U.S. B1/B2 Visa $750 Expedited Interview Pilot: What Travellers Need to Know

The U.S. Department of State has published a temporary final rule creating a $750 expedited interview appointment fee for certain B1/B2 visitor visa applicants. The pilot is scheduled to run from July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026, and it is designed to test whether applicants will pay for faster interview scheduling at selected U.S. embassies and consulates.

For people in Canada, the rule matters most to Canadian permanent residents, work permit holders, study permit holders, visitors in Canada, and other foreign nationals who need a U.S. visitor visa for business, tourism, family visits, conferences, medical travel, or major events. Canadian citizens generally do not need a B1/B2 visa for ordinary visitor or temporary business travel, but many people living in Canada still have to use the U.S. visa process.

What changed

The new rule adds a temporary Nonimmigrant Visa Appointment Expedite Fee of US$750 per person. According to the Federal Register notice, the fee allows eligible B1/B2 applicants at selected posts to seek an interview appointment within ten business days, subject to appointment availability.

This is not a general fast-track visa approval system. It is a paid option for faster interview scheduling only.

The pilot is limited in several important ways:

• It applies to B1/B2 business and tourism visitor visa applicants.
• It will be offered only at selected posts listed through U.S. State Department channels.
• It will be available in limited quantities, based on each post's capacity.
• The regular nonimmigrant visa application process still applies.
• The standard MRV application fee remains separate. The State Department's visa fee page currently lists the visitor visa fee at US$185.

What the $750 fee does not do

This is the point travellers need to understand before spending money. The expedite fee does not guarantee a visa. It does not change the legal test for a visitor visa. It does not remove the consular officer's discretion. It does not bypass security screening or administrative processing.

The State Department says applicants who use the paid expedited appointment are still subject to normal eligibility rules, normal vetting, and any administrative processing that may be required. In plain language: you may get to the interview faster, but you still have to qualify.

The Department also states that if an applicant selects an expedited appointment and then does not attend or cancels it, the expedited appointment fee is forfeited. Before paying, applicants should read the appointment system instructions carefully and make sure they can attend the selected date.

Who may benefit from the pilot

This pilot may help people who have a real reason to travel soon and cannot wait months for an interview, including Canadian permanent residents or temporary residents attending a U.S. business meeting, conference, tournament, family event, or medical appointment.

It may not be worth it where travel is flexible, the file is not ready, or the case may require administrative processing regardless of the interview date.

Practical planning tips

Before choosing the paid option, confirm three things.

First, check whether the post where you are applying actually offers the pilot. The Federal Register rule says participating posts will be published on travel.state.gov or through State Department instructions. If the option is not shown in the appointment system, it may not be available.

Second, compare the paid slot against the regular wait time. The State Department warns that visa appointment wait times are estimates and can vary by location, staffing, workload, season, and visa category. If a regular appointment is already close, paying US$750 may not make sense.

Third, prepare the actual B1/B2 case, not just the appointment. The State Department visitor visa page explains that B1/B2 applicants must show the purpose of the trip, intent to leave the United States after the visit, and ability to pay travel costs. A faster interview is only useful if the application is ready.

Why this matters for JSR clients

Many JSR Immigration & Legals clients live in Canada but still need U.S. visitor visas because they are not Canadian citizens. A refusal, missed appointment, weak DS-160, inconsistent travel history, or unclear purpose of travel can cause problems even where the travel reason is genuine.

For cross-border family visits, conferences, business travel, notarial invitation letters, and travel planning connected to Canadian immigration status, the practical issue is not just speed. It is whether the file is complete, consistent, and ready for a consular interview.

If you need help preparing for a U.S. visitor visa interview, reviewing your travel purpose, or organizing supporting documents, contact JSR Immigration & Legals through our contact page.

This post is general information only and reflects publicly available information as of June 11, 2026. It is not legal advice. U.S. visa rules, fees, participating posts, and appointment availability can change, so confirm current instructions before paying any fee or making final travel plans.