The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has expanded its pilot program allowing certain B visa applicants to pay an additional fee for access to an earlier visa interview. Effective August 18, 2026, the program is now available through Mission Canada, including the U.S. Embassy and all U.S. consulates in Canada, as well as the U.S. Embassies in Bogotá, Guatemala City, San José, and Tegucigalpa. The pilot initially launched at Mission Mexico on July 21, 2026, and is scheduled to continue through December 31, 2026. DOS may add additional locations during the pilot period.
Under the program, eligible applicants seeking B visitor visas for business or tourism may pay a $750 expedited appointment fee per applicant to schedule an interview within the next 10 business days, subject to appointment availability. This fee is separate from the standard $185 nonimmigrant visa application, or MRV, fee. Applicants must first complete the regular visa application process, pay the MRV fee, and schedule a future interview appointment before the paid expedite option can become available.
Participating consular posts will make only a limited number of expedited appointments available each day. When eligible slots are available, applicants may see a “Paid Expedite” option in the scheduling system. After selecting an expedited appointment date and time, the applicant must complete payment of the $750 fee within 10 minutes to secure the appointment.
Implications for B Visa Applicants
The pilot provides an additional option for applicants who need an earlier B visa interview but do not qualify for, or have been denied, a traditional emergency appointment request. However, the expedited fee only provides access to an earlier interview. It does not accelerate adjudication after the interview and does not increase the likelihood that a visa will be approved. Applicants using the program remain subject to the same eligibility requirements, security screening, and consular review as all other B visa applicants.
Several restrictions are particularly important. The $750 fee is nonrefundable and nontransferable, and paid expedited appointments cannot be rescheduled. Applicants who miss or cancel the appointment will forfeit the expedited fee. For families or groups, each applicant seeking an expedited appointment must pay the $750 fee separately, although the scheduling system may permit only certain members of a group to use the expedited option.
The program is also unavailable to applicants proceeding through the interview waiver process. Only applicants with a scheduled interview appointment may access the paid expedite option.
Next Steps
Applicants considering the paid expedited appointment option should confirm that they can attend the selected interview before submitting payment, since changes are not permitted once the appointment is secured. They should also understand that an earlier interview does not guarantee visa issuance or faster post-interview processing.
INLG will continue monitoring the pilot program, including the addition of participating consular posts and any changes to eligibility or scheduling procedures, and can advise clients on B visa appointment strategy based on their travel needs and individual circumstances.