What Is the New Expedited Appointment Program?
The US Department of State has introduced a temporary pilot program called the "Nonimmigrant Visa Expedited Appointment Pilot Program." Running from July 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, it allows certain applicants for B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism)
visas to pay an extra fee to schedule their interview sooner. The stated goal is to test the demand for a premium scheduling service and provide a transparent way for those with urgent travel needs to bypass long queues at notoriously backlogged consular posts. Officials have stressed that this is a "proof of concept" initiative to manage high demand, especially with major events like the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon.
The Cost: A $750 Premium for Speed
The price for this expedited service is a non-refundable $750 fee. This payment is in addition to the standard, non-refundable Machine Readable Visa (MRV) application fee, which is currently $185. This brings the total upfront cost for an applicant using this service to $935. It's crucial to understand that this fee only gets you an earlier appointment date. It does not guarantee that your visa will be approved, nor does it speed up the adjudication process, security screening, or administrative processing that may follow the interview. The existing no-fee expedite requests for genuine humanitarian or medical emergencies will remain in place.
How the Process Works
An applicant cannot simply pay the fee upfront to get a fast appointment. The process requires several steps. First, an applicant must complete the online DS-160 visa application form, pay the standard $185 MRV fee, and schedule a regular interview appointment through the standard booking system. Only after securing a regular appointment will the option for a "Paid Expedite" appear in their online account, and only if they are applying at a participating consulate and premium slots are available. These expedited appointments are limited and offered on a daily basis. Once an applicant selects an expedited date, they have just 10 minutes to complete the $750 payment to secure the slot. The appointment, once booked, cannot be changed, and missing it results in forfeiting the fee.
Is This Pilot Program Available in India?
This is the most critical question for applicants in India, and the current answer is no. As of late August 2026, the pilot program is not active at any of the US consular posts in India, which include New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad. The program was first launched in Mexico and has since been expanded to include all US diplomatic missions in Canada, as well as embassies in Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Honduras. While the State Department has stated that additional locations may be added during the pilot period, there has been no official confirmation about its inclusion of India at this time. Therefore, Indian applicants must continue to use the regular appointment system.
Is the Service Worth It?
For those in participating countries, the $750 question is whether the cost is justified. The program aims to secure an interview within 10 business days, subject to availability. For a business traveler who needs to close a deal, an entrepreneur attending a critical conference, or someone with urgent but non-emergency family matters, the ability to avoid a wait of several months could be invaluable and well worth the premium. However, for a tourist planning a vacation months in advance or a family of four where the cost would multiply to $3,000, the standard waiting period is likely the only feasible option. The key is that this is a fee for scheduling convenience, not a better chance of approval, and applicants must weigh the cost against the true urgency of their travel.
