State Department launches $750 visa interview pilot

The U.S. State Department will launch a pilot program next month allowing certain visa applicants to pay a $750 fee for expedited interview appointments. The program, set to run from July 1 through December 31, will offer applicants the ability to schedule an interview within 10 days at select U.S. embassies and consulates, in addition to the standard $185 visa application fee.

The new service applies to applicants for B-1/B-2 visas, which are temporary, nonimmigrant visas for business, tourism, or medical treatment. The State Department described the initiative as an optional premium service, noting that paying the fee does not guarantee a visa will be approved. The specific diplomatic posts where the expedited service will be available have not yet been announced.

Officials framed the six-month pilot as a test of demand for a fee-based expedited service, citing major upcoming international events. The program coincides with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is expected to draw over a million foreign visitors to the United States this month, and precedes the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. The department estimates approximately 25,700 applicants will use the...