TLDR: The U.S. State Department has launched a new pilot program, effective July 1 through December 31, 2026, that lets B-1/B-2 (business/tourist) visa applicants pay a $750 fee on top of the standard $185 application fee to secure a visa interview appointment within 10 business days at select U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. The fee buys you a faster interview slot, nothing more. It does not guarantee visa approval, bypass security screening, or change any eligibility requirements. If you’re planning travel to the U.S. and facing a long wait for an interview appointment, here’s what you need to know before deciding whether this option is right for you.
A Visa Appointment That Used to Take a Year Could Now Take 10 Days… For a Price
U.S. immigration has never been simple. For millions of people around the world who want to visit the United States for business or tourism, the process can feel especially frustrating, not because they’ve done anything wrong, but because the system is stretched thin. In some countries, wait times for a B-1/B-2 visa interview have ballooned to more than 12 months.
That reality is part of what prompted the State Department to act. On June 9, 2026, the agency published a temporary rule in the Federal Register announcing a new “Nonimmigrant Visa Appointment Expedite Fee”, a pilot program that runs from July 1 to December 31, 2026. For $750 per applicant (on top of the standard $185 visa application fee), qualifying B-1/B-2 visa applicants at select U.S. embassies and consulates can access an expedited interview appointment within 10 business days of payment.
The timing is deliberate. The program launches in the thick of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a massive international event hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and looks ahead to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Both events are expected to generate historically high demand for U.S. visitor visas from around the world.
What’s Actually Going On With U.S. Visa Wait Times?
The U.S. immigration legal process is complex, and visa interview backlogs are one of the most visible pressure points in the system. The global median wait time for a nonimmigrant visa interview is currently around 30 days, but that figure masks enormous variation. At some consular posts, applicants are waiting well over a year just to sit down for an interview before any decision is even made on their case.
Nobody should have to navigate that kind of uncertainty alone, especially when they have legitimate travel plans, business commitments, or family ties in the United States. Whether someone is traveling for a conference, a World Cup match, a medical appointment, or to visit family, a 12-month appointment backlog isn’t just an inconvenience, it can upend real-life plans.
The State Department’s new expedited fee program is one attempt to address that. Whether it’s the right solution for your situation is a different question, and one worth thinking through carefully.
How the $750 Expedited Visa Program Works
Here is a straightforward breakdown of the program’s key mechanics:
- Who it covers: The program applies to B-1/B-2 nonimmigrant visa applicants, the category used for business travel, tourism, and visits to the U.S.
- What it costs: $750 per applicant, in addition to the standard $185 application fee. Total out-of-pocket for the application and expedited appointment: $935.
- What you get: An interview appointment within 10 business days of payment at a participating U.S. embassy or consulate.
- Where it’s available: The program is limited to select U.S. embassies and consulates. The State Department indicated it would announce the specific locations before July 1, 2026.
- Important fine print: Applicants must first book a standard appointment before opting to upgrade to an expedited slot, if one is available. The number of expedited slots is capped to avoid affecting regular appointment availability. The fee is non-refundable if you miss or cancel your expedited appointment.
- How long it lasts: The pilot runs through December 31, 2026. The State Department will then evaluate demand and operational impact before deciding whether to make it permanent, modify it, or discontinue it.
What the $750 Does NOT Do
This is where it pays to read carefully, and where having experienced legal guidance makes a real difference.
The $750 expedited fee buys exactly one thing: a faster interview appointment. It does not:
- Guarantee your visa will be approved
- Change or accelerate the visa adjudication process
- Bypass any security screening or background check requirements
- Waive or modify any eligibility requirements for a B-1/B-2 visa
- Improve your standing with a consular officer
In other words, you still need to meet every standard requirement for a B-1/B-2 visa. You’ll still be screened. Your application will still be reviewed on its merits. The only difference is how quickly you get to sit across from a consular officer.
For applicants who are well-prepared, have a straightforward travel purpose, and are coming from a post where wait times are exceptionally long, the $750 could be genuinely valuable, especially if time-sensitive plans are on the line. For applicants whose cases are complex or whose applications have concerns, a faster interview doesn’t solve the underlying issue.
What This Means for International Travelers and Businesses
This program is arriving in the context of a U.S. immigration landscape that has seen significant policy activity in 2026. The Trump administration has pursued a range of changes affecting both nonimmigrant and immigrant visa categories, and for businesses, employees, and families with ties to the United States, staying on top of developments is increasingly essential.
The B-1/B-2 expedited appointment pilot is, in many ways, a market-based attempt to ease pressure on an overburdened system. It creates a two-track experience; those who can pay $750 get faster access, while those who can’t remain in the standard queue. That’s a trade-off worth acknowledging.
For companies that regularly bring foreign nationals to the U.S. for business (meetings, conferences, site visits, training programs) this program could be a useful tool when timing is critical. A smooth immigration process leads to a better outcome, and that’s true whether you’re a multinational company managing global mobility or an individual planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Should You Pay the $750? Questions to Ask Before You Decide
Before paying the expedited fee, consider a few things:
- What are current wait times at the embassy or consulate where you’ll apply?
If your local post has a two-week wait under standard processing, the fee may not be necessary. If you’re looking at a six- or twelve-month wait, the calculus changes. - Is your travel genuinely time-sensitive?
The fee makes the most sense when there’s a concrete reason (a business event, a sporting event, a medical appointment, a family milestone) that requires a specific travel window. - Is your application straightforward and well-prepared?
A faster interview is only valuable if your application is in good shape. Arriving at an expedited appointment with incomplete documentation or unresolved issues in your application won’t help your case. - Have you spoken with an immigration attorney?
If your situation is at all complex (prior visa issues, prior refusals, unusual travel history, or employer-related complications) getting legal guidance before you apply is the smartest investment you can make. The $750 fee is non-refundable if the appointment is missed. Legal advice before you commit can save you from a costly mistake.
You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone
The U.S. immigration legal process is overwhelming and complex. It changes quickly, often without much warning, and the stakes for individuals, families, and businesses are high. Nobody should have to navigate it alone.
At Berardi Immigration Law, we prepare and file cases for employers, employees, and individuals navigating every aspect of U.S. immigration. From B-1/B-2 visas to H-1Bs, L-1s, and employment-based green cards, our team handles the details so you don’t have to guess your way through one of the most consequential legal processes of your life.
Whether you’re a business evaluating the expedited visa program for an upcoming travel need, an individual trying to understand how this development affects your plans, or an employer thinking about your global mobility strategy, we’re here to help you go from applicant to outcome with clarity and confidence.
A Faster Interview Is Only the Beginning
An expedited appointment gets you in the door faster. A well-prepared, properly filed application with the right legal guidance behind it is what gets you the outcome you’re looking for.
That’s the difference between rushing through a process and moving through it with confidence. At Berardi Immigration Law, we’ve spent years helping individuals and businesses navigate U.S. immigration with preparation, strategy, and care. A smooth process leads to a better immigration outcome, and that’s exactly what we’re here to deliver.
If you have questions about how the new expedited visa program affects your plans, or about any aspect of your immigration situation, contact Berardi Immigration Law to speak with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does paying the $750 expedited fee improve my chances of getting a visa approved?
No. The fee only accelerates your interview appointment. Visa adjudication (the actual decision on whether to grant your visa) follows the same process regardless of whether you paid for expedited access. Consular officers evaluate your application on its own merits, just as they would in any standard interview.
Q: What happens if I pay the $750 but the visa is denied?
If your visa application is denied after an expedited interview, the $750 fee is not refunded. The $185 application fee is also non-refundable under standard policy. The expedited fee covers only the appointment scheduling service, not the outcome of your application.
Q: My company frequently brings foreign visitors to the U.S. for business. Is this program useful for corporate travel?
It could be, particularly for posts with long wait times where time-sensitive business travel is affected. However, the program applies to B-1/B-2 visas, the standard business/tourist visitor category, and is limited to select embassies and consulates. If your company has regular global mobility needs, speaking with an immigration attorney about your options is the best way to assess how this program fits into your broader travel strategy.
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