Trump administration weighs $1,000 fee for expedited U.S. visa interviews

Trump administration weighs $1,000 fee for expedited U.S. visa interviews

The Trump administration is reviewing a proposal to introduce a $1,000 fee for expedited interview appointments for U.S. tourist and other non-immigrant visas, according to an internal State Department memo. This would be in addition to the current $185 visa application fee and is intended to provide faster interview slots for applicants willing to pay more.

While the State Department declined to comment on internal discussions, it confirmed ongoing efforts to enhance the visa scheduling system and reduce global wait times. Legal concerns have been raised by government attorneys about the proposed fee’s implementation and fairness.

Since returning to office in January, President Trump has adopted stricter immigration measures, including visa cancellations and increased screening. In fiscal year 2023, the U.S. issued over 10 million non-immigrant visas, nearly six million of which were for tourism. Critics warn the new fee could create inequities in access, favoring those who can afford to pay for faster processing.