United States introduces $750 fee for 10 day B-1/B-2 visa interview pilot

How the $750 expedited interview fee works

The State Department's six-month pilot lets B-1/B-2 visitor visa applicants pay an optional $750 fee to lock in a consular interview within roughly 10 business days at selected U.S. embassies and consulates. The Temporary Final Rule runs from July 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2026, with participating posts listed on Travel.State.gov.

The premium fee buys an earlier interview slot, nothing more. It doesn't speed up adjudication, skip security checks or improve approval odds, the State Department said. Slots are capped at a share of each post's interview capacity, so availability isn't guaranteed even after payment.

Who can use it

Only business visitors and tourists applying for B-1/B-2 visas qualify. The pilot excludes H-1B, L-1, F-1 student, J-1 exchange and H-4 dependent applicants, along with all immigrant visa categories.

Expats and nomads based at posts with year-plus interview backlogs are the clearest beneficiaries, particularly those needing to attend U.S. conferences, client meetings or family events on short notice. The State Department's own analysis projects the carve-out won't materially worsen wait times for standard applicants or other visa classes.

Costs and the booking process

Applicants pay the standard $185 MRV fee plus the $750 expedited fee, bringing total out-of-pocket to about $935 per person. Both fees are non-refundable, including for no-shows, cancellations or visa refusals.

At participating posts, the process runs:

• Complete Form DS-160 and pay the $185 MRV fee through the consular scheduling portal.
• Book a standard interview slot first, then check whether expedited slots are visible within the next 10 business days.
• Select an expedited slot. The system holds it for 5 to 10 minutes while the $750 fee is paid online.
• Confirmation is automatic on successful payment. Missed payment windows release the slot back to the pool.

All standard B-1/B-2 eligibility rules still apply, including nonimmigrant intent, financial capacity and ties abroad. Any administrative processing flagged at the interview proceeds on normal timelines regardless of the premium paid.

For more visa updates, check our running coverage. Read our full United States guide for the complete picture.