The United States Department of State has introduced a new “premium” expedited service for B1/B2 visa applicants, allowing travellers to pay $750 for interview appointments scheduled within 10 business days.
According to a notice published in the Federal Register on June 9, 2026 and cited by PUNCH Online on Monday, the pilot programme will run from July 1 to December 31, 2026, and will only be available at selected embassies and consulates.
The department said the new service is designed as an optional add-on for applicants seeking faster interview slots, especially amid growing demand and long waiting periods across several US missions.
In its official rule, the State Department stated, “This temporary final rule is designed to collect information from select countries about the demand for a fee-based process to expedite a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment.”
It added that the programme is also aimed at improving efficiency in visa scheduling
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