$750 Fast-Track Visa Pilot Expands to Five Additional Embassies

Tourist and business B-visa applicants at six U.S. missions can now pay $750 to move up their interview date. The State Department launched the pilot at Mission Mexico on July 21, 2026, and added five more posts on August 18.

The optional “Paid Expedite” program lets applicants who already have a scheduled interview and an unexpired $185 MRV fee receipt pay an extra $750 for an interview within 10 business days. Each participating post releases only a set number of expedited appointments per day, and the paid option appears in the scheduling system only when one is actually available.

The pilot runs through December 31, 2026, and the State Department says it may announce more locations before then.

Which embassies now offer fast track tourist visa appointments?

Six missions and posts currently offer the Paid Expedite option for B visa applicants. Mission Mexico and Mission Canada each cover the embassy and all consulates in their country, so the pilot reaches well over six physical locations:

• Mission Mexico (Embassy and all consulates): launched July 21, 2026
• Mission Canada (Embassy and all consulates): launched August 18, 2026
• Embassy Bogotá: launched August 18, 2026
• Embassy Guatemala City: launched August 18, 2026
• Embassy San José: launched August 18, 2026
• Embassy Tegucigalpa: launched August 18, 2026

What does this mean for tourist visa applicants?

Manifest immigration attorney Ana Gabriela Urizar says this is an exciting update for tourist visa applicants in eligible locations. “A lot of these embassies have extensive backlogs for tourist visa appointments, so this can help people get their interviews faster,” she says.

However, there are some qualifying rules. To qualify for an expedited appointment, an applicant must:

• Already hold a future regular appointment and an unexpired $185 MRV fee receipt
• Sign in to the scheduling account, click “Continue,” select “Request Expedite,” and choose “Paid Expedite”

This option only displays when the post participates, a slot is open, and the applicant meets every eligibility criterion. The appointment cannot be rescheduled or changed once booked, and the $750 fee is non-refundable, even if an applicant receives a visa refusal.

Urizar notes that applicants who pay for an expedited appointment can also select a premium document delivery option, where available, at no extra cost. “That can make a real difference for those who need to visit the U.S. on a timeline they don’t control,” she says. “My suggestion is to check in with an immigration attorney to see if this option makes sense for your travel plans and purpose.”

FAQs about the expedited visa pilot program

Does paying the $750 fee guarantee a visa?

No. The fee buys an earlier interview and nothing else. Every applicant goes through the same screening and vetting, and a consular officer must still find the applicant eligible under U.S. law before a visa is issued.

Which visa categories qualify for Paid Expedite?

Only B visa applicants, meaning B-1 business and B-2 tourist travel. The State Department limits eligibility to “applicants for B visas,” so the option does not reach F, M, J, H, or L applicants.

Can I pay the fee if I qualify for an interview waiver?

No. Only applicants with a scheduled interview appointment can pay the expedited fee. Renewal applicants processing through interview waiver cannot buy faster adjudication.

Do I need to prove an emergency to use the paid option?

No. The State Department frames Paid Expedite as the route for applicants whose reason for travel does not meet emergency request criteria, and it lists no documentation requirement. Applicants whose free emergency appointment request was already denied can still book a paid slot if they meet the eligibility criteria.

What happens if I miss my Paid Expedite appointment?

The fee is gone. Rescheduling is not permitted, so a missed or cancelled appointment forfeits the $750. If the MRV fee was paid less than a year earlier, the applicant may be able to move into a regular appointment slot at no additional cost, but booking another Paid Expedite slot means paying another $750.

If I’m applying with a group, does everyone have to pay?

Yes, each applicant in a group pays the $750 fee individually. The scheduling system does allow a group to split, so only the members who need the earlier date have to pay.