The U.S. Department of State is launching a limited pilot program that allows certain B-1/B-2 visa applicants to pay a $750 fee to secure a faster consular interview appointment, according to official documentation published in the Federal Register.
The pilot is scheduled to operate from July 1 to December 31, 2026. Applicants who choose to pay the $750 fee may receive an interview appointment within 10 business days at participating consular posts.
The fee is optional and is in addition to the standard $185 Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee that all applicants must pay. This means applicants considering this option should prepare for a total payment of $935 for the interview scheduling service plus the standard visa application processing.
Where the Pilot Applies and What It Does Not Cover
The pilot is limited to selected consular posts and applies only to B-1/B-2 visa categories. Not all U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide will participate. The number of expedited appointment slots is also capped, so availability may be limited even at posts that do take part. The State Department is expected to designate participating posts separately, and a comprehensive list does not yet appear to have been officially published; post-specific availability is expected to appear on travel.state.gov rather than in the rule text itself. Applicants should check with their local consular post for confirmed participation.
Paying the fee does not guarantee visa issuance or speed adjudication. The $750 only expedites the scheduling of an interview appointment. It does not accelerate background security checks or other administrative processing that may follow the interview. Applicants still face standard adjudication risks, and the standard review process applies. If an applicant is found ineligible for the visa, the fee is non-refundable.
The pilot runs for approximately six months. Some commentators have speculated the program could be extended or made permanent, but officially it remains a temporary pilot through December 31, 2026, with any continuation subject to review; no official confirmation of an extension exists. Applicants should not assume the program will continue beyond that date.
What This Means for Travelers, Families and Relocation Planners
For business travelers and family visitors, those facing multi-month interview backlogs at participating consulates may find this pilot a useful option. The ability to secure an interview within 10 business days could significantly reduce trip planning uncertainty.
For relocation planners, this pilot may help in coordinating relocation timing, though interview scheduling is only one step in the visa process. Standard processing times and adjudication decisions remain unchanged.
For overseas investors, those requiring short-term travel for business meetings or property-related matters may benefit from faster interview scheduling, provided their local consulate participates.
The Cost Math and Non-Refundable Exposure
The $750 fee applies per applicant, not per family or group. Each traveler needing a B-1/B-2 visa would need to pay separately. The fee is non-refundable even if the visa is denied, and it does not guarantee an appointment within 10 business days in all cases, since the timeframe is subject to availability at participating posts. According to official guidance, the program is designed as a limited test, and future availability will depend on the results of this pilot period.
Zagdim Analysis
For readers weighing whether the fee is worth it, several factors are worth evaluating before opting in:
- Confirm participation first. The fee is only useful if your local consulate is on the participating list, which is not yet published.
- Weigh the cost against certainty. The payment is non-refundable, so it is best suited to applicants confident in their eligibility.
- Separate scheduling from approval. A faster interview does not improve approval odds, so the benefit is purely timing, not outcome.
For a B-1/B-2 applicant at a participating post facing long wait times, this optional fee may help secure an earlier interview. The visa approval itself is not expedited, and eligibility requirements have not changed.
Want to understand whether this applies to you?
If you are unsure whether your local consulate is likely to participate, or whether paying for an earlier interview makes sense for your situation, we can help you think it through. Tell us where you are applying and what you are planning, and we will help clarify your options and the realistic next step. You do not need to have everything figured out yet. Start here: https://zagdim.com/ask/
References: U.S. Department of State – Schedule of Fees for Consular Services (Temporary Final Rule, Federal Register, 9 June 2026) American Immigration Lawyers Association – Summary of DOS Temporary Final Rule (91 FR 34768) Newsweek – US Visa $750 Fast-Track Interview Fee The Economic Times – B-1/B-2 Visa Interview Appointments Within 10 Days for $750 Meltzer Hellrung – The State Department’s New $750 Expedited B-1/B-2 Visa Appointment Fee
This article is based on officially verified sources current as of June 25, 2026. Requirements and participating posts change frequently. Always confirm your specific situation with a licensed U.S. immigration attorney or directly with the U.S. Department of State via travel.state.gov.
