The US Department of State has expanded its paid expedited visa appointment pilot to more countries. Eligible applicants can pay an additional $750 to schedule a B visa interview within the next 10 business days, subject to appointment availability. The latest expansion took effect on August 18, 2026. The service gives applicants an earlier interview date but does not promise quicker processing or visa approval.

What Is the $750 Expedited Visa Appointment Program?

The Paid Expedite program is an optional pilot available at selected US embassies and consulates. It allows eligible B visa applicants to access a limited number of earlier interview slots. Applicants must pay the additional $750 fee along with the standard $185 MRV application charge.

The program does not replace the standard US visa application process. Applicants must first complete the regular steps, pay the MRV fee and schedule a future interview before they can request a paid expedited appointment.

Who Can Apply for a Paid Expedited Visa Appointment?

The pilot applies to eligible applicants seeking a B-category US visitor visa. This category covers temporary travel for business or tourism. Applicants generally need to meet the following requirements:

• Apply for a B visitor visa
• Pay the regular $185 MRV fee
• Schedule a regular interview appointment
• Have a valid, unexpired MRV fee receipt
• Qualify for the Paid Expedite option
• Apply through a participating US embassy or consulate
• Find an available expedited appointment

The Paid Expedite option will appear in the scheduling system only when the applicant qualifies and a slot is available. Applicants who qualify for a visa interview waiver cannot pay the fee to speed up their application processing. Only applicants who have already booked a regular visa interview can use this option.

Which Countries Offer the $750 Visa Appointment Service?

As of August 18, 2026, the following US embassies and consulates participate in the expedited visa appointment pilot:

• Canada: US Embassy and all US consulates
• Colombia: US Embassy in Bogotá
• Guatemala: US Embassy in Guatemala City
• Costa Rica: US Embassy in San José
• Honduras: US Embassy in Tegucigalpa
• Mexico: US Embassy and all US consulates

Canada, Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Honduras joined the pilot on August 18, 2026. Mexico launched the service on July 21, 2026. The State Department may add more locations during the pilot period.

Does the $750 Fee Guarantee an Earlier Appointment?

The program provides access to limited expedited interview slots. Participating US embassies and consulates will release only a limited number of appointments each day. Applicants can pay the fee only after selecting an available date and time. They must complete the payment within 10 minutes to secure that appointment. Availability may vary by country, consular post and date. Therefore, applicants should not assume that a paid appointment will always be available.

Is the $750 Fee Charged Per Applicant?

Yes. Each applicant must pay the $750 expedited appointment fee. This requirement also applies to every family or group member seeking an earlier interview. Applicants can separate a group if only certain members want to use the Paid Expedite service. For example, a family of four would need to pay the additional fee for each member using the expedited service. The regular MRV application fee also remains separate.

Can Applicants Reschedule a Paid Expedited Appointment?

No. Applicants cannot reschedule a Paid Expedite appointment after booking it. They will lose the $750 fee if they:

• Miss the interview
• Cancel the appointment

The expedited fee cannot be refunded or transferred to another applicant. Applicants should select a date and time they can attend before making the payment. If an applicant wants another Paid Expedite appointment after missing the first one, the person must pay a new $750 fee.

Does Paying $750 Guarantee US Visa Approval?

Paying the additional fee does not guarantee visa approval. It only allows an eligible applicant to schedule an earlier interview. Every applicant must still complete the same security screening, background checks and eligibility review. A consular officer will decide whether the applicant qualifies for a US visa under existing immigration laws. The service does not:

• Improve the chances of approval
• Reduce eligibility requirements
• Speed up administrative processing
• Guarantee visa issuance
• Provide a refund after a visa refusal

Additional document requests or administrative processing may delay the visa decision even after the applicant attends an expedited interview.

Can Applicants With a Denied Emergency Request Use the Service?

Applicants denied a regular emergency appointment may still choose the Paid Expedite option if they meet the requirements. However, they must meet the program requirements and find an available appointment at a participating US consular post. A denied emergency request does not automatically qualify someone for the paid service.

Is the $750 Expedited Visa Appointment Available in India?

No. US embassies and consulates in India do not currently participate in the pilot. Applicants scheduling B visa interviews at US consular posts in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad or Kolkata cannot currently select the $750 Paid Expedite option.

However, this restriction applies to appointments scheduled at US consular posts in India. The announcement does not state that every Indian national is automatically ineligible. Eligibility depends on the participating location, the applicant’s circumstances and the rules shown in the official scheduling system.

The State Department may add more consular posts during the pilot. Applicants should follow official US visa updates instead of relying on unofficial agents or social media claims.

How Long Will the Paid Expedite Pilot Continue?

The US Department of State plans to run the expedited nonimmigrant visa appointment pilot through December 31, 2026. The department may announce additional locations before the pilot ends. Appointment availability may vary among participating embassies and consulates.

The new US visa appointment pilot gives eligible B visa applicants at selected locations another way to secure an earlier interview. Before choosing the service, applicants should review the eligibility rules, payment conditions and selected appointment date. They should also verify the latest information on the official US Department of State website.

Travelers who receive their visas and plan a return journey can explore Indian Eagle flights from the USA to India to find affordable fares.

The post US Expands $750 Fast-Track Visa Interviews: Is It Available in India? appeared first on Travel Blog | Travel Inspiration, Tips and News | Travel Diary.