The State Department is preparing to roll out a new premium visa service that will allow certain foreign travelers to secure visa interview appointments at participating U.S. embassies and consulates within days rather than months—for a substantial additional fee.

Under the new initiative, business and tourist visa applicants will be able to pay an extra $750 to gain access to expedited interview scheduling at selected diplomatic posts overseas. The fee will be charged in addition to the standard $185 visa application cost.

According to a notice expected to appear in the Federal Register this week, applicants who opt into the program will be eligible to schedule an interview within 10 days of making the payment. The Associated Press first reported details of the upcoming program.

The State Department plans to launch the pilot initiative on July 1, with the trial scheduled to continue through Dec. 31. Officials could extend the program beyond that date if demand proves strong.

The list of embassies and consulates participating in the expedited service is expected to be released before the program begins.

Officials believe the new option could help ease lengthy backlogs for visa interviews, which have persisted as the Trump administration has implemented broader changes to visa vetting and enforcement procedures.

In recent years, federal authorities have expanded screening requirements for foreign applicants. Among the measures introduced are visa bonds of up to $15,000 for applicants from certain countries with high visa-overstay rates, as well as expanded disclosure requirements covering years of personal information, including social media activity.

Those enhanced screening procedures have contributed to longer processing times in many parts of the world, leaving some applicants waiting months for interview appointments.

While payment of the new fee will not increase an applicant’s chances of obtaining a visa, it is expected to significantly shorten the wait for an interview, particularly for travelers from countries that do not participate in the Visa Waiver Program, where appointment delays can stretch for several months or longer.

The State Department has emphasized that the premium service affects only the speed at which an interview can be scheduled and does not alter the standards used to determine whether a visa is ultimately approved.

{Matzav.com}