U.S. Extends $750 Fast-Track B-1/B-2 Visa Program to Include Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras
- Editorial Team
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 11 hours ago
WASHINGTON, August 18, 2026 — The U.S. Department of State has expanded its pilot program offering expedited B-1/B-2 visa appointments for an additional $750 fee to five new consular posts, effective August 18, 2026.
The newly participating locations are Canada (Embassy and all consulates), Bogotá, Guatemala City, San José, and Tegucigalpa. U.S. consular posts in Mexico, where the program was first launched in July, continue to offer the service.
Published: August 18, 2026 | By VisasUpdate.com Editorial Team
What the Pilot Program Offers
The paid expedite option allows eligible B‑1/B‑2 (business/tourist) visa applicants to secure a visa interview appointment within 10 business days for an additional $750 fee. The fee is in addition to the standard $185 Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee.
Aspect | Details |
Fee | $750 (in addition to standard $185 MRV fee) |
Appointment Window | Within 10 business days |
Pilot Period | Until December 31, 2026 |
Participating Posts | Mexico, Canada, Bogotá, Guatemala City, San José, Tegucigalpa |
Visa Types | B‑1 (business) and B‑2 (tourism) only |
Important: The expedite fee provides an earlier appointment date only — it does not accelerate visa adjudication or processing. Any security‑ or eligibility‑related administrative processing remains subject to standard timeframes and may significantly delay visa issuance.
How to Apply for the Expedited Appointment
Step | Action |
1 | Submit DS‑160 nonimmigrant visa application online |
2 | Pay the standard MRV fee through the CEAC system |
3 | Select a standard (non‑expedited) appointment date |
4 | If available, choose an expedited appointment within 10 business days |
5 | Pay the additional $750 fee |
Availability is limited at participating posts, and expedited slots are subject to capacity.
Key Limitations & Restrictions
Restriction | Details |
No Guarantee of Approval | Applicants remain subject to all standard eligibility requirements |
No Adjudication Priority | Administrative processing and security screening unchanged |
No Rescheduling | Expedited appointments cannot be rescheduled; cancellation forfeits the $750 fee |
Limited Availability | Expedited slots are capped at participating posts |
Only One Booking | Expedited appointments may be scheduled once per applicant |
Third‑Country Nationals | Limitations on processing may be a hurdle for some applicants |
Why the State Department Launched This Program
The pilot program is designed to test demand for a fee‑based expedited appointment process, which the State Department says would require fewer consular resources than the existing humanitarian/urgent travel expedite request process.
At certain consular posts, B visa appointment wait times have exceeded one year. The program is also being tested in anticipation of demand surges associated with major events such as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The existing humanitarian/urgent travel expedite request process remains available at all posts for applicants who qualify based on humanitarian circumstances or urgent travel.
Quick Reference Summary
Aspect | Details |
Program Name | Paid Expedite Pilot Program for B‑1/B‑2 Visas |
Fee | $750 |
Appointment Guarantee | Within 10 business days |
Pilot Period | July 1 – December 31, 2026 |
Participating Posts | Mexico, Canada, Bogotá, Guatemala City, San José, Tegucigalpa |
Additional Posts | May be added; check travel.state.gov |
Visa Adjudication | Not expedited |
Existing Expedite Process | Remains available for humanitarian/urgent travel |
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