The United States Department of State has introduced a premium visa interview service that will allow certain visitor visa applicants to secure interview appointments within 10 business days by paying an additional $750 fee.
The new initiative, announced in a notice published in the Federal Register on June 9, is designed to reduce long waiting periods for B1/B2 visitor visa applicants seeking entry into the United States for tourism, business, medical treatment, or family visits.
The pilot programme is scheduled to run from July 1 to December 31, 2026, and may be extended if authorities consider it successful.
Under the programme, applicants who choose the expedited option will pay an extra $750 in addition to the standard non-immigrant visa application fee of $185. The additional payment only guarantees quicker access to an interview appointment and does not influence the outcome of the visa application.
The State Department stressed that applicants must still satisfy all eligibility requirements and successfully complete the visa adjudication process before a visa can be granted.
The initiative comes as the administration of President Donald Trump continues to implement stricter immigration and visa policies. Several African countries have experienced increased scrutiny, while some travellers face additional requirements aimed at reducing visa overstays.
For Nigerian applicants, obtaining a visitor visa interview has become increasingly difficult due to high demand and limited appointment slots. The US Embassy in Abuja currently has an average waiting period of approximately 11.5 months for B1/B2 visa interviews, creating challenges for travellers.
The introduction of the premium service is expected to provide an alternative for applicants willing to pay for faster scheduling, particularly business executives, medical travellers, and individuals facing time-sensitive travel needs.
Concerns have also emerged over reports that the number of American diplomatic missions in Africa processing visa applications could decline significantly in the future
