In August 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of State launched its new Nonimmigrant Visa Expedited Appointment Pilot Program in Canada, allowing certain applicants for B-1, B-2 and B-1/B-2 visitor visas to pay an additional US$750 expedited appointment fee for the opportunity to schedule a visa interview within 10 business days, subject to appointment availability. The program is temporary and is currently scheduled to operate through December 31, 2026. Importantly, paying the US$750 fee does not increase the likelihood that a visa will be approved. It only provides access to an earlier interview appointment.
What Is the New U.S. Paid Expedited Visa Appointment?
The pilot gives eligible B visa applicants an alternative when they need an earlier interview but either do not qualify for a traditional emergency appointment or simply want to obtain an earlier available interview.
Applicants must first complete the normal visa application and appointment process, including paying the regular US$185 Machine Readable Visa (MRV) application fee and scheduling a regular interview.
If the applicant is eligible and paid expedited appointments are available, the applicant may then be able to select the “Paid Expedite” option.
The additional expedited appointment fee is:
US$750 per applicant, per appointment.
This fee is in addition to the regular US$185 visa application fee.
U.S. Visa Paid Expedite Is Now Available in Canada
Of particular importance to applicants in Canada, the pilot launched on August 18, 2026 at Mission Canada, which includes the U.S. Embassy and U.S. consulates in Canada.
The Department of State has announced the following participating locations and launch dates:
- Canada – U.S. Embassy and all U.S. consulates: August 18, 2026
- Bogotá, Colombia: August 18, 2026
- Guatemala City, Guatemala: August 18, 2026
- San José, Costa Rica: August 18, 2026
- Tegucigalpa, Honduras: August 18, 2026
- Mexico – U.S. Embassy and all U.S. consulates: July 21, 2026
The Department of State may add additional locations before the pilot ends.
Who Can Use the $750 Paid Expedite Program?
The pilot is presently directed at eligible applicants seeking B visas, including visas for temporary business and tourism.
Generally, an applicant must:
- Be applying for a qualifying B visa;
- Pay the regular US$185 MRV visa application fee;
- Have a future regular interview appointment scheduled;
- Have a valid, unexpired MRV fee receipt;
- Apply at a location participating in the pilot program; and
- Have the “Paid Expedite” option available in the appointment system.
Availability is limited. The Department of State has indicated that participating posts will allocate only a limited number of expedited appointments each day.
Therefore, eligibility for the program does not necessarily mean an expedited appointment will be available.
How Does the Paid Expedite Process Work?
Applicants must first proceed through the normal B visa application process.
After scheduling a regular interview appointment, an eligible applicant may sign into the visa appointment account, select “Continue,” choose “Request Expedite,” and then select the “Paid Expedite” option if it appears.
The option will appear only when:
- the particular country is participating in the pilot;
- paid expedited appointments are currently available; and
- the applicant meets the applicable eligibility requirements.
If an expedited appointment is available, the applicant may select an interview date and time occurring within the next 10 business days.
The 10-Minute Payment Rule
There is an important deadline once an expedited appointment is selected.
After selecting the expedited interview date and time, the applicant must complete payment of the US$750 fee within 10 minutes to secure the appointment.
Applicants should therefore be prepared to complete payment immediately after selecting an appointment.
You Cannot Reschedule a Paid Expedited Appointment
Applicants should carefully select their appointment date.
Once a Paid Expedite appointment has been scheduled, it cannot be rescheduled.
If the applicant cancels or misses the expedited appointment, the expedited appointment fee is forfeited.
An applicant who wants another Paid Expedite appointment would generally need to pay another expedited appointment fee, assuming the applicant remains eligible and another appointment is available.
The $750 Fee Is Non-Refundable
The Paid Expedite fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
This is particularly important because the fee is not refunded merely because:
- the visa is refused;
- the applicant misses the appointment;
- the applicant cancels the appointment; or
- the applicant later decides not to proceed.
Applicants should therefore understand that they are paying for earlier access to an interview, not for expedited visa approval.
Does Paying $750 Increase Your Chances of Getting a U.S. Visa?
No.
This is one of the most important aspects of the new program.
The additional fee buys an earlier appointment—not a visa approval.
Applicants using the pilot remain subject to the same U.S. immigration laws, eligibility requirements, security screening, background checks and consular adjudication as other visa applicants.
The consular officer must still independently determine whether the applicant qualifies for the requested B visa.
For a visitor visa applicant, obtaining an interview quickly does not eliminate issues such as establishing the purpose of the trip, demonstrating eligibility for temporary admission, addressing prior U.S. immigration history, or overcoming other potential grounds of refusal or inadmissibility.
What If My Emergency Appointment Request Was Refused?
A refusal of a traditional emergency appointment request does not necessarily prevent an applicant from using the Paid Expedite program.
According to the Department of State, an applicant whose regular emergency visitor visa appointment request was denied may still schedule a Paid Expedite appointment if the applicant otherwise meets the eligibility requirements and an appointment is available.
This could make the program particularly useful for applicants who have a legitimate reason for wanting to travel soon but whose circumstances do not satisfy the criteria for a traditional emergency appointment.
What About Families and Groups?
The US$750 fee applies to each applicant.
For example, if four applicants in a family or group all want Paid Expedite appointments, each applicant must pay the expedited appointment fee.
The appointment system may allow a group to be separated if only some members wish to use the Paid Expedite option.
Can Interview-Waiver Applicants Pay $750 for Faster Processing?
No.
An applicant who qualifies for the interview-waiver process cannot simply pay the US$750 fee to have the application processed faster.
The Paid Expedite pilot is designed to provide an earlier interview appointment. Applicants must therefore have an interview appointment scheduled to qualify.
The Department of State separately maintains rules governing when certain visa applicants may qualify for an interview waiver.
Earlier Interview Does Not Mean Faster Visa Processing
Applicants should also distinguish between:
expedited appointment scheduling and expedited visa processing.
The US$750 payment addresses the first issue only.
It provides an opportunity to obtain an earlier interview, potentially within 10 business days. It does not guarantee that the visa will be issued immediately after the interview.
Depending on the individual application, additional processing, documentation, screening or administrative processing may still be required.
Premium Passport Delivery May Be Included
Applicants who pay for a Paid Expedite appointment may also select one of the available premium delivery options at no additional charge, where such an option is available.
Again, this does not change the substantive adjudication of the visa application.
Important Consideration for Applicants Applying in Canada
Applicants should also be aware of the Department of State’s current guidance concerning where nonimmigrant visa applicants should apply.
As of July 15, 2026, the Department advises nonimmigrant visa applicants to schedule their interviews at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence. Applicants applying based on residence should be prepared to demonstrate their residence in that country.
Therefore, the existence of Paid Expedite appointments in Canada should not automatically be interpreted as meaning that any foreign national anywhere in the world should travel to Canada simply to obtain a faster U.S. visa appointment.
Applicants should consider both the Paid Expedite rules and the Department of State’s rules concerning the appropriate location for their visa application.
Is the $750 Paid Expedite Worth It?
That depends on the applicant’s circumstances.
For someone facing a very long appointment wait who has an important upcoming business trip, family visit, conference or other time-sensitive reason for travel, obtaining an interview within 10 business days may be valuable.
However, applicants should remember:
US$750 buys an earlier appointment. It does not buy a visa.
Before paying the non-refundable fee, an applicant should consider whether they are prepared for the visa interview and whether there are legal or factual issues that could affect visa eligibility.
Need Assistance With a U.S. Visitor Visa?
A faster interview can be helpful, but the strength and preparation of the underlying visa application remain important.
If you are applying for a U.S. B-1 business visa, B-2 tourist visa or B-1/B-2 visitor visa, or have questions about a prior visa refusal or other U.S. immigration issue, contact YA Law Corporation for assistance.
YA LAW CORPORATION
Attorneys at Law
Tel: 604-620-9598
Email: admin@yalaw.ca
Website: www.yalaw.ca
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Visa rules, appointment availability and pilot-program procedures may change. Applicants should confirm current requirements before proceeding.