U.S. Consular Posts Expand Expedited B-1/B-2 Visa Pilot Program
The U.S. Department of State has rolled out a temporary pilot program offering an expedited interview scheduling option for certain B-1 and B-2 visa applicants. By paying an optional $750 fee, eligible travelers can secure a consular interview appointment within 10 business days at participating embassies and consulates.
According to Fragomen Insights, this expedited fee program is designed as a "proof-of-concept" to help manage high demand for urgent business and tourism travel. The initiative officially launched on July 1, 2026, and is scheduled to run through the end of the year, concluding on December 31, 2026.
The $750 cost is a premium payment that must be paid in addition to the standard $185 Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) application fee. Currently, the service is limited in quantity and only available at specific participating locations, which have recently expanded to include posts in Mexico, Canada, Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Honduras.
State Department officials have clarified that while the fee accelerates the interview timeline, it provides no advantage regarding the actual visa adjudication. Paying the expedite fee does not influence a consular officer’s decision, guarantee visa issuance, or allow applicants to bypass standard security screening and eligibility requirements.
Furthermore, the premium fee does not speed up the processing of the visa itself or any required administrative processing following the interview. Reports from immigration professionals indicate that applicants must complete the standard Form DS-160 and pay the $185 fee first; only then will the option to upgrade to an expedited appointment appear in the scheduling system, provided the local post has capacity.
The fee is strictly non-refundable. If a visa is denied, or if an applicant cancels or misses their scheduled appointment, the $750 payment will not be returned.
What's Next / Context
The introduction of this pilot program comes as the State Department continues to address prolonged visa appointment wait times that have persisted since the global pandemic. For international business travelers and tourists needing to reach the United States on short notice, this program offers a costly but reliable mechanism to bypass queues that often extend for months. Over the next several months, authorities will assess the viability and operational impact of this fee-based expedite service. If successful, the Department of State may choose to expand the program globally or make it a permanent feature of the U.S. consular processing system.
