Report: You May Soon Be Able to Pay $1,000 for Priority U.S. Visa Interviews.

The Trump administration is contemplating the introduction of a new $1,000 premium service fee that would enable tourists and other short-term visa applicants to skip normal waiting times for interviews at US consulates, according to a ‘State Department memo’ and a US official familiar with the situation, as reported by Reuters.

Currently, applicants for non-immigrant visas — such as tourist, business visitor, and student visas — pay a standard processing fee of $185. The proposed premium fee would allow select applicants to significantly expedite their interview appointments by paying an extra $1,000.

Although the initiative could be launched as a pilot program as soon as December, legal experts in the government have raised potential constitutional and administrative concerns. A memo reviewed by Reuters cautions that charging more than the actual cost of the expedited service “contradicts established Supreme Court precedent,” increasing the chances that the proposal could face legal challenges or be blocked by the White House budget office.
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The memo also highlights the legal risk linked to the policy as “high,” indicating worries that it may not survive judicial scrutiny.

A spokesperson for the State Department chose not to confirm the proposed fee arrangement, stating, “The department’s scheduling of non-immigrant visa interview appointments is dynamic, and we are continually working to enhance our operations globally.”

The potential fee arises amid broader immigration measures advocated by Donald Trump since his return to office. These measures include stricter screening protocols for all visa categories and the contentious “gold card” initiative, which provides a pathway to citizenship for those willing to invest $5 million in the United States.

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According to the most recent annual report from the State Department, the US issued 10.4 million non-immigrant visas during the 2023 fiscal year, including around 5.9 million tourist visas.

In the meantime, the World Travel and Tourism Council forecasts a 7% decline in international tourism spending in the United States by 2025, citing a robust US dollar and growing opposition to Trump’s immigration policies.