The United States government has unveiled a new premium visa interview service that will allow eligible travellers to secure interview appointments within 10 business days by paying an additional $750 fee.
The initiative, announced by the US Department of State, is aimed at reducing the impact of lengthy visa appointment waiting times currently affecting applicants in several countries, including Nigeria.
According to the new policy, the expedited service will be available as a pilot programme from July 1 to December 31, 2026, at selected US embassies and consulates worldwide.
Applicants seeking to use the service must first complete the normal visa application process and pay the standard $185 visa application fee before opting for the premium appointment option.
The State Department explained that the programme is designed to test demand for a paid fast-track interview system while improving efficiency in visa scheduling.
However, officials stressed that paying the extra fee does not guarantee visa approval.
“An expedited visa appointment in no way guarantees visa issuance,” the department stated.
The move comes as several US missions continue to experience significant visa backlogs.
In Nigeria, for example, applicants seeking B1/B2 visitor visas reportedly face waiting periods of nearly a year before securing interview appointments.
US authorities said growing international travel demand, including trips linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games, contributed to the decision to introduce the premium service.
Only a limited number of diplomatic missions will participate in the pilot programme, with appointment availability depending on local demand and scheduling capacity.
The US government described the initiative as a temporary measure designed to evaluate whether travellers are willing to pay for faster access to visa interview slots.
Source: US Department of State / Federal Register
