The United States will launch a paid pilot programme from 1 July 2026 that allows business and tourist visa applicants to secure an interview appointment within 10 business days for an additional fee of $750. The scheme, which runs until 31 December 2026, will be available at selected US embassies and consulates worldwide, with the full list of participating locations to be announced before the start date.
The programme applies to B-1 and B-2 visitor visa applicants, covering business and tourism travel. Participants will pay the standard $185 non-immigrant visa application fee plus the new $750 premium charge, bringing the total cost to $935. The expedited appointment fee is non-refundable if an applicant misses or cancels the scheduled interview.
The move was first reported by the Associated Press, which obtained internal documents ahead of an official announcement. A State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the details to AP. The notice is expected to be published in the Federal Register this week.
The pilot does not alter the visa approval process itself. Paying the premium fee secures only a faster interview slot, not a guarantee of visa issuance. Admissibility decisions remain unchanged and continue to be made by consular officers on a case-by-case basis. Applicants facing genuine humanitarian emergencies can still request expedited appointments through existing channels, which operate separately from the new paid service.
The initiative comes as the US faces significant backlogs in visa processing for travellers from countries outside its Visa Waiver Programme. According to the US government, wait times at some consular posts currently exceed one year. The State Department said it will evaluate demand and operational impact during the pilot period before deciding whether to make the service permanent.
The timing of the launch coincides with a period of heightened demand for US travel. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, kicked off on 12 June 2026. The US is also preparing to host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Both events have drawn international attention to US visa processing delays, particularly for visitors from countries subject to additional security scrutiny under the Trump administration.
Earlier this year, FIFA and the White House announced a separate system called the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System, known as FIFA PASS, to help World Cup ticket holders obtain prioritised visa interview appointments. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at the time that the US was offering prioritised appointments so that World Cup fans could complete visa interviews and demonstrate their eligibility to travel.
The broader context for the new premium pilot is one of tightened US immigration policy. The Trump administration has increased security checks across a range of visa categories, and some countries have faced additional requirements including financial guarantees as part of the application process. Critics have raised concerns that a paid fast-track system creates a two-tier structure in which wealthier applicants can bypass queues that others cannot.
The State Department has not indicated how many applicants it expects to participate in the premium service or which specific embassies and consulates will take part. That information is expected to be made public before the programme takes effect on 1 July 2026.
