Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The United States Department of State has introduced a premium visa appointment service that allows eligible B1/B2 visa applicants to pay an additional $750 for interview appointments scheduled within 10 business days.
The pilot programme, which will run from July 1 to December 31, 2026, is designed to address long waiting times and rising demand for visitor visas in several countries.
According to a notice published in the Federal Register, the optional service will be available only at selected embassies and consulates.
The State Department said the programme is intended to evaluate demand for expedited interview appointments.
“This temporary final rule is designed to collect information from select countries about the demand for a fee-based process to expedite a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment,” the department stated.
The US government stressed that paying the additional fee does not guarantee visa approval.
“An expedited visa appointment in no way guarantees visa issuance,” the State Department said.
Applicants must still satisfy all existing visa requirements, including security screening and consular interviews.
The programme comes amid growing visa backlogs in several countries, including Nigeria.
According to the department, the average waiting period for B1/B2 visa interviews in Abuja has reached approximately 11.5 months.
“At certain posts wait times exceed 12 months, making it difficult for some applicants to apply for visas for urgent or last-minute travel,” the rule stated.
Officials also linked the initiative to increased travel demand associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup and preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Those wishing to move their appointments forward may then select available expedited slots within 10 business days.
The new service requires payment of the standard $185 visa application fee in addition to the $750 premium charge.
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Oluwafunbi Bello 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius