The U.S. Department of State announced on June 9, 2026, a new pilot program allowing B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visa applicants at certain consular posts to secure an appointment within 10 business days by paying an additional $750 expedite fee. The pilot initiative launches July 1, 2026, and runs through December 31, 2026.
For Indian travelers, this represents the first paid premium appointment service offered by American consulates. Nearly 2.06 million visitors from India travelled to the United States in 2026 alone, with visa appointment delays contributing to a 6% drop from 2026 numbers when 2.19 million Indians visited the US.
The premium scheduling option significantly reduces traditional wait times, though it does not accelerate the actual visa adjudication process, background checks, or approval decisions. While global average wait times for nonimmigrant visa interviews are around 30 days, some U.S. consulates face wait times exceeding 12 months.
How the Premium Service Works
The program allows eligible applicants to obtain an interview appointment within ten business days after paying the expedite fee, subject to availability at selected consular posts. Appointments scheduled early July could occur within the same month, compared to standard waits of six to eighteen months at many locations.
The fee would be optional and added on top of the standard visa application fee, which is currently $185. For Indian applicants, this comes during a year when visa costs have already increased substantially due to the new Visa Integrity Fee.
Available slots remain limited and subject to consulate capacity, with high-demand locations expected to exhaust monthly allocations quickly. The list of participating embassies and consulates will be published on travel.state.gov.
Cost Impact for Indian Applicants
The $750 premium fee converts to approximately ₹73,500 using the current consular exchange rate. As of May 25, 2026, the Consular Exchange Rate changed from 96 Indian rupees to 98 rupees per dollar.
Combined with existing 2026 visa costs, Indian applicants choosing the premium service face total fees of approximately ₹1,16,000 per person:
- Standard B1/B2 visa fee: $185 (₹18,130)
- Visa Integrity Fee: $250 (₹24,500)
- Premium appointment fee: $750 (₹73,500)
- Total: $1,185 (₹1,16,130)
Starting January 1, 2026, most Indian applicants already pay around $435 (₹36,000-₹40,000) due to the mandatory Visa Integrity Fee, bringing total costs 2.5 times higher than previous years.
Eligibility and Limitations
The expedited appointment only affects interview scheduling, with applicants still needing to meet all visa eligibility requirements and complete the standard screening and vetting process. The expedite fee guarantees only faster appointment scheduling, not faster approvals, with visa rejection remaining possible regardless of expedite payment.
Applicants must first book a standard appointment before opting to upgrade to an expedited slot, if available. Failure to attend or complete payment will result in loss of the expedited appointment and fee.
Applicants facing humanitarian emergencies or other urgent circumstances can still request expedited appointments through existing no-fee channels, with the new paid option operating separately from those programs.
Strategic Context
The State Department noted that "in the wake of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, the Department has determined that now is the time to test the demand for provision of a new fee-based expedited interview appointment service".
The State Department expects 25,705 applicants each year to purchase the expedited service, with an expected annual revenue of $19,278,750.
What SaathiVisa Recommends
We recommend Indian travelers consider this premium service only if their travel is genuinely time-sensitive and they can afford the substantial cost increase. The ₹73,500 premium fee makes sense for emergency business travel or family situations, but not for routine tourism.
Apply by mid-July 2026 if considering the premium service. This pilot program ends December 31, 2026, with monthly slots expected to fill rapidly at popular consulates.
For most applicants, we still recommend:
- Planning visa applications 9-12 months ahead
- Monitoring regular appointment slots, which often open due to cancellations
- Considering alternative consulate locations with shorter wait times
- Preparing all documentation thoroughly to avoid delays
The program is temporary and may or may not be extended beyond December 31, 2026, with the State Department evaluating demand and operational impact before deciding whether to maintain, modify or discontinue the service.
Current Wait Times for Indian Applicants
Regular B1/B2 visa appointment wait times across US consulates in India vary significantly:
- Hyderabad: 4.5 months
- Chennai: 5 months
- Kolkata: 5.5 months
- New Delhi: 6.5 months
- Mumbai: 11 months
The US Embassy India notes that expedited appointment slots are very limited, and due to high volume of requests, they cannot accommodate all travelers prior to their planned travel dates, even if the purpose of travel is time sensitive.
FAQ
Q: Does the $750 fee guarantee visa approval?
No. The expedite fee covers only faster appointment scheduling. Your visa approval depends on meeting eligibility requirements, passing background checks, and satisfying consulate adjudication standards.
Q: Will this service be available at US consulates in India?
The State Department has not yet published the list of participating consulates, but given India's importance as a visa-processing market, we expect major Indian consulates to participate.
Q: Can I get a refund if my premium appointment is denied?
No. Like all US visa fees, the $750 premium fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome.