The U.S. Department of State will pilot a fee-based “expedited interview scheduling” service for B-1 business and B-2 tourist visa applicants beginning July 1, 2026. Under the program—detailed in a Federal Register notice and summarized by immigration firm NPZ Law Group—applicants at select consulates may pay an additional $750 to secure an interview slot within 10 business days, subject to local capacity. The pilot is slated to run through December 31, 2026, after which the department will assess demand, cost recovery, and fraud-prevention metrics.
For travelers who prefer hands-on assistance, VisaHQ can streamline every step of the U.S. B-1/B-2 application—expedited or standard—by helping applicants complete the DS-160, prepare supporting documents, and track available interview dates in real time. Their specialists can also advise whether the $750 premium is worthwhile in each case. Learn more at https://www.visahq.com/united-states/
The move is a direct response to record-high global wait times that have stretched beyond a year in populous markets such as Mumbai, Manila, and São Paulo. For multinationals, the option offers a predictable—though expensive—mechanism to deploy executives and technicians on short notice. Travel managers must weigh the $750 premium against project delays, penalties, or lost revenue when key staff cannot travel. Critics argue the pilot creates a two-tier system that privileges wealthier travelers and undermines ongoing efforts to streamline standard scheduling. They also question whether posts with the longest backlogs—often those with staffing shortages—will be able to reserve enough expedited slots without worsening waits for other applicants. To use the service, applicants must still pay the standard $185 MRV fee, complete Form DS-160, and satisfy all existing eligibility criteria. The expedited fee does not accelerate post-interview administrative processing. The State Department says it will publish a list of participating consulates and refund the premium if no appointment is available within the promised window. Corporate mobility teams should update travel-approval workflows to include the new cost option and advise travelers to budget additional time for biometrics and visa issuance. Companies expecting a surge of inbound visitors for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may find the pilot particularly valuable during peak demand months.
For travelers who prefer hands-on assistance, VisaHQ can streamline every step of the U.S. B-1/B-2 application—expedited or standard—by helping applicants complete the DS-160, prepare supporting documents, and track available interview dates in real time. Their specialists can also advise whether the $750 premium is worthwhile in each case. Learn more at https://www.visahq.com/united-states/
The move is a direct response to record-high global wait times that have stretched beyond a year in populous markets such as Mumbai, Manila, and São Paulo. For multinationals, the option offers a predictable—though expensive—mechanism to deploy executives and technicians on short notice. Travel managers must weigh the $750 premium against project delays, penalties, or lost revenue when key staff cannot travel. Critics argue the pilot creates a two-tier system that privileges wealthier travelers and undermines ongoing efforts to streamline standard scheduling. They also question whether posts with the longest backlogs—often those with staffing shortages—will be able to reserve enough expedited slots without worsening waits for other applicants. To use the service, applicants must still pay the standard $185 MRV fee, complete Form DS-160, and satisfy all existing eligibility criteria. The expedited fee does not accelerate post-interview administrative processing. The State Department says it will publish a list of participating consulates and refund the premium if no appointment is available within the promised window. Corporate mobility teams should update travel-approval workflows to include the new cost option and advise travelers to budget additional time for biometrics and visa issuance. Companies expecting a surge of inbound visitors for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may find the pilot particularly valuable during peak demand months.
