The Department of State (DOS) published a temporary final rule today establishing a new $750 expedited interview appointment fee for certain B-1/B-2 visitor visa applicants. Effective July 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, the pilot program will allow eligible applicants at selected U.S. consular posts to secure an interview appointment within 10 business days, subject to availability.
Key Takeaways
- This is an interview scheduling benefit—not an adjudication benefit. DOS makes clear that payment of the fee does not expedite visa adjudication, administrative processing, security screening, or visa issuance. Applicants remain subject to all standard eligibility requirements and vetting procedures.
- The fee is in addition to the standard visa application fee. Applicants electing the expedited appointment option must pay the current B-1/B-2 Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee, presently $185, plus the new $750 expedite fee.
- Participation will be limited. The expedited appointment option will only be available at designated consular posts and in limited quantities. DOS states that expedited appointments will be capped at a percentage of a post’s interviewing capacity to minimize any impact on regular appointment availability.
Participating Posts Have Not Yet Been Announced
One of the most significant unanswered questions is where the pilot will be available. The temporary final rule does not identify participating embassies or consulates. Instead, DOS states that designated posts will be announced on Travel.State.Gov and selected by the Bureau of Consular Affairs. DOS notes that its demand modeling focused on posts experiencing the longest visa interview wait times which suggests that the pilot is intended to address demand at high-volume locations with significant interview backlogs, particularly as the United States prepares for major international events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
Why DOS Is Implementing the Program
According to DOS, the pilot is designed to test demand for a fee-based expedited appointment process while reducing reliance on existing expedite request channels, which require individualized review by consular personnel. Currently, applicants generally must demonstrate urgent humanitarian circumstances, obtain a qualifying government referral, or otherwise satisfy strict expedite criteria to receive an earlier interview appointment. DOS states that believes the new fee-based option may reduce administrative burdens associated with reviewing such requests while providing a transparent mechanism for applicants seeking faster access to available interview slots.
Practical Considerations for Applicants
Applicants considering the expedited appointment option should understand that the fee only provides an opportunity to secure an earlier interview date.
Payment of the fee:
- Does not guarantee visa issuance;
- Does not waive any eligibility requirements;
- Does not shorten administrative processing;
- Does not provide preferential treatment during adjudication.
Applicants who receive an expedited appointment will still undergo the same interview, security screening, and eligibility review as all other applicants. Additionally, DOS has confirmed that traditional no-fee expedite requests for humanitarian emergencies, urgent medical treatment, and matters affecting U.S. national interests will remain available.
Claire Pratt © Jewell Stewart Pratt Beckerson & Carr PC 2026
