The U.S. government is allowing visa applicants in Colombia and five other countries to pay a fee to expedite their interview appointments.
This program addresses long wait times for B1/B2 tourist and business visas, providing a legal mechanism for those with urgent travel needs to secure an earlier slot.
Under the pilot program, applicants can pay an additional fee of $750 [1] to move their interview to a date within 10 business days [2]. The program is currently active in six participating nations, including Colombia [2].
Officials said the payment is optional and non-refundable [2]. The expedited process is designed to provide access to slots when capacity allows, but it does not guarantee that the visa will be approved [2].
Furthermore, the program does not allow for rescheduling once the expedited appointment is set [2]. Applicants who choose this path must adhere to the assigned date or risk losing the payment.
Yahoo Noticias said the U.S. will charge 750 dollars to move the tourism and business visa interview [1]. MSN Noticias said the possibility of obtaining a U.S. visa appointment in less time has already begun to take shape [3].
While the pilot was announced in 2024 [2], it continues to operate as a way to manage the high volume of applicants seeking entry into the U.S. for business or leisure.
“Applicants can pay an additional fee of $750 to move their interview to a date within 10 business days.”
The introduction of a paid expedition fee creates a two-tier system for visa processing, where those with financial means can bypass standard wait times. While this reduces the backlog for urgent travelers, it does not increase the overall number of visas issued, as the fee only affects the timing of the interview rather than the adjudication of the application itself.
