Effective July 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) launched an optional expedited interview appointment pilot program for eligible B-1/B-2 visa applicants applying at U.S. visa posts in Mexico. The pilot is currently scheduled to run through December 31, 2026.
Under the new program, eligible B-1/B-2 (business visitor and tourist) visa applicants may pay an additional $750 expedited appointment fee to obtain a visa interview appointment within 10 business days, subject to availability, at U.S. visa posts in Mexico. The option is available to applicants scheduling new appointments as well as those with existing appointments supported by an unexpired Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee receipt. To use the expedited appointment option, applicants must first complete the standard nonimmigrant visa application process, including payment of the applicable MRV fee and scheduling a regular visa interview appointment. If expedited appointments are available, applicants may then select the “Paid Expedite” option and pay the additional fee. The “Paid Expedite” option will only appear if this option is available in the country where the appointment is being scheduled and expedite appointments are available. Expedited appointments cannot be rescheduled, and the expedited appointment fee is nonrefundable.
The pilot program provides an earlier interview appointment only and does not expedite visa adjudication or guarantee visa issuance. All applicants remain subject to the same eligibility requirements, security screening, and consular adjudication standards applicable to all B-1/B-2 visa applicants. Although the pilot is currently limited to U.S. visa posts in Mexico, DOS has indicated that additional locations may be added before the pilot concludes on December 31, 2026.The pilot program provides an earlier interview appointment only and does not expedite visa adjudication or guarantee visa issuance. All applicants remain subject to the same eligibility requirements, security screening, and consular adjudication standards applicable to all B-1/B-2 visa applicants. Although the pilot is currently limited to U.S. visa posts in Mexico, DOS has indicated that additional locations may be added before the pilot concludes on December 31, 2026.
The pilot program provides eligible business and tourist travelers with an additional option to secure an earlier visa interview appointment when they do not qualify for a traditional emergency appointment. However, expedited appointment availability remains limited, and payment of the additional fee does not guarantee visa issuance or faster visa processing after the interview. Applicants should continue to plan international travel well in advance, particularly while the program remains limited to U.S. visa posts in Mexico.
Vialto will continue to monitor any updates to the pilot program as additional consular posts are added.
For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:
Michelle Guardado-Tia
Manager
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