Tourists Can Now Pay $750 for Expedited Visa Appointments

Starting July 1, tourist visa applicants can pay $750 to get an interview appointment within 10 business days.

According to the State Department’s Federal Register notice, this new service will only be available at select designated consular posts. Applicants who opt in for an expedited appointment still owe the standard $185 machine-readable visa (MRV) application fee, bringing the total consular processing cost to $935.

The State Department calls the temporary pilot program a “proof-of-concept” designed to test demand for expedited, fee-based visa appointment scheduling. After it expires on December 31, 2026, the agency has said it will analyze the data it gathers and determine whether to continue offering the service and/or adjust the cost.

Paying does not guarantee approvals, nor does it speed up administrative processing after the interview. Applicants who cancel or miss their appointment cannot get a refund for the $750.

What this means for tourists

Manifest immigration attorney Ana Gabriela Urizar says from a practical standpoint, this program could be a game changer for travelers who need to visit the U.S. on short notice for business meetings, family emergencies, medical treatment, or time-sensitive tourism plans.

“In some countries, B-1/B-2 visa interview backlogs can stretch for months, or even longer, so securing an appointment within 10 business days may significantly reduce wait times,” she explains. “That said, applicants should keep their expectations realistic. The $750 fee only expedites access to the interview itself; it does not increase the likelihood of visa approval, waive any eligibility requirements, or accelerate administrative processing after the interview.”

According to Urizar, this appears to be the State Department's first major experiment with a premium processing-style model for visitor visas.

She explains: “If the pilot proves successful, we could see expanded availability, higher demand, and potentially a permanent expedited appointment option in the future. But for now, applicants should continue monitoring the State Department and individual consulate websites for announcements regarding participating posts and program availability.”