The United States Department of State has introduced a new optional premium service for B1/B2 visitor visa applicants, allowing individuals to pay an additional $750 to secure earlier interview dates.

According to a notice published in the Federal Register on June 9, the initiative will enable eligible applicants to access interview appointments within 10 business days at participating US embassies and consulates.

The pilot programme is scheduled to run from July 1 to December 31, 2026, and may be extended depending on its performance and demand.

The move comes amid rising concerns over prolonged visa processing delays and stricter immigration policies under President Donald Trump’s administration, which have affected applicants from several countries, particularly in Africa.

Under current arrangements, some African applicants, including Nigerians, may also be required to provide visa bonds of up to $15,000 when applying for B1/B2 visas, alongside other existing restrictions affecting travel eligibility.

These measures, combined with high application volumes, have contributed to significant backlogs in visa interview scheduling. In Nigeria, the US Embassy in Abuja currently records an average waiting time of about 11.5 months for B1/B2 visa appointments.

While the standard application fee remains $185, the new premium service will require applicants seeking faster scheduling to pay an additional $750. The State Department stressed that the fee only covers expedited appointment access and does not guarantee visa approval.

Officials did not specify which US diplomatic missions would participate in the programme.

The announcement also comes amid reports suggesting a possible reduction in the number of US embassies and consulates handling visa applications across Africa, from about 50 to roughly 20, a development that has raised concerns about access to consular services on the continent.