US announces non-refundable $750 premium fee to bypass Visa Interview queues

The US Government, through the State Department, is introducing a “premium” expedited service for foreign nationals seeking business or tourist visas.

This optional add-on will cost applicants $750 in addition to the standard $185 visa application charge, bringing the total cost to $935 for those choosing the fast-track option.

Under this pilot initiative, which is scheduled to run from July 1 to December 31, eligible B1 and B2 visa applicants can secure an interview appointment within 10 days of payment at select US embassies and consulates.

The policy arrives as global interview wait times stretch to several months, and in some regions exceed a year, presenting a barrier to short-notice commercial and personal travel.

To utilize the service, applicants who manage to secure an expedited interview slot will face a remarkably tight window of five to 10 minutes to complete the transaction.

If the non-refundable fee is not settled within this timeframe, the notice states that “he or she will lose the hold, and the expedited appointment will be reopened to other applicants.”

The State Department anticipates that approximately 25,705 travelers will utilize the premium option annually, potentially generating around $19.3 million in revenue.

Officials emphasize that paying the fee only accelerates the scheduling of the interview itself and does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. The select embassies and consulates participating in the pilot are expected to be announced before the program officially takes effect.