- U.S. to offer expedited B-1/B-2 visa interviews for $750.
- Pilot program runs from July 1 to Dec. 4.
- Available at selected U.S. embassies and consulates.
THE U.S. STATE Department will launch a pilot program allowing select consulates to expedite B-1/B-2 visa interview appointments for an additional $750 fee. The program will run from July 1 to Dec. 4.
Eligible applicants will be able to secure a consular interview within 10 business days, subject to availability at participating posts, according to a Federal Register notice published Tuesday.
The program will be available only at selected U.S. embassies and consulates, which the State Department will list on its travel.state.gov website. The number of expedited appointments will be limited.
Visa interview wait times exceed 12 months at some U.S. embassies and consulates, making it difficult for applicants to secure visas for urgent travel, the notice said. It added that the United States hosts events each year that attract last-minute visitors, including sporting events, concerts and festivals.
Officials said the fee only provides faster access to an interview appointment and does not affect visa processing, adjudication or approval chances. Applicants must still meet all B-1/B-2 visa requirements, while security and eligibility reviews remain subject to standard timelines and may still delay processing.
The State Department expects 25,705 applications a year, generating $19.3 million in revenue.
A federal judge on Monday ruled that the $100,000 fee imposed by President Donald Trump on H-1B visa applications was unlawful because it lacked congressional approval. The fee had increased the cost of hiring foreign workers under the program.
