State Department to Introduce Premium Expedited Visa Interviews for $750

<p>The State Department will begin offering a premium expedited service for foreign business and tourist visa applicants, allowing them to secure interview appointments within 10 days at select U.S. embassies and consulates for an additional fee of $750. This pilot program will be announced in the Federal Register and will run from July 1 to December 31, with the possibility of extension based on demand, as reported by The Associated Press.</p><p>Applicants will need to pay the $750 fee in addition to the standard $185 visa application fee to schedule an interview at participating embassies and consulates. The specific locations for this program are expected to be announced before July 1.</p><p>The new expedited service aims to reduce visa interview wait times, which have been affected by recent changes to visa screening and compliance rules implemented by the Trump administration. These changes include requiring bonds of up to $15,000 for visa processing in certain countries with high overstay rates and the disclosure of extensive personal history information, including social media accounts.</p><p>While the expedited service may decrease wait times for visa interviews, it does not guarantee that a visa will be granted. Applicants from countries not included in the Visa Waiver Program may currently face wait times of several months for interviews.</p><p><i>The Associated Press contributed to this report.</i></p>