US authorities are said to be planning an offer of a $1,000 payment option to fast-track tourists and other non-immigrant visa interviews, specifically the B1/B2 visas, which cover business and tourism travel to the United States.
This is according to an internal memo reviewed by Reuters, which seeks to provide priority access to available interview slots at U.S. embassies, cutting down the long wait times that can stretch for months. The program could launch as early as December 2025, according to the memo.
About the Proposed Option
If the proposal moves ahead, the $1,000 fee would come on top of the current $185 application fee for B1/B2 visas, bringing the total cost of an expedited visa to $1,185.
The proposed program would, however, not replace the standard visa process but would add an expedited option for applicants who can afford to pay for faster service.
As of late May, data from the U.S. State Department shows that wait times for B1/B2 visa appointments vary significantly by country, in some cases exceeding 300 days.
Lgal Challenge
According to the internal memo, attorneys within the State Department have flagged a “high risk” that the plan could be rejected, either by the White House budget office or by federal courts as the $1,000 fee would exceed the actual cost of providing the service, potentially violating long-standing Supreme Court rulings that prohibit federal agencies from profiting off regulated public services.
The proposal could also further reduce travelers’ preference for the US as a tourist location. The number of tourists visiting the US has already reduced drastically as a result of stricter immigration policies as such introducing additional fees could further discourage potential travelers.