A New Paid Fast Track for US Visa Interviews
The US Department of State announced a new pilot program on July 22, 2026. It lets some tourist and business visa applicants pay an extra fee to get an earlier interview date. For UAE residents who track every change in US visa policy, this is worth understanding now, even before it reaches Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
The program is called the Nonimmigrant Visa Expedited Appointment Pilot. It is voluntary and separate from the standard visa process. It does not replace the regular DS-160 application, the MRV fee, or the consular interview itself.
How the Paid Expedite Option Works
Applicants must first complete the normal steps. That means submitting the DS-160 form, paying the standard USD 185 MRV fee, and scheduling a regular B1/B2 interview appointment.
Once that regular appointment exists, eligible applicants at participating posts may see a “Paid Expedite” option. Selecting it and paying an additional USD 750 within ten minutes secures an interview within the next ten business days, subject to availability.
- The USD 750 fee is separate from and in addition to the USD 185 MRV fee.
- The fee is non refundable and non transferable.
- An expedited appointment cannot be rescheduled. Missing it means forfeiting the fee.
- Each applicant in a group must pay the fee individually if the whole group wants expedited slots.
- Applicants renewing a visa through the interview waiver process do not qualify for this option.
Where the pilot currently operates
As of now, the Department of State has only launched this option at Mission Mexico, covering the embassy and all consulates there. The Department has said additional embassies and consulates may join during the testing period, which runs through December 31, 2026. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are not yet included.
What This Means for UAE Residents in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
For now, applicants booking a B1/B2 interview at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the US Consulate General in Dubai still follow the standard appointment process. There is no paid expedite option available locally at this time.
That could change. The Department has expanded similar pilots before without much advance notice, so it is sensible to check the official embassy and consulate websites regularly if an early appointment matters to your travel plans.
It is also worth remembering what this program does and does not do. Paying for an earlier appointment only changes when you sit in front of a consular officer. It does not change the screening you go through, and it does not increase the chance of approval. Every applicant, expedited or not, must still demonstrate eligibility for the visa. The final decision always rests with the consular officer handling the case.
Genuine emergencies such as a medical situation, a family emergency, or an imminent school start date are handled through the existing emergency appointment request feature, which remains free and separate from this paid pilot.
Working with an experienced visa service can help you prepare a complete, well organized application while you wait for your regular appointment date. Our packages start at AED 3,500 plus VAT per person and include the USD 185 US government MRV fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the paid expedite option available in Dubai or Abu Dhabi yet?
Not currently. The pilot launched only at Mission Mexico in July 2026. UAE applicants should continue using the standard appointment system and check embassy and consulate websites for any updates.
Does paying USD 750 guarantee a faster visa decision?
No. It only offers an earlier interview slot where available. It does not speed up screening or increase the likelihood of visa issuance, and it does not guarantee that a visa will be granted.
Who decides whether I get a US visa?
A US consular officer makes that decision at the interview, based on US law and the documentation and information you present. No fee or service can override that decision.
Sources
US Department of State, Nonimmigrant Visa Expedited Appointment Pilot Program
Gulf News, US begins USD 750 fast track tourist visa interview trials
