The State Department will introduce a pilot program allowing foreigners seeking business or tourist visas to pay $750 for expedited interviews. This premium service, set to launch on July 1, aims to reduce wait times for visa interviews, which can be several months long for citizens of countries not part of the Visa Waiver Program.

Program Details

The $750 fee, in addition to the initial $185 fee, will grant applicants an interview within 10 days of payment at select U.S. embassies and consulates. However, paying the fee does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. The pilot program will run until December 31, with the possibility of extension depending on demand.

The Trump administration has implemented stricter migration policies, including demanding bonds of up to $15,000 for visa processing in some countries and requiring extensive personal history, including social media accounts, to be vetted. These new requirements have led to delays in visa processing worldwide, prompting complaints.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.