The U.S. is Piloting a $750 Fast-Track Fee for B Visa Appointments

The U.S. Department of State is introducing a paid expedite option for B visa applicants: from 1st July 2026, certain consular posts will offer initial appointment slots within 10 business days. This is a massive reduction on the average wait time, which can exceed a whole year.

However, to take advantage of this new, shiny timeline, you’ll need to cough up an extra $750. 

Here’s what this fast-track fee means in practice, and how (if at all) it impacts you.

What Is the $750 Expedite Fee?

From 1st July to 31st December 2026, the State Department is piloting a programme that allows B1/B2 visa applicants to pay a $750 expedite fee to secure an initial consular interview within 10 business days. Without it, wait times at many posts currently average around a year.

The standard non-immigrant visa application fee for a B1/B2 visa is $185. The $750 expedite fee is charged on top of that, bringing the total to $935.

Why Has the U.S. State Department Decided to Pilot This?

The motivation is twofold: the State Department wants to test demand for paid expedited appointments at high-volume posts, and it is anticipating a surge in travel demand driven by major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.

What the Fee Does (and Doesn’t) Do…

It is important to be clear on the scope of this option:

It moves your appointment date forward. Paying the fee secures an initial interview slot within 10 business days at participating posts. That’s the extent of what it guarantees.

It does not improve your chances of getting a visa. Approval depends entirely on the consular officer’s assessment at interview, as always. The expedite fee has no bearing on that outcome.

It does not affect regular appointment availability. The State Department has indicated that the introduction of paid expedited slots should not affect the availability of standard (free) appointment slots.

The application process remains mostly unchanged. Where the option is available, you will be offered the chance to pay the fee, but you will have only 5–10 minutes to commit once the option is presented. Applicants should think through this decision (and consult the budget) in advance.

Who Does This Affect?

The pilot applies to B1 and B2 visa applicants only (i.e. business visitors and tourists). For corporate travel managers, the most relevant category is the B1 visa, used for business travel such as attending meetings, conferences, or training.

Crucially, the pilot does not apply to nationals of Visa Waiver Programme countries, which includes most of Europe (including the UK), Australia, Chile, Israel, Japan, Qatar, and South Korea, among others. Travellers from those countries do not require a B visa to enter the U.S. for short business or leisure trips.

The pilot will operate at select consular posts, not universally. The State Department will publish which posts are participating.

What Should Travel Managers Do?

There is no immediate action required. The expedite fee option neither slows down the existing visa process nor guarantees a faster outcome in terms of approval. For most corporate travel programmes, the status quo remains.

That said, there are two things worth tracking:

• Monitor the State Department’s visa news page (travel.state.gov) to see which consular posts are participating in the pilot. This is relevant if your organisation has employees who regularly apply for B1 visas at high-volume posts with long wait times.
• Brief relevant travellers on the option. If an employee has urgent business travel and is applying from a country where B visas are required, the $750 fee could be worth considering. However, they should note that this only guarantees an earlier appointment, not a visa.

The Bottom Line

This is a paid front-of-the-line option for B1/B2 appointment slots, not a visa fast-track. It is expensive, limited in scope, and only runs until the end of 2026. For most organisations, it will remain a niche option that’s useful in specific circumstances, but not something that requires a policy overhaul. Watch the State Department’s announcements for which posts are included, and keep it in your back pocket for genuinely urgent cases.

References

1. RN Law Group. FAQ: New $750 Fee for Faster U.S. Visitor and Business Visa Interviews. Retrieved June 2026. https://www.rnlawgroup.com/faq-new-750-fee-for-faster-u-s-visitor-and-business-visa-interviews/ 
2. Fragomen. United States: Starting July 1, Certain Consular Posts May Offer Expedited B Visa Appointments for an Additional Fee. Retrieved June 2026. https://www.fragomen.com/insights/united-states-starting-july-1-certain-consular-posts-may-offer-expedited-b-visa-appointments-for-an-additional-fee.html 
3. Goldstein, M. The New Fee That Can Get You a U.S. Visa Appointment Faster. The New York Times, 10 June 2026. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/10/travel/expedited-tourist-visa.html