WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration is preparing to launch a new “premium” visa processing option that would allow foreign business and tourist visa applicants to secure interview appointments within 10 days by paying an additional $750 fee, according to a State Department notice set to be published in the Federal Register.
The pilot program, highlighted by Fox News, is scheduled to run from July 1 through Dec. 31, 2026, and will initially be available at select U.S. embassies and consulates. Participating diplomatic posts are expected to be announced before the program takes effect.
Under the proposal, applicants seeking B-1 business visas or B-2 tourist visas would pay the new $750 premium fee in addition to the existing $185 nonimmigrant visa application fee, bringing the total cost to $935 for those opting into the expedited service.
Applicants who pay the additional fee would be guaranteed an interview appointment within 10 days of payment. However, the State Department emphasized that the service would only accelerate interview scheduling and would not guarantee visa approval.
Effort to Address Lengthy Wait Times
The initiative comes as many foreign travelers continue to face significant delays in securing visa interview appointments. In some countries that are not part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, applicants can wait several months or longer for an interview slot.
The State Department described the effort as a pilot program designed to evaluate demand for expedited services and determine whether a permanent fast-track option may be feasible in the future.
The new fee-based service would operate alongside existing procedures that allow applicants to request emergency or expedited appointments in limited circumstances, such as urgent medical needs or time-sensitive business travel.
Part of Broader Visa Screening Changes
The expedited interview program arrives amid a broader tightening of U.S. immigration and visa policies under the Trump administration.
In recent months, the administration has expanded screening requirements for many visa applicants, including enhanced vetting of personal history and social media activity. The State Department has also implemented a visa bond pilot program that can require certain applicants from countries with high visa overstay rates to post bonds of up to $15,000 as a condition of visa issuance.
Critics have argued that the additional screening measures have contributed to processing backlogs and longer wait times for prospective travelers. Supporters contend the policies strengthen national security and help ensure compliance with U.S. immigration laws.
Industry Concerns Over International Travel
The move follows earlier reports that administration officials had considered charging as much as $1,000 for expedited visa interview appointments. Travel industry groups have repeatedly warned that lengthy visa wait times discourage international visitors and could affect tourism, convention attendance and business travel to the United States.
If demand for the premium service proves strong during the six-month trial period, State Department officials could extend the program beyond Dec. 31, according to reports.
For now, foreign travelers willing to pay the additional fee may soon have a new option to bypass lengthy appointment queues, though they will still need to satisfy all visa eligibility and security screening requirements before receiving approval.
