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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

US introduces $750 to fast-track visa interviews for applicants

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • The U.S. Department of State is piloting a premium service allowing B1/B2 visa applicants to pay $750 for expedited interview appointments within 10 business days.
  • This optional service, running from July to December 2026 at select embassies, aims to address growing demand and long waiting periods.
  • The fee does not guarantee visa issuance, and applicants must still meet all standard eligibility requirements, including security vetting and interviews.

The United States Department of State has introduced a new "premium" expedited service for B1/B2 visa applicants, offering interview appointments within 10 business days for an additional $750 fee. This pilot program, detailed in a Federal Register notice, will run from July 1 to December 31, 2026, and will be available only at select U.S. embassies and consulates.

This temporary final rule is designed to collect information from select countries about the demand for a fee-based process to expedite a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment.

— U.S. Department of StateExplaining the purpose of the pilot program.

The new service is designed as an optional add-on for travelers facing significant wait times for visa interviews. The State Department noted that in some locations, such as Abuja, Nigeria, the average wait time for a B1/B2 visa interview currently exceeds 11.5 months, making urgent or last-minute travel difficult. This initiative aims to improve efficiency within visa scheduling systems and gather information on demand for such expedited processes.

An expedited visa appointment in no way guarantees visa issuance.

— U.S. Department of StateClarifying that the expedited fee does not ensure visa approval.

U.S. officials highlighted that the payment of the $750 expedite fee does not guarantee visa approval. Applicants must still fulfill all standard eligibility requirements, including passing security vetting and attending consular interviews. The program is also seen as a response to anticipated increases in travel demand, partly due to global events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games.

At certain posts wait times exceed 12 months, making it difficult for some applicants to apply for visas for urgent or last-minute travel.

— U.S. Department of StateJustifying the need for expedited services due to long wait times.

Under the pilot, applicants must first complete the standard visa application and schedule a regular appointment. They can then opt for an earlier slot by indicating their wish to expedite, at which point they will see available expedited appointments within the next ten business days. The service will be offered at limited overseas posts and will require applicants to pay the standard $185 visa fee in addition to the new $750 charge. The U.S. government described the initiative as a cost-recovery pilot program.

This service will be offered as an optional premium addition to the standard NIV application fee.

— U.S. Department of StateDescribing the nature of the expedited service.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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