US Launches $750 Premium Visa Interview Service at Select Embassies

The United States Department of State will introduce a $750 premium visa interview service for foreign nationals applying for business (B-1) and tourist (B-2) visas, allowing faster appointment scheduling at select embassies and consulates, according to a notice set to appear in the Federal Register.

The new system will allow eligible applicants to secure an expedited visa interview appointment within 10 business days of payment. The fee is separate from the standard $185 non-immigrant visa application charge , bringing the total cost for users of the service to $935.

Officials said the programme will run as a six-month pilot initiative from July 1 to December 31, 2026 , with its continuation dependent on demand, capacity, and operational review. The service will be introduced at selected US diplomatic missions worldwide , though the list of participating embassies and consulates has not yet been disclosed.

The initiative is aimed at addressing persistent global visa appointment backlogs , which have in some countries stretched from several months to over a year. The backlog has been attributed to heightened security screening measures, increased demand for travel visas, and stricter documentation requirements introduced in recent years, including expanded background vetting and additional applicant scrutiny.

Under the policy environment associated with the administration of Donald Trump, the United States has also introduced tougher immigration controls in several regions, including higher financial assurances and enhanced screening processes. These changes have significantly increased processing delays at consulates worldwide.

Officials emphasized that the “premium add-on service” does not guarantee visa approval and does not alter eligibility standards or adjudication procedures. It only accelerates the scheduling of the interview appointment.

Applicants from countries outside the Visa Waiver Program are expected to benefit most from the initiative, as these regions currently face the longest wait times for interview slots. In some cases, delays have reached several months due to limited consular capacity.

The State Department has said it will release further details on eligible locations before the programme begins on July 1, and will evaluate whether to extend or modify the system based on usage and effectiveness.