New $750 Expedited B-1/B-2 Visa Interview Fee: What USA Immigration Applicants Must Know in 2026

If you or a family member are planning to apply for a B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visa to visit the United States, there is an important new development you need to know about. Starting July 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) is launching a temporary pilot program that allows B-1/B-2 visa applicants to pay a $750 fee for an expedited interview appointment at selected U.S. embassies and consulates around the world.

This new rule, published in the Federal Register on June 9, 2026 (91 FR 34768), is effective from July 1 through December 31, 2026. It is being introduced as a pilot to test demand for a premium, fee-based appointment service — motivated in part by the 2026 FIFA World Cup and preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. Here is everything you need to know about this change and how it might affect your travel and immigration plans.

What Is the New $750 Expedited B-1/B-2 Visa Interview Fee?

Under this temporary final rule, B-1/B-2 visa applicants can optionally pay an additional $750 on top of the standard nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application fee. In exchange, they are able to schedule a visa interview appointment within ten business days at participating U.S. embassies and consulates.

This is a completely optional service. If you choose not to pay the expedited fee, your standard visa application process remains unchanged — you simply wait for a regular appointment as before. The expedited option is designed for people who have urgent travel needs and cannot wait for a standard appointment slot.

Key points to understand:

• The $750 fee is an additional fee on top of the regular visa application fee (currently $185 for B-1/B-2 visas)
• It guarantees an interview appointment within 10 business days at selected posts
• It is available only at limited posts (embassies/consulates) — the full list will be published at travel.state.gov
• Spots are available in limited quantities per post, so availability is not guaranteed
• The fee is non-refundable, even if your visa is ultimately denied

Does Paying the Fee Guarantee a Visa Approval?

This is perhaps the most important thing to understand: paying the $750 expedited fee does NOT guarantee that your visa will be approved. The fee only speeds up the scheduling of your interview appointment — it has no effect on the decision made on your visa application itself.

A consular officer will still evaluate your application on its full merits. You must still demonstrate that you qualify for a B-1/B-2 visa, including that you have strong ties to your home country, sufficient funds for your trip, and a clear intention to return home after your visit. Paying this premium fee simply gets you in front of a consular officer faster — the outcome of that interview depends entirely on the strength of your application and your individual circumstances.

Because the $750 fee is non-refundable, it is important to make sure your application is complete, accurate, and well-supported before choosing the expedited option.

Why Is the U.S. Government Launching This Program Now?

The Department of State has been transparent about the reasons for launching this pilot program at this specific time. The United States is hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is generating enormous worldwide interest and a significant surge in B-1/B-2 visa applications from fans, journalists, and business travelers across the globe. Looking ahead, the country will also host the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

Both events are expected to create peak demand periods for U.S. visitor visas. The Department of State estimates the program could generate approximately $19.3 million in revenue during the pilot period, which will help fund consular operations and staffing. Comments on the rule are due by July 9, 2026. The program takes effect before that comment period closes, making this a “temporary final rule” that moves quickly into action.

Who Should Consider the Expedited Appointment Option?

The $750 expedited fee may be worth considering if you fall into one of these situations:

• FIFA World Cup travelers: If you want to attend a match or travel to the U.S. for the World Cup and need your visa processed quickly before the games begin
• Urgent family visits: If a family member has a medical situation, a new grandchild’s birth, a wedding, or another urgent reason to travel to the U.S.
• Time-sensitive business travel: If a B-1 business traveler has a critical meeting, conference, or event with a fixed date that cannot wait for a standard appointment
• Applicants at high-demand posts: In countries where standard B-1/B-2 interview wait times can stretch to months — such as India, Mexico, Brazil, and the Philippines — the ability to secure an appointment within two weeks may be extremely valuable for urgent situations

However, if your travel is not time-sensitive and you can wait for a regular appointment slot, there is no reason to pay the additional fee. The standard visa process remains available to all applicants at no change in cost.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process

If you decide to use the expedited appointment service once it launches on July 1, 2026, here are the general steps to follow:

• Step 1: Complete the DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application form online at ceac.state.gov
• Step 2: Pay the standard B-1/B-2 visa application fee ($185)
• Step 3: Check travel.state.gov to confirm whether your local U.S. embassy or consulate is participating in the expedited appointment program
• Step 4: If your post is participating and slots are available, pay the additional $750 expedited appointment fee
• Step 5: Schedule your interview appointment within ten business days at that post
• Step 6: Attend your interview with all required supporting documents and demonstrate your eligibility for the visa

Because spots are available in limited quantities, it is important to check availability as early as possible after July 1, 2026 if you are interested in this option.

What This Means for Immigrant Families in the U.S.

For immigrant families already living in the United States, this new option has real practical significance. Many immigrant families need to bring parents, siblings, or extended relatives for a visit — and at busy consulates in countries like India, Brazil, and Mexico, B-2 tourist visa interview wait times can stretch from several months to nearly a year.

The expedited fee option could allow families to speed up a visit for a family reunion, to meet a new grandchild, to support a family member during a medical situation, or to attend a milestone celebration. While $750 is a meaningful additional expense on top of the $185 application fee, for families where the alternative is a six-month wait, the cost may be well worth it.

It is worth emphasizing, however, that this program is a pilot running only through December 31, 2026, and is being tested at a limited number of posts. Not every U.S. embassy or consulate will participate, so check the official travel.state.gov website to confirm your post’s participation before making plans based on this option.

Key Dates and Deadlines to Remember

• June 9, 2026: Rule published in Federal Register (91 FR 34768, AILA Doc. No. 26060905)
• July 1, 2026: Expedited appointment service becomes available at participating posts
• July 9, 2026: Deadline to submit public comments on the rule
• December 31, 2026: Pilot program ends (unless extended by the Department of State)

What You Should Do Right Now

Whether or not you plan to use the expedited fee option, here are practical steps to take now:

• Monitor travel.state.gov for the official list of participating posts and updated availability information as of July 1, 2026
• Begin your DS-160 application in advance so you are ready to schedule an appointment quickly once the service opens
• Remember that the $750 fee is non-refundable — make sure your application is complete and your supporting documents are strong before paying
• If you have a complex visa history, prior denials, or concerns about your eligibility, consult with a qualified immigration attorney before choosing the expedited option
• If you want to comment on the rule, submit your comments to the Department of State by July 9, 2026

This new development is a significant change to how B-1/B-2 visa appointments work and is worth watching closely — particularly if you have family members waiting overseas for interview slots. According to the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), which reported this development on June 9, 2026, the rule is designed as a test of whether a premium appointment service can help manage surging demand while improving consular service capacity.

For the full details and legal guidance on the new expedited B-1/B-2 fee rule and your specific visa situation, visit the American Immigration Lawyers Association at aila.org or consult a qualified immigration attorney who can evaluate your individual circumstances.