US offers $750 expedited tourist visa appointments: Is India included?

The US has launched a $750 paid option for faster B-1/B-2 visa interviews at select posts. Here’s how it works, what the fee covers and why India matters.

2 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Aug 20, 2026 02:48 PM IST

The US government added that additional pilot locations may be added on the State Department website throughout the pilot period. (AI-generated image)

The US State Department has expanded a pilot programme that allows some B-1 and B-2 visa applicants to pay an additional $750 for access to earlier interview appointments at participating US embassies and consulates. India is not among the locations currently included in the pilot.

In an update on the US State Department website, the government stated that under the pilot programme, applicants for B visas must follow the traditional process to pay the $185 MRV fee and schedule an interview appointment. Thereafter, pilot posts will allocate a limited number of appointments daily for the expedited appointment programme.

The applicants will be able to see if the expedited appointments, which are optional, are available and can schedule them after selecting an expedited appointment date and time. Thereafter, the applicant must pay the $750 fee within 10 minutes to secure the appointment. The department adds that the expedited appointment fee is non-refundable.

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Who can use the $750 expedited service?

The pilot programme, which is currently underway till December 31, 2026, applies to applicants seeking B-1 and B-2 visa for tourist or business travel. The programme, however, allows an applicant to receive an earlier appointment only and doesn’t guarantee a visa automatically.

Among the Embassies and Consulates that are participating in the pilot programme are:

Mission Canada (Embassy and all consulates)
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Guatemala City
Embassy San Jose
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Mission Mexico (Embassy and all consulates)

The government added that additional pilot locations may be added on the State Department website throughout the pilot period; however, the availability of expedited appointments may be limited.

Is India included in the pilot programme?

No. India is not among the US diplomatic posts currently participating in the pilot. This means applicants applying through the US consular posts in Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Kolkata cannot currently use the $750 expedited appointment option.

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Indian applicants must therefore continue to use the regular B-1/B-2 visa appointment process unless the State Department adds Indian posts to the pilot later.

Nischai Vats

Nischai Vats is a Deputy Copy Editor at The Indian Express. His work primarily covers US politics and visa and immigration policy, alongside broader international developments, with an emphasis on accuracy, verification, and clear explainers. Experience Nischai joined The Indian Express in May 2024 where he works on writing, editing, and refining high-impact stories for digital platforms. His role involves ensuring editorial consistency, factual accuracy, and clarity in coverage of complex policy-driven subjects. Earlier in his career, he worked across Indian digital newsrooms in reporting and editing roles, including stints at Inshorts, Newslaundry, Tiranga TV, and Catch News. His newsroom experience spans rapid digital publishing, ground reporting, and copy editing across national, civic, and policy beats. Expertise His core areas of focus include: US politics and governance: Coverage of American political developments, executive actions, and policy shifts. US visa and immigration policy: Reporting and editing stories on visa categories, regulatory changes, and immigration pathways affecting global audiences. Editorial accuracy and copy editing: Ensuring clarity, language precision, and verification in fast-paced digital news environments. Authoritativeness and trustworthiness Nischai's journalism is grounded in verified sources, official documentation, and clear attribution, in line with The Indian Express’ editorial standards. His background across reporting and editing enables him to translate complex policy updates into reliable, reader-friendly coverage. ... Read More

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