Immigration 

United States | New State Department rule introduces optional expedited B visa appointment fee

Summary

The US Department of State recently issued a temporary final rule introducing an optional premium service for B-1/B-2 visa applicants. The rule creates an expedited nonimmigrant visa appointment program allowing B-1/B-2 (business and tourist) visa applicants to schedule faster interview appointments at select U.S. consular posts for a $750 fee.

Overview

The rule will be in effect from July 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026 and is intended as a pilot program to assess demand for a fee-based expedited appointment option.

Applicants who elect to use this service will be able to schedule an interview appointment within approximately ten business days, depending on availability and location. The State Department has indicated that the program is designed to help address long wait times at certain consular posts, while also providing a more predictable option for individuals with time-sensitive travel needs.

Importantly, the expedited appointment fee is in addition to the standard visa application fee and will not accelerate visa adjudication itself.

Key features

The temporary rule introduces the following features:

• Optional expedited scheduling: Applicants may choose to pay a $750 fee to access earlier interview appointment availability.
• Limited rollout: The service will be offered at selected consular posts and in limited quantities based on operational capacity.
• Scheduling benefit only: The service expedites interview availability, but standard processing, including administrative review, remains unchanged.
• Pilot nature: The program is intended to gather data and inform whether a similar model may be implemented on a longer-term basis.

Impact to travelers

• This program may provide an additional option for travelers who need earlier access to visa interview appointments, particularly in locations with longer wait times.
• The service may be useful for last-minute or time-sensitive travel, subject to availability at specific consular posts.
• Applicants should be aware that the expedited appointment does not impact visa adjudication timelines or outcomes, and standard eligibility requirements continue to apply.
• Availability may be limited, and applicants may continue to rely on existing expedite request processes where applicable.

Key takeaway

As a result of this rule, certain B-1/B-2 visa applicants may have the option to secure earlier interview appointments by paying an additional fee, where available. It is not yet clear how broadly this option will be implemented or how demand may affect availability during the pilot period. The select participating U.S. consular posts will be identified on the State Department website.

Vialto will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as they become available.

Contact us

For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:

W. Marcus Hobson
Senior Associate Attorney

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