US State Department introduces $750 premium service for expedited visa interviews
via Algérie3602 min read
The US State Department has launched a new premium service allowing tourists and professionals to pay $750 for an expedited non-immigrant visa interview B1/B2, business, and tourism. This service aims to reduce the current waiting times, which can exceed twelve months in some countries. The $750 fee is in addition to the standard $185 application fee and is non-refundable. This "premium option" will be available at select consular posts and in limited quantities. Applicants must pay the fee within 5 to 10 minutes of selecting a priority slot, or the reservation will be lost. The service does not guarantee visa approval. This six-month pilot program, set to begin on July 1 and end on December 31, is projected to generate $19.3 million annually from approximately 25,700 applications. The initiative comes amid complaints from the US tourism industry regarding excessive visa processing delays, which industry leaders like Geoff Freeman, CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, argue negatively impact the country's attractiveness and competitiveness in international tourism. Since his re-election in 2025, Donald Trump's administration has intensified measures targeting foreign tourists, including 22 new migratory taxes added to the "One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act." One such measure, a $250 visa integrity tax, is currently frozen due to strong opposition from the tourism sector, despite being slated for implementation in 2026.
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