US introduces $750 to fast-track visa interview appointments

The United States department of state has unveiled a new premium visa interview service that allows eligible applicants to secure interview appointments within 10 business days for an additional fee of $750.

The initiative, announced through a notice published in the Federal Register, will operate as a pilot programme from July 1 to December 31, 2026, at selected US embassies and consulates worldwide.

According to the state department, the programme is intended to provide an optional faster scheduling process for B1/B2 non-immigrant visa applicants amid increasing demand and lengthy waiting periods in several countries.

The department explained that the pilot scheme would help assess demand for fee-based expedited interview appointments while improving the efficiency of visa scheduling systems.

Under the arrangement, applicants must first complete the standard visa application process and secure a regular interview appointment before requesting an earlier interview date through the premium option.

The US government stressed that payment of the expedited service fee does not guarantee visa approval or issuance, noting that all applicants will still undergo the normal screening, security checks and consular interview process.

Officials cited growing global travel demand and long waiting times at some diplomatic missions as reasons for the initiative.

In Nigeria, for instance, applicants seeking B1/B2 visa appointments in Abuja currently face waiting periods of nearly one year.

The State Department also linked the programme to anticipated increases in international travel ahead of major global events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Applicants who choose the service will be required to pay the standard non-immigrant visa application fee of $185 in addition to the $750 expedited appointment charge.

The US government described the initiative as a temporary cost-recovery measure designed to evaluate whether travellers are willing to pay for faster access to visa interview appointments while maintaining existing visa processing standards.