What is the New Paid Appointment Option?
The U.S. Department of State has launched a pilot program that allows some applicants for B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visas to pay an additional fee for an expedited interview appointment. This service, running until December 31, 2026, is designed
to test the demand for a premium scheduling option. It promises an interview within 10 business days, subject to the availability of a limited number of slots released daily at participating locations. However, there is a significant catch for applicants in India: currently, no U.S. embassy or consulate in India is part of this pilot program. The participating posts are, as of now, located in countries like Mexico, Canada, and several nations in Central and South America.
The Cost of Cutting the Queue
This convenience comes at a steep price. The fee for the expedited appointment is $750 per person. This is a separate charge, paid on top of the standard non-refundable visa application fee (known as the MRV fee), which is currently $185 for B-category visas. This brings the total cost for someone using this service to $935. The $750 fee is also non-refundable and non-transferable. If an applicant misses or cancels their secured expedited appointment, they forfeit the entire amount. For a family or group, each member wishing to use the fast-track option must pay the $750 fee individually.
How the Process Works
An applicant cannot simply pay the fee to get an appointment. They must first follow the standard procedure: complete the DS-160 application form, pay the regular $185 MRV fee, and schedule a normal interview appointment. Only after a regular appointment is on the books can an applicant at a participating post see if any “Paid Expedite” slots are available. If a slot is visible, the applicant can select it, but they must complete the $750 payment within a very short window—typically 10 minutes—to secure it. This option is designed as a tool for those with urgent travel needs who do not qualify for a traditional, free emergency appointment, which is reserved for situations like medical emergencies or funerals.
The Most Important Rule: Approval is Not for Sale
The U.S. State Department has been exceptionally clear on one point: paying the extra fee does not, in any way, increase an applicant's chances of getting the visa. The program only provides access to an earlier interview slot; it is not a “fast-track visa approval” system. Applicants who use this service are subject to the exact same security screening, vetting, and eligibility criteria as every other applicant. The decision to grant or deny the visa rests solely with the consular officer conducting the interview, based on whether the applicant proves they qualify under U.S. law. The fee does not guarantee visa issuance or speed up any administrative processing that might be required after the interview.
What This Means for Indian Applicants Today
Since U.S. consular posts in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata are not currently part of the pilot, Indian applicants cannot use this $750 option. They must continue to use the standard process of booking appointments, which can involve long waits. The existing free-of-cost emergency appointment request remains an option for those with genuine, documentable emergencies. While the State Department has mentioned that additional locations could be added during the pilot phase, there is no official timeline or confirmation that India will be included. For now, the introduction of this paid tier system elsewhere highlights the global demand for U.S. visas and the challenges posed by appointment backlogs.
