An existing pilot—not a new nationwide service
This existing B-visa pilot runs through December 31, 2026, according to the State Department's August 18 notice. It is not a new announcement.
Listed participants are Mission Mexico, launched July 21; and Mission Canada, Bogota, Guatemala City, San Jose and Tegucigalpa, launched August 18. Availability is limited.
What the payment buys
Eligible applicants first pay the usual $185 application fee and schedule a regular interview. The optional $750 fee is additional, per applicant, for an available interview within ten business days. It does not guarantee a visa or faster adjudication.
Once a slot is selected, payment must be completed within ten minutes. The expedited appointment cannot be rescheduled; its fee is nonrefundable and nontransferable. Missing or cancelling it forfeits that payment. Check the official scheduling account and current post instructions before paying.
The underlying visitor-visa rules still matter
A visitor visa is for an appropriate temporary purpose, such as tourism, visiting relatives or qualifying business activities. It is not permission to take a U.S. job or move permanently to the United States. An interview appointment does not change the category's permitted activities.
Prepare the DS-160 confirmation, passport, payment receipt where required and the other documents specified by the embassy. Additional evidence may address the trip's purpose, ability to meet its costs and intention to depart. The State Department warns applicants not to buy tickets or make final travel plans before a visa is issued.
A practical decision checklist
- Write down the trip's real deadline and whether it can move.
- Separate the interview date from the date you need your passport back.
- Budget for travel, accommodation and time away from work as well as agency fees.
- Keep screenshots and receipts securely; never give a third party your account password.
- If the trip is essential, consider a backup plan that does not depend on an immigration decision.
The takeaway
Paying for speed at one stage is not a promise about the next. Read the official notice and your post's instructions together, and seek licensed legal advice if prior refusals, immigration violations or your proposed activities raise questions. Information checked September 16, 2026; this article does not determine eligibility.