On June 9, 2026, the U.S. Department of State published a temporary final rule introducing an optional $750 premium fee to expedite interview scheduling for B-1/B-2 (business and tourism) visa applicants.

For travelers facing long consular wait times, the new option offers a way to secure an interview much sooner — but it comes with important limits that every applicant should understand before paying.

The expedite is an upgrade layered on top of the normal process:

• Complete your Form DS-160, pay the standard $185 MRV fee, and first schedule a regular (non-expedited) interview date.
• If the consular post is participating and has capacity, you will then see an online option to upgrade to an expedited slot within 10 business days by paying the $750 fee.

The premium fee buys a faster appointment — and nothing more. Keep these guardrails in mind:

• No guarantee of approval: The $750 fee only accelerates the appointment date. It does not influence the consular officer’s decision, guarantee visa issuance, or bypass any standard eligibility or screening requirements.
• Adjudication is not fast-tracked: The fee does not speed up administrative processing. Any security or eligibility clearances still take the standard amount of time.
• Limited availability: The service is not offered globally. The State Department will list participating embassies and consulates on travel.state.gov, and slots are strictly capped to avoid lengthening regular appointment waits.
• Non-refundable and rigid: Failing to attend the expedited appointment or complete payment results in forfeiting both the slot and the fee.

The pilot is aimed at easing severe visa interview backlogs — which currently exceed 12 months at several consulates worldwide — and at managing the surge in travel demand expected around major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Importantly, the existing no-fee expedited interview options — for urgent humanitarian needs, emergencies, or U.S. government-referred travel — remain active and unchanged at all consular posts. At the end of 2026, the State Department will review pilot data to decide whether to keep, adjust, or end the paid premium service.

Whether the $750 premium is worth it depends on your situation:

• It may make sense if you have time-sensitive business or travel plans and your nearest participating post has long standard wait times.
• It is likely not worth it if you are counting on it to improve your chances of approval — it does nothing for the decision itself.
• Before paying, confirm that your consular post is participating and that you can realistically attend the earlier appointment, since the fee is non-refundable.

Check the list of participating posts on travel.state.gov, and weigh the cost against how much an earlier interview is actually worth to you.

A faster interview can be valuable, but a successful B-1/B-2 application still comes down to eligibility, documentation, and presenting your case clearly. If you are planning to travel and want to make sure your application is as strong as possible — expedited or not — we can help.

At Keller Law Group, LLC, we guide business and tourism travelers through the visa process and help them avoid avoidable delays and denials.

Schedule a consultation today.
Keller Law Group, LLC
Phone: (857) 810-8040
Email: hello@kellerimmigration.com