The U.S. Department of State is testing a Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) Expedited Appointment Pilot Program at select U.S. embassies and consulates through December 31, 2026.
The program is optional and voluntary. Applicants at participating locations can choose whether to use the expedited appointment option. The pilot gives the Department of State an additional tool to manage visa applications more efficiently for individuals with urgent travel needs while maintaining the required standards for security screening and vetting.
How the Expedited Appointment Program Works
Under the pilot program, eligible applicants applying for B-1/B-2 visitor visas may pay an additional $750 expedited appointment fee to obtain a visa interview appointment within 10 business days, subject to appointment availability.
Applicants must first follow the standard visa application process, which includes:
- Paying the regular $185 Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee.
- Completing the required visa application process.
- Scheduling a regular visa interview appointment.
- Signing into their visa appointment account to determine whether the “Paid Expedite” option is available.
Participating posts will reserve a limited number of appointments each day for the expedited program. If an expedited appointment is available and the applicant meets the eligibility requirements, it will appear as an option during the appointment scheduling process.
After selecting an expedited appointment date and time, applicants must complete the $750 payment within 10 minutes to secure the appointment.
Once an expedited appointment has been scheduled, the date and time cannot be changed or rescheduled. Applicants who miss their appointment will forfeit the expedited appointment fee, which is non-refundable.
Important: An Expedited Appointment Does Not Guarantee Visa Approval
The expedited appointment program only provides an opportunity to obtain an earlier visa interview.
It does not guarantee:
- Visa issuance
- Approval of the visa application
- Expedited visa processing after the interview
- A favorable consular decision
All U.S. visa applicants remain subject to the same comprehensive security screening and vetting procedures. Applicants must demonstrate to the consular officer that they meet all applicable requirements under U.S. immigration law.
Applicants who use the expedited appointment program must meet the same eligibility requirements as other visa applicants and undergo the same rigorous screening and vetting.
Those who pay for an expedited appointment may also have the option to select an available premium document delivery service at no additional cost, where such options are offered.
Participating U.S. Embassies and Consulates
The following U.S. missions are participating in the pilot program, with the indicated launch dates:
| U.S. Mission | Launch Date |
|---|---|
| Mission Canada – Embassy and all consulates | August 18, 2026 |
| Embassy Bogota | August 18, 2026 |
| Embassy Guatemala City | August 18, 2026 |
| Embassy San Jose | August 18, 2026 |
| Embassy Tegucigalpa | August 18, 2026 |
| Mission Mexico – Embassy and all consulates | July 21, 2026 |
Additional embassies and consulates may be added during the pilot period.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. I need an earlier appointment for a tourist or business visa, but my travel does not qualify for an emergency appointment. What can I do?
If the program is available in the country where you are applying, you may be able to pay the $750 expedited appointment fee to obtain an earlier appointment for a B visa.
You must first schedule a regular visa appointment. After that, sign into your appointment account, select “Continue,” choose “Request Expedite,” and look for the “Paid Expedite” option.
The Paid Expedite option will only appear when:
- The program is available in your country.
- An expedited appointment is available.
- You meet the applicable eligibility requirements.
2. What is a “Paid Expedite” appointment?
A Paid Expedite appointment allows an eligible B visa applicant to pay an additional $750 fee to obtain a visa interview appointment within the next 10 business days, subject to availability.
This fee is separate from and in addition to the regular $185 MRV application fee.
Applicants must already have a future regular appointment scheduled and must meet the applicable eligibility requirements.
Paying the expedited appointment fee does not guarantee visa approval or expedited visa processing. It only provides access to an earlier interview appointment.
3. Who qualifies for a Paid Expedite appointment?
Applicants applying for a B visa who have a future interview appointment scheduled may be eligible to access the Paid Expedite option.
However, the program is available only in certain countries. If the option is not offered in the country where the applicant is applying, it will not appear in the appointment system.
Availability is also subject to the limited number of expedited appointments offered by participating posts.
4. What happens if my visa is refused after I paid for a Paid Expedite appointment?
The $750 expedited appointment fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
The fee provides access to an earlier interview appointment but does not guarantee that a visa will be issued.
If the consular officer refuses the visa application, the expedited appointment fee will not be refunded.
5. I am applying as part of a group. Does every applicant have to pay the expedited appointment fee?
Yes. Each applicant who wants to use the Paid Expedite appointment option must pay the $750 expedited appointment fee.
The appointment system may provide an option to separate members of a group. This allows only certain members of the group to schedule expedited appointments while others retain their regular appointments.
6. My emergency appointment request was denied. Can I still use the Paid Expedite option?
Yes. An applicant whose request for a regular emergency visitor visa appointment was denied may still be able to schedule a Paid Expedite appointment, provided the applicant meets the applicable eligibility requirements and the option is available.
7. I am renewing my visa and qualify for an interview waiver. Can I pay the expedited appointment fee to have my application processed faster?
No.
The expedited appointment pilot is intended for applicants who have a scheduled interview appointment and are eligible to obtain an earlier interview.
Applicants using the interview waiver process cannot use the Paid Expedite fee to obtain faster processing.
8. What happens if I miss my Paid Expedite appointment?
Paid Expedite appointments are one-time appointments and cannot be rescheduled.
Applicants should carefully select an appointment date and time that they can attend.
If you miss your Paid Expedite appointment, you will forfeit the $750 expedited appointment fee.
If your original MRV fee was paid less than one year ago, you may be able to schedule a new regular appointment without paying another MRV fee, subject to the applicable rules and available appointment slots.
If you want to schedule another Paid Expedite appointment, you must pay another $750 expedited appointment fee.
9. Can I reschedule my Paid Expedite appointment after paying the fee?
No.
Paid Expedite appointments can only be scheduled once and cannot be rescheduled.
Applicants should make sure they are available on the selected date and time before completing the expedited appointment payment.
If you cancel the Paid Expedite appointment, you will forfeit the $750 expedited appointment fee.
Key Takeaways for B Visa Applicants
The new pilot program may provide an additional option for eligible B visa applicants who need an earlier interview but do not qualify for a traditional emergency appointment.
However, applicants should keep the following points in mind:
- The program is optional.
- It applies only at participating U.S. embassies and consulates.
- The expedited appointment fee is $750 per applicant.
- Applicants must first pay the regular $185 MRV fee and schedule a regular appointment.
- Expedited appointments are subject to availability.
- The target is an interview within 10 business days, not guaranteed visa issuance.
- Paid Expedite appointments cannot be rescheduled.
- The $750 fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Every applicant remains subject to the same visa eligibility requirements, security screening, and consular review.
- Paying the expedited fee does not guarantee approval of the visa.
Immigration Fleet Law Firm