US introduces $750 premium visa interview service amid growing restrictions

The United States Department of State has unveiled a new premium visa interview service that will allow applicants seeking B1/B2 visitor visas to secure interview appointments within 10 business days for an additional fee of $750.

According to a notice published in the Federal Register on June 9, the expedited service will be available as an optional add-on for visa applicants at selected US embassies and consulates worldwide.

The pilot programme is scheduled to run from July 1 to December 31, 2026, with the possibility of an extension depending on its performance and demand.

The initiative comes amid growing concerns over prolonged visa processing times and a series of immigration restrictions introduced under the administration of President Donald Trump as part of efforts to curb migration into the United States.

Under the new arrangement, applicants willing to pay the premium fee will be eligible for interview appointments within 10 business days, significantly reducing waiting periods that have become a major challenge in many countries.

The premium service is separate from the standard B1/B2 visa application fee of $185, meaning applicants opting for the fast-track route will pay a total of $935.

However, the State Department clarified that payment of the additional fee only guarantees faster access to an interview appointment and does not increase an applicant’s chances of obtaining a visa.

Officials stressed that all applicants would still be required to meet existing eligibility requirements and undergo the standard visa adjudication process.

Current estimates indicate that the average waiting time for a B1/B2 visa interview at the US Embassy in Abuja stands at more than 11 months, creating difficulties for individuals seeking to travel for business meetings, conferences, medical appointments, tourism, educational programmes, or family-related emergencies.

The lengthy delays have often forced prospective travellers to postpone or cancel planned trips, particularly those requiring urgent travel arrangements.

The introduction of the premium appointment service comes against the backdrop of stricter immigration and visa policies affecting several countries, particularly in Africa.

African nationals, including Nigerians, already face the possibility of being required to pay visa bonds of up to $15,000 when applying for B1/B2 visitor visas under existing US immigration measures.

In addition, African countries account for a significant proportion of nations currently subject to partial US travel suspensions and other entry restrictions.

The State Department did not disclose which embassies and consulates would participate in the pilot scheme, leaving prospective applicants uncertain about where the service will be available.

The announcement also follows recent reports indicating that the number of US embassies and consulates actively processing visa applications across Africa could be significantly reduced, with nearly 50 visa-processing missions reportedly set to be streamlined to about 20.