The U.S. State Department is preparing to launch a “premium” expedited visa interview service at select overseas embassies. Reported details indicate the program will allow some applicants for U.S. business or tourist visas to obtain an interview appointment within about 10 days, rather than waiting through standard scheduling. According to internal documents reviewed by The Associated Press and cited by multiple outlets, the expedited service will cost $750 in addition to existing visa processing fees, which are described as $185 for the initial application fee.
The service is expected to be announced through official rulemaking, with one report noting a Federal Register notice. Coverage characterizes the plan as a pilot program limited to particular embassies, rather than a universal change to visa processing. Some reporting also frames the initiative as a response to broader conditions affecting visa access, though other sources focus primarily on the pricing and appointment timelines.
Overall, the reports agree on the core elements: an expedited interview option, a $750 additional fee, an approximately 10-day scheduling goal, and availability at selected embassies.
