The United States Department of State has unveiled a new premium service that will allow applicants for B1/B2 visitor visas to secure expedited interview appointments by paying an additional $750 fee. According to a notice published in the Federal Register on June 9, applicants who choose the optional service will be eligible for interview appointments within 10 business days at participating US embassies and consulates.
The pilot programme is scheduled to run from July 1 to December 31, 2026, and may be extended depending on its effectiveness and demand. The initiative comes amid concerns over lengthy visa processing times and stricter immigration policies introduced under the administration of Donald Trump. These measures have affected visa applicants from several countries, particularly across Africa. Under existing policies, some African nationals, including Nigerians, may be required to provide visa bonds of up to $15,000 when applying for B1/B2 visas. Several African countries also remain subject to partial US travel restrictions.
The combination of tighter immigration measures and growing demand for appointments has contributed to long waiting periods for visa interviews, creating difficulties for travellers with urgent business, family, medical or tourism-related needs.In Nigeria, the US Embassy in Abuja reportedly has an average waiting time of about 11.5 months for B1/B2 visa interview appointments. While the standard application fee for a B1/B2 visa remains $185, applicants seeking faster interview scheduling will be required to pay the additional $750 premium fee separately.
The State Department stressed that payment for the expedited service does not guarantee visa approval. Applicants must still meet all eligibility requirements and successfully complete the visa adjudication process. Authorities have not yet disclosed which US embassies and consulates will participate in the programme. The announcement also comes amid reports that the number of US embassies and consulates across Africa handling visa applications could be reduced from nearly 50 to about 20, a development that has sparked concerns about future access to consular services on the continent.
Source: https://guardian.ng/
