The United States has extended a pilot scheme allowing certain B-1/B-2 visa applicants to pay for faster interview slots in select locations, but Indian applicants are still awaiting inclusion amid ongoing delays and uncertainties.
The United States has expanded a pilot scheme that lets some B-1/B-2 visa applicants pay an extra $750 for a faster interview appointment, but Indian travellers are not yet included, according to Business Today and other reports on the programme. The initiative, which began on 1 July 2026 and is due to run until 31 December 2026, is intended to ease long waiting times at selected posts, with the total upfront cost rising to $935 once the standard $185 visa fee is added.
Under the process described by the State Department and immigration specialists, applicants must first file the regular application, pay the MRV fee and secure a standard appointment. Only then can they check whether an expedited slot is available at a participating post. If one is found, the applicant has 10 minutes to complete the $750 payment, which is non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled. The fee buys an earlier interview, not a visa decision, and does not shortcut screening or background checks.
The pilot now covers Mission Canada, including the embassy and all consulates, as well as U.S. posts in Bogota, Guatemala City, San Jose and Tegucigalpa, plus Mission Mexico, which includes the embassy and all consulates across Mexico. Reports say the State Department may add more locations before the scheme ends, depending on demand and operational capacity.
For Indian applicants, however, the answer remains no for now. The five U.S. consular posts in India , Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Kolkata , are not part of the fast-track pilot, so B-1 and B-2 applicants there must continue using the standard appointment system. Whether Indian posts will be brought into the programme before the pilot closes has not been confirmed.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://www.businesstoday.in/nri/visa/story/pay-750-and-get-a-us-visa-b-1b-2-visa-fast-track-pilot-expands-to-six-new-locations-is-india-included-550253-2026-08-20?utm_source=rssfeed – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.thevisapulse.com/updates/state-dept-b1b2-expedited-visa-appointment-fee-2026 – The U.S. State Department has introduced a $750 expedited appointment fee for B-1/B-2 visa applicants, effective July 1, 2026. This pilot program, running through December 31, 2026, allows applicants at select embassies and consulates to secure an interview within 10 business days. The total cost, including the standard $185 application fee, is $935. The program is voluntary and subject to availability at participating posts.
- https://www.visaverge.com/interviewexperiences/trump-administration-launches-750-expedited-visa-pilot-for-b-1b-2-visitors/ – The U.S. State Department has launched a $750 optional expedited-visa pilot for B-1/B-2 visa applicants, effective July 1, 2026. This program offers interview appointments within 10 days at participating embassies and consulates, bringing the total fee to $935. The pilot aims to address long wait times and is available at select locations, with the possibility of expansion during the pilot period.
- https://www.stampednomad.com/updates/united-states-introduces-750-fee-for-10-day-b-1b-2-visa-interview-pilot – The U.S. State Department has introduced a $750 fee for expedited B-1/B-2 visa interview appointments, effective July 1, 2026. This pilot program, running through December 31, 2026, allows applicants at select consulates to secure an interview within 10 business days. The total cost, including the standard $185 application fee, is $935. The program is voluntary and subject to availability at participating posts.
- https://www.crbcnews.com/articles/6a2aca16064677ed9aa9c92e – The U.S. State Department is testing a temporary pilot that lets some B-1/B-2 visa applicants pay a $750 fee to access earlier interview appointments at selected embassies and consulates from July 1 to December 31, 2026. Applicants must first submit the DS-160 and pay the standard $185 application fee; the combined upfront cost for a paid fast-track interview is $935. Expedited slots are limited, held only briefly while payment is processed, non-refundable, and do not guarantee approval or speed up background checks.
- https://www.visahq.news/2026-06-13/us/state-department-unveils-750-fast-track-pilot-for-b-1b-2-visa-interviews/ – The U.S. Department of State will pilot a fee-based ‘expedited interview scheduling’ service for B-1 business and B-2 tourist visa applicants beginning July 1, 2026. Under the program—detailed in a Federal Register notice and summarized by immigration firm NPZ Law Group—applicants at select consulates may pay an additional $750 to secure an interview slot within 10 business days, subject to local capacity. The pilot is slated to run through December 31, 2026, after which the department will assess demand, cost recovery, and fraud-prevention metrics.
- https://www.visaverge.com/visa/us-tourist-visa-wait-times-exceed-one-year-at-key-consulates-fast-track-program-and-expedited-nonimmigrant-visa-sought/ – The U.S. State Department has launched a $750 expedited visa fee pilot to address backlogs exceeding 14 months as international arrivals drop ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The program, effective July 1, 2026, allows B-1/B-2 applicants at select high-volume consulates to secure an interview within 10 business days. The total application costs for fast-tracked visas now reach $935, including standard processing and surcharges.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score: 8
Notes: The article reports on the expansion of the U.S. Department of State’s expedited B-1/B-2 visa interview pilot program to six new locations, with a publication date of August 20, 2026. This aligns with the program’s official announcement on July 22, 2026, and its commencement on July 1, 2026. (travel.state.gov) The content appears original and timely, with no evidence of recycling from low-quality sites or clickbait networks. (apnews.com)
Quotes check
Score: 7
Notes: The article includes direct quotes from the U.S. Department of State’s official announcement. (travel.state.gov) These quotes are consistent with the original source, indicating accurate reporting. However, the article does not provide direct links to the original statements, which would enhance transparency and verifiability.
Source reliability
Score: 8
Notes: Business Today is a reputable news outlet in India, known for its coverage of business and international affairs. The article cites multiple sources, including the U.S. Department of State’s official announcement and other reputable news outlets. (apnews.com) While the article is well-sourced, the lack of direct links to primary sources slightly diminishes its reliability.
Plausibility check
Score: 9
Notes: The article’s claims about the expansion of the U.S. expedited visa interview pilot program are consistent with official announcements and other reputable news sources. (travel.state.gov) The details provided, such as the program’s duration (July 1 to December 31, 2026) and the participating locations, align with the official information. (travel.state.gov) The exclusion of India from the current list of participating locations is also corroborated by other sources.