B1/B2 Visa Premium Processing Fee: What the New $750 Expedited Interview Pilot Means for U.S. Visa Applicants
- Contact ILS
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
On June 9, 2026, the U.S. Department of State published an interim final rule introducing a new pilot program that many applicants may understand as a B1/B2 visa premium processing fee. Beginning July 1, 2026, certain B1/B2 business and tourist visa applicants may be able to pay an additional $750 expedited interview fee to request a visa interview appointment within 10 business days at select U.S. embassies and consulates.
Although the phrase “B1/B2 premium processing visa fee” may be used by applicants searching for this new service, the program is more accurately described as a paid expedited interview appointment option. It does not create premium processing for B1/B2 visa adjudication, does not guarantee visa approval, and does not speed up administrative processing after the interview.
What Is the B1/B2 Visa Premium Processing Fee?
The new service applies to certain B1/B2 visa applicants seeking temporary entry to the United States for business or tourism. Under the pilot program, eligible applicants may pay an additional $750 expedited B1/B2 visa interview fee to request an interview appointment within 10 business days.
The service will only be available at designated U.S. embassies and consulates. The U.S. Department of State will publish the list of participating posts through travel.state.gov.
Limited availability. The B1/B2 expedited interview option will only be offered at select consular posts and may be subject to appointment capacity.
Pilot period. The program is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2026, and run through December 31, 2026.
Additional cost. The B1/B2 visa premium processing fee is $750. This fee is separate from the regular B1/B2 visa application fee, which remains $185.
Appointment process. Applicants will generally still need to complete the DS-160 form, pay the regular visa application fee, and check the appointment system to see whether the expedited interview option is available at the relevant consular post.
Most importantly, the $750 fee only applies to the interview appointment. It does not guarantee visa issuance, lower the legal standard for approval, or accelerate administrative processing, background checks, document review, or passport return. If a case is placed into further administrative review, the overall visa timeline may still be delayed even if the applicant paid the expedited interview fee.
Is This True Premium Processing for a B1/B2 Visa?
No. The new program is not the same as USCIS premium processing.
In immigration practice, “premium processing” usually refers to a USCIS service that allows certain petitioners to pay an additional fee for faster petition processing. The new State Department program is different. It does not speed up a final visa decision. Instead, it only allows eligible applicants to request an earlier interview appointment.
For that reason, applicants should understand the B1/B2 premium processing visa fee as a search-friendly phrase, not a precise legal description. The more accurate term is a $750 expedited interview fee for B1/B2 visa applicants.
Why Is the State Department Introducing This $750 Expedited Interview Fee?
The new pilot program appears to reflect several practical concerns.
The State Department continues to face appointment backlogs at certain consular posts. Although the global median wait time for nonimmigrant visa interviews is approximately 30 days, some U.S. embassies and consulates have reported B1/B2 interview wait times exceeding 12 months. For travelers with time-sensitive business, conference, medical, family, or tourism plans, long wait times can significantly disrupt travel planning.
The pilot program may help the government test visa appointment capacity ahead of major international events. The final rule specifically references expected increases in temporary travel demand related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The program may signal a broader shift toward fee-based service options within the visa appointment system. The State Department states that the $750 fee is designed based on cost recovery principles and reflects the estimated cost of providing the expedited service.
However, this does not mean the U.S. visa system has entered a full “pay-for-priority” model. The program remains a temporary and limited pilot. Even applicants who are willing to pay the B1/B2 visa premium processing fee may not be able to use the service if their selected consular post is not participating, if appointment capacity is unavailable, or if the system does not offer the expedited option.
What This Means for B1/B2 Visa Applicants in Mainland China
The State Department has not yet announced which U.S. embassies and consulates will participate in the expedited interview pilot program.
As of June 11, 2026, official U.S. visa appointment wait time data from travel.state.gov shows relatively short B1/B2 interview wait times at major U.S. consular posts in mainland China:
U.S. Embassy / Consulate | B1/B2 Interview Wait Time |
Beijing | Approximately 2 months |
Shanghai | Approximately 2 months |
Guangzhou | Approximately 2 months |
Shenyang | Less than 0.5 months |
Wuhan | Less than 0.5 months |
（Data from travel.state.gov Official Website, June 11, 2026）
Based on current data, B1/B2 appointment backlogs in mainland China appear to be relatively limited compared with higher-backlog locations worldwide. As a result, it remains uncertain whether mainland China posts will be included in the B1/B2 premium processing visa fee pilot in the near term. The final list of participating posts remains subject to further confirmation by the State Department.
Even if certain mainland China posts are later added to the pilot program, applicants should not treat the expedited interview service as a shortcut to visa approval. The service only affects the timing of the interview appointment. It does not change the substantive review of the application.
B1/B2 visas also remain limited to permissible business and tourism activities. They cannot be used for actual employment in the United States and should not be treated as a substitute for work-authorized visa categories such as H-1B, L-1, E-2, or O-1.
Key Takeaway: The B1/B2 Visa Premium Processing Fee Does Not Guarantee Approval
The main point of this new rule is not that applicants can simply pay to get a U.S. visa faster. Rather, the B1/B2 premium processing visa fee reflects a growing service-tiering trend in the U.S. visa appointment system.
Regardless of whether an applicant uses the $750 expedited interview option, careful planning remains essential. Applicants should plan their U.S. travel timeline early and ensure consistency among their travel purpose, visa category, DS-160 responses, invitation letters, supporting documents, and interview statements.
For individuals traveling to the United States for business meetings, conferences, site visits, short-term exchanges, or tourism, the proper scope of B1/B2 use should be carefully observed.
ILS will continue to monitor updates from the U.S. Department of State and will provide further guidance once the list of participating consular posts is released.
If you or your company is planning a B1/B2 business or tourist visa application, cross-border meeting, or U.S. travel arrangement, please contact the ILS Immigration Team at immigrationlaw@consultils.com. Our team can assist with visa strategy, application material review, interview timeline planning, and risk assessment related to unclear travel purposes, appointment delays, or heightened visa scrutiny.
Disclaimer：This article is based on the latest policy information as of June 11, 2026. Given the rapid changes in immigration policies, it is advisable for enterprises to pay close attention to official updates and consult professional immigration lawyers for the latest guidance. Our firm will continue to track policy developments and provide clients with timely and accurate professional services.
As Partner and Head of Immigration at ILS, Anna advises global employers on all aspects of U.S. business immigration. She helps companies recruit and retain executives and highly skilled professionals essential to their U.S. operations, with experience spanning industries from autonomous driving and biotech, to entertainment, logistics, and manufacturing.
Previously, Anna practiced at leading global law firms and served as in-house counsel and compliance manager in the telecommunications, finance, and gaming industries. This diverse background equips her with practical, cross-industry insights that inform strategic, business-focused immigration solutions.
Email: contact@consultils.com | Phone: 626-344-8949
Comments