What is the new rule about?
The Department of State is creating a temporary $750 expedited appointment fee for certain B1/B2 visitor visa applicants who want an earlier interview appointment.

Which visa categories does this apply to?
It applies only to B1/B2 business and tourism visas. It does not apply to H-1B, L-1, F-1, H-4, or immigrant visas.

When does this rule start?
The rule becomes effective on July 1, 2026.

How long will this program last?
It is temporary and will run through December 31, 2026, unless the Department later changes or extends it.

How much is the expedite fee?
The expedite appointment fee is $750 per person.

Is the $750 fee in addition to the normal visa fee?
Yes. Applicants must still pay the normal MRV visa application fee, which is currently $185 for B1/B2 applicants, plus the $750 expedite fee if they choose this option.

Does paying $750 guarantee a visa approval?
No. This fee only helps secure an earlier interview appointment. It does not guarantee visa issuance.

Does the fee speed up administrative processing?
No. If the case is placed in administrative processing, the $750 fee does not speed that up.

How fast will the expedited appointment be?
The goal is to allow eligible applicants to schedule an interview within 10 business days, subject to availability.

Will this be available at every U.S. consulate?
No. It will be available only at selected posts listed by the Department of State.

Will India be included?
The rule does not list specific countries in the text. Applicants must check travel.state.gov or the visa scheduling system to see whether their consulate offers this option.

Is this option mandatory?
No. It is optional. Applicants who do not want to pay can keep their regular appointment.

Can an applicant still request a free emergency appointment?
Yes. Humanitarian or urgent U.S. national-interest expedite requests may still be available without this fee.

What is the main reason for this new fee?
The Department says it wants to test demand for paid expedited appointments, especially because some posts have very long wait times and major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics may increase travel demand.

Will this reduce regular visa appointment availability?
The Department says expedited slots will be capped and should not meaningfully affect regular appointment wait times.

What happens if someone pays the fee but misses or cancels the appointment?
The applicant forfeits the $750 expedite fee.

Can an applicant book the expedited appointment directly?
The applicant must first complete the DS-160, pay the MRV fee, and schedule a regular appointment. Then, if expedited slots are available, the applicant may select one and pay the $750 fee.

How much time does the applicant get to pay after selecting an expedited slot?
The system may hold the expedited appointment for about 5 to 10 minutes while the applicant pays the fee.

Why is the fee so high?
The Department says the $750 amount is based on its cost-recovery model, including appointment management, staffing adjustments, fraud prevention, and operational costs.

What is the practical takeaway?
This is a paid “front-of-the-line” appointment pilot for B1/B2 visitor visas only. It may help people with urgent travel plans get an interview faster, but it is expensive and does not guarantee visa approval.

By: Rahul Reddy

Rahul Reddy is the founding partner of Reddy Neumann Brown PC. He founded our firm in 1997 and has over 28 years of experience practicing employment-based immigration. Rahul‘s vast knowledge of the complex immigration system makes him an invaluable resource and an expert in the field. His personal experience with the immigration system has made him empathetic to each of his clients’ cases and empowered him to help others achieve the American Dream.

Rahul‘s dedication to serving the immigrant community is evident, from his daily free conference calls to his weekly immigration Q&As on Facebook and YouTube Live. He is an active member of the immigrant community and one of the founders of ITServe Alliance. He has been a member of American Immigration Lawyers Association since 1995.