The United States is launching a new paid service for applicants of tourist and business visas B1/B2. Starting from July 1, eager applicants will be able to take advantage of expedited interview scheduling, allowing them to obtain an interview date significantly faster than the standard procedure. At the same time, the new option will not affect the chances of receiving a visa. This was reported by Visit Ukraine.
B1/B2 Visa: What Changes Will Occur from July 2026
The new mechanism will operate as a pilot project from July 1 to December 31, 2026. It is being introduced by the U.S. Department of State to reduce queues at consulates and improve access to visa services.
The main innovation is the possibility of expedited interview scheduling for an additional fee of $750. At the current exchange rate, this is over 31 thousand hryvnias.
Program participants will be able to receive an interview date within 10 working days, provided that there are available slots at the consulate.
At the same time, U.S. authorities emphasize that the paid service only pertains to faster interview scheduling and does not influence the visa decision in any way.
Who Will Have Access to Expedited Visa Scheduling in the USA
The new option will only apply to non-immigrant B1/B2 visas, which are used for short-term trips to the USA.
In particular, this relates to:
• tourism;
• business negotiations;
• participation in conferences;
• visiting relatives;
• short-term medical treatment;
• business trips.
The greatest benefit of the innovation may be for businesses and companies that need to quickly send employees to the USA for international events or negotiations.
Why the USA is Introducing a Paid Service
The reason for launching the program is the long queues for interviews at U.S. consulates in various countries around the world. In some regions, applicants have to wait several months for an interview, and sometimes even over a year.
The American side aims to partially alleviate the pressure on consulates, reduce the number of urgent requests, and use the resources of diplomatic institutions more effectively.
In fact, the USA is testing a paid acceleration model that is already being used in certain immigration services of other countries.
It should be noted that the USA has suspended visas for citizens of 75 countries in 2026.