State Department rolls out $750 fee to fast-track visa interviews

The State Department will allow certain visa applicants to “bypass” long wait times for $750, in addition to the $185 base fee already in place.

The Tuesday announcement of the pilot program, which will run between July 1 and Dec. 31, comes as FIFA’s 2026 World Cup is expected to attract more than 1 million foreign tourists to American stadiums later this month. Wait times for visitor visa interviews can stretch to two years at certain U.S. Consulates and Embassies, but the fee ensures they’ll have an appointment scheduled within 10 days.