News Alert: DOS Introduces a $750 Premium Fee for Expedited B-1/B-2 Visa Interviews
Photo by Meizhi Lang on Unsplash. On June 9, 2026, The Department of State published a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) introducing an optional, paid fast-track for business and tourist travelers. For a premium fee, applicants can bypass the standard visa issuance and consular interview backlog entirely. Learn more in our News Alert.
If you have tried to book a U.S. visitor visa appointment lately, you already know the grim reality: in some parts of the world, interview wait times still exceed 12 months. With massive travel draws like the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026™ putting unprecedented pressure on consulates, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) is testing a radical new solution.
On June 9, 2026, DOS published a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) that introduces an optional, paid fast-track for business and tourist travelers. For a premium fee, applicants can bypass the standard backlog entirely.
Here is a breakdown of how this new program works, who qualifies, and the critical limitations you need to know.
The Core Details: What is the New Fee?
The temporary rule amends the Consular Services Fee Schedule to create a $750 USD expedited appointment fee specifically for B-1/B-2 (business and tourism) nonimmigrant visa applicants.
The Benefit: Paying the fee allows you to secure an interview appointment at selected overseas posts within 10 business days.
The Timeline: This is a strict 6-month "proof-of-concept" pilot program. It takes effect on July 1, 2026, and runs through December 31, 2026.
The Cost Structure: The $750 fee is a premium supplement. It must be paid in addition to the standard $185 Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) application fee.
How the "Upgrade" Process Works Step-by-Step
Applicants cannot simply buy an expedited slot right out of the gate. To prevent the system from being completely overwhelmed, DOS has implemented a strict workflow:
Submit & Pay Standard Fee: Fill out your Form DS-160 and pay the standard $185 application fee.
Book a Regular Slot: You must first schedule a standard, non-expedited interview date through the regular country-specific system (e.g., ustraveldocs.com).
Opt to Upgrade: If you are applying at a participating post that has premium capacity, you will see an online option to upgrade.
The 10-Minute Hold: Once you select an expedited appointment within the 10-day window, the system will place a brief 5-to-10-minute hold on that slot. You must complete the $750 payment online immediately to lock it in.
Crucial Limitations and Guardrails
While a 10-day interview window sounds like a silver bullet for urgent travel, practitioners and applicants must read the fine print. This pilot program has heavy restrictions:
Adjudication is NOT Fast-Tracked: This fee only fast-tracks the scheduling of the interview. It does not speed up administrative processing, background checks, or security clearances. If your case requires extra screening, it will still take the normal amount of time.
No Guarantee of Approval: Paying $750 moves your body into the room faster, but it does not influence the consular officer's decision. You must still meet all standard eligibility and requirements to get the visa.
Highly Limited Availability: This service is not rolling out globally. DOS will publish a specific list of participating embassies and consulates on travel.state.gov. Furthermore, slots will be strictly capped (projected at roughly 25,000 requests total) to ensure regular, no-fee appointment queues aren't heavily impacted.
Use It or Lose It: The fee is entirely non-refundable. If you cancel, fail to attend your expedited interview, or your payment fails to clear in time, you forfeit the slot and the money.
What Happens to Free Expedite Requests?
If you have a legitimate, sudden emergency, don't panic. This paid premium service operates alongside existing, no-cost expedite options. Consular managers retain full authority to grant free expedited interviews for urgent humanitarian reasons, severe medical emergencies, or travel deemed strictly in the U.S. national interest.
The $750 path is designed primarily for travelers who have urgent or last-minute commercial and leisure plans but do not meet the strict baseline for a traditional, humanitarian emergency override.
What else should I know?
If you are planning late-2026 corporate travel or looking ahead to the final months of the year and find yourself facing a massive localized visa backlog, keep a close eye on travel.state.gov as July 1 approaches. If your local post is on the list and budget isn't an issue, this pilot could save you months of waiting—just make sure your application is bulletproof before you step through the door.
Because this was issued as a temporary final rule, it takes effect quickly, but the public can still weigh in. Written comments on the rule must be submitted to DOS on or before July 9, 2026 (91 FR 34768, Public Notice: 13003).
Stay tuned as we monitor this development. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and check back regularly for updates as the agency releases category-specific operational guidance. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok, for up-to-date immigration news.
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