Beginning July 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of State will introduce a new expedited interview appointment option for B-1/B‑2 visa visitor visa applicants. Under this temporary program, eligible applicants may pay an additional fee to access a faster consular interview appointment at selected U.S. embassies and consulates.
For many applicants, long appointment wait times can create uncertainty, especially when travel is needed for business meetings, family events, tourism, or major international events.
Key Highlights of the Pilot Program
| Feature | Details |
| Start Date | July 1, 2026 |
| Program Duration | July 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026 |
| Eligible Visa Categories | B-1 business visitor and B-2 tourist visas |
| Expedited Appointment Fee | $750 |
| Appointment Timeline | Within 10 business days, subject to availability |
| Availability | Selected U.S. embassies and consulates only |
| Refund Policy | No reimbursement if the applicant cancels or misses the expedited appointment |
What Is the New Expedited Visa Interview Program?
Under a temporary final rule, applicants seeking B-1 business visitor visas and B-2 tourist visas will be able to pay a $750 expedited appointment fee to secure a visa interview appointment within 10 business days at participating U.S. consular posts.
The service will be offered only at selected U.S. embassies and consulates. The State Department is expected to announce participating locations before the program officially begins.
This new option is designed to help applicants who need faster access to visa interviews due to short-notice travel plans. However, expedited appointments will be limited and available only when appointment slots exist.
Who May Benefit From the Expedited Appointment Option?
The new service may be useful for travelers who need to visit the United States quickly but are unable to find an early standard interview appointment.
Business travelers may benefit if they need to attend meetings, conferences, contract negotiations, trade shows, or client visits on short notice.
Tourists may use the option when planning vacations, cruises, national park visits, cultural events, or other time-sensitive trips.
Families may also benefit when traveling for weddings, graduations, reunions, milestone celebrations, or other important personal events in the United States.
Why Is the Program Being Introduced?
The expedited appointment option comes at a time of strong international travel demand. The United States is expected to see increased visitor interest around major events, including the FIFA World Cup 2026, which runs from June 11, 2026, to July 19, 2026, across North America.
In addition to major sporting events, demand for U.S. visitor visas is often driven by international conferences, university visits, cultural festivals, holiday travel, business events, and tourism.
The program appears to be part of the State Department’s broader effort to manage visa appointment demand and reduce delays that have affected travelers in many countries since the pandemic.
Important Limitations Applicants Should Know
Although the expedited appointment service may help applicants obtain interview appointments sooner, it does not speed up the entire visa process. Applicants must still complete all regular visa application steps, including:
- Submitting the DS-160 visa application online
- Paying the required visa processing fee
- Scheduling a regular interview appointment through the correct visa scheduling portal
- Meeting all visa eligibility requirements
- Completing any administrative processing if required
The $750 fee only applies to the expedited interview appointment service. It does not guarantee visa approval and does not accelerate additional processing after the interview.
How Applicants Will Request an Expedited Appointment
Applicants who want an earlier appointment will indicate their interest through the appropriate scheduling system. If expedited appointment slots are available within the next 10 business days, applicants will be able to view those options.
To secure the appointment, the applicant must pay the $750 expedite fee during a short hold period, expected to last approximately 5 to 10 minutes. If the applicant does not pay within that time, the appointment may be released.
Is the Expedited Appointment Guaranteed?
No. The State Department has made clear that expedited appointments will be available only in limited quantities and only at participating consular posts.
The rule states that there is no guarantee expedited appointments will be available to all interested applicants.
This means applicants should not assume they will automatically receive an appointment within 10 business days simply because they are willing to pay the fee.
What Happens If an Applicant Cancels or Misses the Appointment?
Applicants who select an expedited appointment and then cancel or fail to attend will forfeit the expedited appointment fee. The $750 fee is not reimbursed if the applicant does not use the expedited appointment.
A Separate Focus on Visa Compliance
Alongside efforts to improve appointment access, the State Department has also continued to focus on reducing visa overstays and strengthening compliance.
In a separate initiative, the department previously launched a pilot program requiring certain visitor visa applicants to post bonds of up to $15,000 before receiving visas. That program has expanded to include fifty countries, most of them in Africa.