The US State Department is testing something Indian applicants have asked about for years: paying to jump the interview queue. Since 21 July 2026, B1/B2 applicants at Mission Mexico can pay $750 for an interview within 10 business days. India is not part of the pilot — and until it is, any "official $750 expedite" offered by an agent in India is a scam.
In this guide4 sections
What is the pilot, exactly?#
The Department "is testing a nonimmigrant visa (NIV) expedited appointment program at select U.S. embassies and consulates through December 31, 2026." Eligible B-visa applicants — new bookings or existing appointments with an unexpired MRV receipt — "may pay a $750 fee per appointment to schedule a visa interview within 10 business days (subject to availability)." Posts release a limited number of expedited slots each day; the fee must be paid within 10 minutes of selecting one, it is non-refundable, and a missed appointment forfeits it.
Where does it work — and does that include India?#
One place: "Mission Mexico (Embassy and all consulates) – 7/21/26." The notice adds that "additional pilot locations may be announced throughout the pilot period." No Indian post — not New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad or Kolkata — appears in the list as of 17 August 2026. In an Indian ustraveldocs profile the "Paid Expedite" button simply does not exist; the Department says it "will only display if this option is available in the country where the appointment is being scheduled."
What does this change for Indians right now?#
Nothing at the counter — and something in the scam market. Interview waits for Indian visitor visas still run months in the four big cities (our live picture: US visa wait times in India). The only legitimate faster paths remain the free emergency-appointment request for genuine urgent travel and watching for cancellation drops. Anyone selling a "$750 government expedite" for an Indian applicant is inventing an option that does not exist here; the playbook is described in how visa agent fraud works in India.
Will India be added?#
Unknown. India is one of the largest B1/B2 markets in the world and has the longest queues, which makes it a plausible candidate; it is also where a paid queue would be most controversial. We will add a layered update to this note the day the State Department lists an Indian post — and nothing before that.
VisaGyan is an independent journal, not affiliated with the US government or ustraveldocs. Verify any expedite option inside your own scheduling account.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I pay $750 for a faster US visa interview in India?
- Not as of 17 August 2026. The paid expedite pilot is live only at Mission Mexico (embassy and all consulates) from 21 July 2026. The State Department says more posts "may be announced" before the pilot ends on 31 December 2026, but no Indian post is listed.
- How does the $750 expedited appointment work where it exists?
- You first pay the normal $185 MRV fee and book a regular interview. If your post is in the pilot and slots are available, a "Paid Expedite" option appears in your scheduling account; you pay $750 per appointment within 10 minutes of selecting a slot and get an interview within 10 business days. The fee is non-refundable and the date cannot be changed.
- Does paying $750 improve my chances of getting the visa?
- No. The State Department states the program "allows applicants to receive an earlier appointment only" and that participants undergo the same screening; it "does not guarantee issuance of a visa".