Getting a visa to visit the US may soon take less time for some travelers, but at a cost. Starting July 1, travelers applying for B1 and B2 nonimmigrant visas for business and tourist purposes will be able to pay extra to jump ahead of others in the queue for visa interviews. This Temporary Final Rule (TFR) is effective July 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. According to the US State Department, it is a part of a “proof-of-concept” pilot program designed to assess demand for expedited services. According to information on US government’s regulations.gov website, this TFR rule temporarily amends the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services (Schedule), to create a $750 fee for a new service that will enable B1/B2 business and tourism NIV applicants to obtain an expedited interview appointment, within ten business days after paying an NIV expedited appointment fee in accordance with applicable instructions, subject to availability of expedited appointments at the location selected. This service will be offered at limited overseas posts, as published on travel.state.gov, for the duration of the TFR. The service will only be available to B1/B2 NIV applicants.
Who can apply for $750 visa fast pass and how
According to the US government, “During the pilot program implemented through this TFR, applicants at identified posts will have a chance to move to the front of the appointment line by paying a $750 fee without providing a written justification or seeking personal intervention through the Priority Appointment Request or Referrals processes. Recipients of this service will also receive enhanced passback options for return of the passport, if available. Applicants who opt to pay for an expedited appointment will still be subject to all standard visa eligibility and processing requirements, including any administrative processing deemed necessary. An expedited visa appointment in no way guarantees visa issuance. This service will not expedite any processing steps, including any time needed for administrative processing. Because expedited appointments will be capped at a percent of selected posts’ overall interviewing capacity, this service will not meaningfully affect wait times for NIV appointments for all other applicants. Consular managers at both pilot posts and non-pilot posts will maintain the ability to expedite interviews without a fee for specific humanitarian reasons or for urgent travel when in the U.S. national interest, for example, someone needing serious and urgent medical treatment best provided in the United States.” The US State Department reiterates that applications with these expedited appointments are subject to standard processing, including interview by a consular officer, and all vetting requirements. Payment of the expedite fee does not entitle the applicant to any other expedited processing beyond scheduling of the visa interview appointment and return of the applicant’s passport with the visa, if approved, as available.
Why is US Department creating new NIV service
As per the US State Department, it regularly reviews its fees for consular services to ensure that fees are properly “assessed against each identifiable recipient for special benefits derived from Federal activities beyond those received by the general public.” Normally, there are three avenues for an NIV applicant to request and receive an expedited interview at no cost in exceptional circumstances. In each of these cases, the applicant still must demonstrate that he or she qualifies for the visa classification requested. All require personal intervention by consular and mission staff under strict criteria. These are:* The “Referral” process whereby a senior US government employee of the US diplomatic mission in the country vouches for the applicant and attests that his or her travel benefits US interests. Of these three methods, this is the only avenue for an authorized US government official to advocate for visa issuance.* The “Priority Appointment Request” whereby an authorized U.S. government employee of the U.S. diplomatic mission may request the consular section provide an earlier appointment to a contact who furthers U.S. national interest.* Applicant-Requested Expedite Request: Applicants in extreme circumstances may request an expedited appointment to enable travel for humanitarian reasons or other post-specific criteria for urgent travel. Consular managers at post review each of these requests.These resource-intensive methods for expediting an appointment negatively affect the Department’s capacity to process all visa applications. The new service to be implemented on a limited basis via this TFR will create a fee-based mechanism for applicants to obtain an expedited interview appointment that will reduce the strain on consular resources by bypassing both the requirement for the applicant to justify his or her need for an expedited interview appointment and the requirement that consular staff review each expedited request.Additionally, while the median global wait time for an NIV appointment is approximately 30 days, at certain posts wait times exceed 12 months, making it difficult for some applicants to apply for visas for urgent or last-minute travel. In any given year, the United States hosts special events that draw significant last-minute visitors, including professional sporting events, major concerts, festivals, etc. In the wake of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, the Department has determined that now is the time to test the demand for and provision of a new fee-based expedited interview appointment service.
