Indians applying for US tourist and business visas could soon pay an additional $750 (around Rs 64,000) to secure faster visa appointments under a proposed “premium” service being piloted by the US State Department.
Cost structure and appointment scheduling
The State Department may introduce the service for international visitors, allowing business and tourist visa applicants to fast-track their interviews for an additional $750 on top of the standard $185 fee.
The State Department is planning to initiate a pilot program that will allow applicants to register for the visa and schedule an appointment for an interview at select embassies within 10 days.
According to an AP report citing internal documents and a State Department official, the pilot program is set to begin from July 1 to December 31. The move by President Donald Trump’s administration is being viewed as an attempt to relax some rigid conditions to enter the United States.
India is among the countries where applicants often face long wait times for B1/B2 visa interviews, making the pilot particularly relevant for Indian travellers.
Background on stringent migration policies
Almost every form of migration for foreigners has faced a massive crackdown by the Trump administration, including demands for bonds of up to $15,000 to be paid for the processing of visa applications and social media accounts, which will also be vetted by the authorities before granting visas.
Reports have suggested that new requirements by the Trump administration have caused delays in the processing of visas around the globe, with the complaint ratio rising.
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Interview backlogs and no approval guarantees
For countries that are not part of the Visa Waiver Program, the wait time for scheduling visa interviews could be several months, if not less.
However, the department has clarified that opting for the “optional premium add-on service” for an expedited service will not guarantee that a visa will be issued to the applicant.
Rollout details and potential extensions
However, before the pilot program takes effect on July 1, the embassies and consulates where the expedited services for foreigners seeking tourist or business visas will be announced.
The pilot program could even be extended beyond December 2026, depending on the demand, AP reported.
