Understanding the New Premium Appointment Programme
The U.S. Department of State has launched a temporary pilot programme that allows certain visitor visa applicants to pay an additional $750 fee for an expedited interview appointment. This initiative, running from July 1 to December 31, 2026, is designed
to test the demand for a premium scheduling service. It applies specifically to B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism) visa categories. Eligible applicants who opt-in can schedule a visa interview within 10 business days, subject to availability. It is important to note that this fee is in addition to the standard $185 visa application (MRV) fee, bringing the total for an expedited appointment to $935.
The Crucial Question: Is India Included?
As of now, India is not included in this pilot programme. This means that applicants applying through the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi or the consulates in Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata cannot use the $750 paid expedite option. While the State Department has indicated that additional locations may be added during the pilot period, there has been no official confirmation about India's inclusion. The initial rollout has focused on posts in Mexico, followed by expansions to Canada and several embassies in Latin America.
What the $750 Fee Actually Buys
It is critical to understand that paying the premium fee only secures an earlier interview slot; it does not guarantee visa approval or faster processing after the interview. All applicants, whether they use the standard or expedited appointment service, are subject to the same eligibility requirements, security screening, and vetting procedures. If an application requires further administrative processing after the interview, the $750 fee will not speed up that part of the process. The State Department has been clear that this is a service for faster scheduling, not a fast-track to visa issuance.
Why Was a Paid Programme Introduced?
The introduction of a paid expedited option comes in response to the massive backlogs for visa interviews that have plagued many U.S. consulates since the pandemic, particularly in high-volume countries like India. Wait times have often stretched for many months, causing significant disruption for business travellers and tourists. This pilot programme aims to provide a transparent, fee-based mechanism for applicants with urgent travel needs who may not qualify for a traditional, no-fee emergency appointment. It also allows the State Department to gauge the demand for such a service, potentially informing future visa policy.
Existing Options for Expedited Appointments in India
While the new paid option is unavailable, Indian applicants can still request an expedited appointment through the existing, no-fee process. These requests are granted on a case-by-case basis for genuine emergencies. According to the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India website, valid reasons include the need for urgent medical treatment, a family emergency such as a death or serious illness of an immediate family member, urgent business travel, or for students whose programme starts soon. Applicants must first schedule a regular appointment and then submit an expedite request online with supporting documentation. Approval is not guaranteed and depends entirely on consular discretion.
