From 2 July, Brazilians applying for U.S. tourist or business visas can skip the months-long wait for a consular appointment—if they are willing to pay. Under a pilot that the U.S. State Department is running only in Brazil, applicants for B1/B2 visas may buy a “priority interview” slot for an additional fee of US$750 per person. The new lane promises interview dates within ten calendar days, compared with the 120- to 420-day queues that have plagued São Paulo, Rio and Brasília since the pandemic. According to immigration attorney André Linhares, who spoke to BandNews TV, the scheme mirrors the premium-processing model long used inside the United States for status changes. Crucially, it affects only scheduling—not the outcome. Adjudication standards, security checks and refusal risks remain identical, and no refunds are offered for denied visas.
![U.S. rolls out US$750 ‘fast-track’ interview pilot for Brazilian B1/B2 visa applicants]()
For Brazilians looking for step-by-step help navigating the DS-160, fee payments and appointment logistics, VisaHQ’s Brazil portal (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/) provides an easy online concierge service. The platform supplies customised checklists, real-time status alerts and optional courier handling, streamlining both the new premium lane and the traditional application process—as well as visas for dozens of other destinations.
For corporates, the pilot could be a game-changer. Multinationals complained that routine trips for sales calls, equipment repairs or trade fairs were being cancelled because staff could not secure interviews in time. A US$750 surcharge is steep—especially for families—but cheaper than re-booking last-minute flights or losing a contract. Travel-management firms say they have already integrated the paid-priority option into their client portals, although demand will be triaged to ensure true urgency. Consular sources tell industry groups that the pilot will run for six months while the government monitors fraud risks and public backlash. If successful, it could be expanded to work visas such as L-1 intracompany transfers and H-1B speciality occupations—categories heavily used by Brazilian tech and energy companies. Applicants must first create the standard DS-160 form, then pay both the regular US$185 MRV fee and the premium charge before accessing the accelerated calendar. Interviews will still take place at the U.S. consulates in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife and the embassy in Brasília. The U.S. Mission advises travellers not to buy non-refundable tickets until they hold a valid visa.
For Brazilians looking for step-by-step help navigating the DS-160, fee payments and appointment logistics, VisaHQ’s Brazil portal (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/) provides an easy online concierge service. The platform supplies customised checklists, real-time status alerts and optional courier handling, streamlining both the new premium lane and the traditional application process—as well as visas for dozens of other destinations.
For corporates, the pilot could be a game-changer. Multinationals complained that routine trips for sales calls, equipment repairs or trade fairs were being cancelled because staff could not secure interviews in time. A US$750 surcharge is steep—especially for families—but cheaper than re-booking last-minute flights or losing a contract. Travel-management firms say they have already integrated the paid-priority option into their client portals, although demand will be triaged to ensure true urgency. Consular sources tell industry groups that the pilot will run for six months while the government monitors fraud risks and public backlash. If successful, it could be expanded to work visas such as L-1 intracompany transfers and H-1B speciality occupations—categories heavily used by Brazilian tech and energy companies. Applicants must first create the standard DS-160 form, then pay both the regular US$185 MRV fee and the premium charge before accessing the accelerated calendar. Interviews will still take place at the U.S. consulates in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife and the embassy in Brasília. The U.S. Mission advises travellers not to buy non-refundable tickets until they hold a valid visa.
