WASHINGTON — The State Department will launch a six-month B1/B2 visa interview pilot on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, allowing a limited number of applicants to pay $750 for an interview appointment within 10 business days at selected U.S. embassies and consulates overseas.
The paid option will be tested through Thursday, December 31, 2026. It is designed to measure demand for faster interview scheduling at consular posts where regular appointment waits can exceed one year.
How the $750 B1/B2 Visa Interview Pilot Works
Applicants must first book a regular B1/B2 visitor visa interview. Where premium appointments are available, eligible applicants may pay the $750 expedited scheduling fee online and move their interview to a date within 10 business days.
The new charge is separate from the existing $185 Machine Readable Visa application fee, raising the total application cost to $935 for applicants who use the paid service.
The State Department estimates that about 25,000 applicants could use the option during the six-month test.
What the Expedited Fee Does Not Guarantee
Payment will not guarantee visa approval. It also will not speed up security checks, administrative processing or other parts of visa adjudication. Standard B1/B2 eligibility rules will remain unchanged.
Existing no-fee expedited interview requests will continue for humanitarian emergencies, urgent travel needs and cases involving the U.S. national interest. Consular officers will retain discretion over those requests.
Why the State Department Is Testing the Service
The Department described the program as a proof-of-concept and said the $750 fee reflects estimated administrative costs under its Cost of Service Model.
Officials also linked the pilot to expected visitor visa demand ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
The test matters because it could create a paid pathway for faster interview access without changing approval standards. Its broader value will depend on demand, appointment availability and whether the State Department expands the program after December 31, 2026.
