US Introduces $750 Premium Fee for Faster Visa Interview Appointments
The United States Government has announced plans to introduce a premium appointment service that would allow some business and tourist visa applicants to secure interview dates faster, for an additional non-refundable fee of $750.
Global Mirror News learnt that under the proposed pilot programme, eligible applicants for B1/B2 visitor visas would pay the $750 premium charge on top of the standard $185 non-immigrant visa application fee. This would bring the total cost for applicants who opt for the expedited interview service to $935.
The initiative is expected to run from July 1 to December 31, with selected US embassies and consulates set to participate. Authorities are expected to release the list of participating diplomatic missions before the programme begins.
Applicants who successfully access the premium option would reportedly be offered a visa interview appointment within 10 days of payment, a move aimed at reducing the long delays faced by travellers seeking US business and tourist visas.
Visa interview wait times vary significantly across locations, with some applicants in high-demand regions waiting for several months and, in certain cases, more than a year before securing an appointment.
However, applicants seeking to use the fast-track option may have only between five and 10 minutes to complete payment after an expedited slot becomes available. Failure to pay within the stated timeframe could lead to the appointment being released back into the system for other applicants.
The fee will be non-refundable, meaning applicants will not get their money back even if their visa application is later refused.
US officials also stressed that the premium payment would only speed up access to an interview appointment and would not influence the outcome of the visa application. Consular officers will still assess each applicant under existing immigration rules before deciding whether to approve or deny a visa.
The US State Department is reportedly projecting that about 25,705 travellers could use the premium appointment option every year, generating an estimated $19.3 million in revenue.
The development comes as the United States continues to grapple with visa appointment backlogs worldwide. The State Department says visa applicants should generally apply in their country of nationality or residence, while appointment availability differs by embassy, consulate, season and visa category.
For visitor visas, the standard application fee remains non-refundable, and applicants must still attend an interview where required and satisfy the consular officer that they qualify for the visa. A visa appointment, whether regular or expedited, does not guarantee visa approval or entry into the United States.
