Monday, June 22, 2026 - The US Government, through the State Department, is introducing a "premium" expedited service for foreign nationals seeking business or tourist visas.
This optional add-on will cost applicants $750 in addition
to the standard $185 visa application charge, bringing the total cost to $935
for those choosing the fast-track option.
Under this pilot initiative, which is scheduled to run from
July 1 to December 31, eligible B1 and B2 visa applicants can secure an
interview appointment within 10 days of payment at select US embassies and
consulates.
The policy arrives as global interview wait times stretch to
several months, and in some regions exceed a year, presenting a barrier to
short-notice commercial and personal travel.
To utilize the service, applicants who manage to secure an
expedited interview slot will face a remarkably tight window of five to 10
minutes to complete the transaction.
If the non-refundable fee is not settled within this
timeframe, the notice states that “he or she will lose the hold, and the
expedited appointment will be reopened to other applicants.”
The State Department anticipates that approximately 25,705
travelers will utilize the premium option annually, potentially generating
around $19.3 million in revenue.
0 Comments