2 min learnNew DelhiUp to date: Aug 19, 2026 06:14 PM IST
The US State Division has expanded a pilot programme that permits some B-1 and B-2 visa candidates to pay an extra $750 for entry to earlier interview appointments at collaborating US embassies and consulates. India is just not among the many places at present included within the pilot.
In an replace on the US State Division web site, the federal government said that underneath the pilot programme, candidates for B visas should comply with the normal course of to pay the $185 MRV charge and schedule an interview appointment. Thereafter, pilot posts will allocate a restricted variety of appointments day by day for the expedited appointment programme.
The candidates will have the ability to see if the expedited appointments, that are non-compulsory, can be found and may schedule them after deciding on an expedited appointment date and time. Thereafter, the applicant should pay the $750 charge inside 10 minutes to safe the appointment. The division provides that the expedited appointment charge is non-refundable.
Who can use the $750 expedited service?
The pilot programme, which is at present underway until December 31, 2026, applies to applicants seeking B-1 and B-2 visa for tourist or business travel. The programme, nonetheless, permits an applicant to obtain an earlier appointment solely and doesn’t assure a visa routinely.
Among the many Embassies and Consulates which can be collaborating within the pilot programme are:
- Mission Canada (Embassy and all consulates)
- Embassy Bogota
- Embassy Guatemala Metropolis
- Embassy San Jose
- Embassy Tegucigalpa
- Mission Mexico (Embassy and all consulates)
The federal government added that extra pilot places could also be added on the State Division web site all through the pilot interval; nonetheless, the supply of expedited appointments could also be restricted.
Is India included within the pilot programme?
No. India is just not among the many US diplomatic posts at present collaborating within the pilot. This implies candidates making use of by means of the US consular posts in Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Kolkata can’t at present use the $750 expedited appointment possibility.
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Indian candidates should subsequently proceed to make use of the common B-1/B-2 visa appointment course of except the State Division provides Indian posts to the pilot later.
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