. It only secures a faster interview date. The consular officer still decides your case on its merits, the same as any other B-1/B-2 applicant.
Is this available at every U.S. consulate?
No. Only select posts are participating, and the State Department will publish that list. Even at those posts, expedited slots are limited.
Can I use this for an H-1B, L-1, or immigrant visa appointment?
No. Only people applying for a B-1 or B-2 visa can take advantage of the expedited scheduling option.
What if I pay the $750 and can’t make the appointment?
You lose the money. Since there’s no getting it back, make sure your schedule is solid before you commit to paying.
How long does this pilot program last?
It runs from July 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. The State Department will then decide whether to continue, adjust, or end it.
If you have questions about visa interview scheduling, wait times, or your B-1/B-2 application, our attorneys are available to help.
If you or your family members have any questions about how Special Immigrant Juvenile Status or other immigration matters may affect you, or if you want to access additional information about immigration and nationality laws in the United States or Canada, please do not hesitate to contact the immigration and nationality lawyers at NPZ Law Group. You can reach us by emailing info@visaserve.com or by visiting our website at www.visaserve.com for more information.