Department of State Establishes Temporary $750 Expedited Interview Fee for Certain B1/B2 Visa Applicants
The U.S. Department of State has issued a temporary final rule. This rule introduces a new $750 expedited interview appointment fee for certain applicants seeking B1/B2 visitor visas for business or tourism. The new fee allows qualifying applicants to secure a visa interview appointment within ten business days at selected U.S. embassies and consulates.
This expedited option is supplemental to the standard nonimmigrant visa application (MRV) fee. It is intended to create a premium scheduling pathway for applicants who require faster access to an interview slot. The Department announced the change through a Federal Register notice updating the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services.
Because the rule is temporary and operationally limited, applicants and employers should closely monitor post-specific availability and implementation details.
Background and Scope of the Temporary Rule
Nature of the Expedited Interview Option
The newly introduced $750 fee applies specifically to certain B1/B2 nonimmigrant visa applicants. It is an optional service that, if selected and available, provides an interview appointment within ten business days.
The expedited appointment fee is separate from and in addition to the regular machine-readable visa application fee required for B1/B2 classifications. However, payment of the expedited fee does not replace standard processing requirements. Applicants must still submit the DS-160 application, applicable biometrics, eligibility screening, and consular adjudication.
The Department will deploy this premium scheduling service only at selected U.S. posts and in limited quantities. The State Department will communicate availability and operational details through official channels.
Limited Availability and Operational Flexibility
The expedited interview pathway is not universally available worldwide. Instead, it will be offered at specific consular locations based on operational capacity. Even at participating posts, the number of expedited appointments is expected to be capped.
The program may adjust, expand, restrict, or discontinue based on resource considerations, demand levels, and broader visa processing priorities as a temporary rule.
Practical Implications for Travelers and Employers
Impact on Business Travel and Corporate Mobility
For employers that rely on short-term business travel to the United States, the introduction of a guaranteed interview window may offer an additional planning mechanism. This could be helpful during periods of heavy visa demand or appointment backlogs.
B1 visa classifications are commonly used for business visitors attending meetings, negotiating contracts, participating in training, or engaging in other permissible short-term commercial activities. Delays in interview scheduling can disrupt corporate timelines. Additionally, project launches, site visits, and cross-border collaboration may be affected.
By creating a paid expedited interview channel, the Department has introduced a market-based mechanism for securing faster access to consular appointments, subject to availability. As a result, employers evaluating international mobility timelines may consider this option when traditional appointment backlogs pose operational challenges.
Considerations for Individual Travelers
Individual travelers seeking B2 tourist visas may also find value in the expedited option when urgent personal travel plans intersect with limited appointment availability. However, the additional $750 fee significantly increases the overall cost of the visa process. This may not be practical for all applicants.
Importantly, securing an expedited interview appointment does not guarantee visa approval. All applicants remain subject to standard eligibility requirements under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This includes demonstrating nonimmigrant intent and qualifying for the requested classification.
Strategic and Compliance Considerations
Planning Around Post-Specific Conditions
Because the expedited interview service will only be available at selected consulates and in limited quantities, stakeholders should verify post-level participation before incorporating the option into travel planning strategies.
Applicants who assume universal access to expedited scheduling may encounter inconsistencies based on location, demand, and administrative capacity. Companies with global workforces may experience varying levels of access depending on where employees apply.
Temporary Nature of the Rule
The Department has characterized the new fee structure as a temporary measure. As such, procedures, pricing, scope, or availability may evolve. Additional operational guidance or modifications could follow as the Department evaluates program demand and resource allocation.
Given the temporary framework, organizations and individuals should treat the expedited fee option as a contingent planning tool. It is not a permanent procedural entitlement.
Broader Context in Visa Processing Operations
The introduction of a premium interview scheduling fee reflects ongoing efforts by the Department of State to manage high consular workloads. At the same time, it offers limited flexibility to applicants facing time-sensitive travel needs. In recent years, appointment availability for visitor visas has fluctuated significantly across global posts.
By adding a paid expedited pathway limited in quantity and scope, the Department has created an alternative channel. This channel may help address urgent demand without reallocating standard appointment capacity.
Applicants, HR teams, and immigration professionals should continue to review official Department of State updates to determine eligibility, location-specific implementation, and any subsequent changes to the temporary rule.
