# U.S. expedited B1/B2 visa pilot program

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-expedited-b1b2-visa-pilot-program
> Updated: 2026-08-29T19:00:53.000Z. Sources: 24. Developments: 2.

The U.S. Department of State introduced a pilot program to provide expedited B1/B2 tourist visa appointments. Under this initiative, applicants can secure an interview within approximately 10 business days by paying a non-refundable $750 fee in addition to the standard $185 MRV fee. The program is active in several locations, including Canada, Mexico, and various consulates in Central and South America, such as Bogotá, Guatemala City, San José, and Tegucigalpa.

In Bogotá, the expedited service is scheduled to run until December 31, 2026. The total processing cost for this expedited service in that location is $935 per person.

As of August 2026, the expedited B-type visa interview pilot remains active in Bogotá for eligible applicants.

## Claims

- The suspension of services is focused on immigrant visas intended for those seeking permanent residence. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- U.S. embassies and consulates are rescheduling immigrant visa interviews due to a global consular training initiative. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The training aims to help officials evaluate if applicants pose a risk of becoming a public charge. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The U.S. Department of State is reviewing B-1 and B-2 visas held by foreign nationals who later applied for asylum. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Department of Homeland Security has proposed a $103,265 fee for companies sponsoring new H-1B visas subject to the annual cap. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Philippine Embassy is advising Filipinos in the U.S. to monitor their immigration status due to potential visa revocations. (single source)
- USCIS will reject outdated versions of forms I-765 and I-539 starting September 15, 2026. (single source)
- USCIS has formally incorporated neighborhood investigations into its policy manual to verify naturalization applicants' information. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-29: U.S. immigration policy undergoes major shifts in visa reviews and fees

The U.S. is implementing major immigration shifts, including B-1/B-2 visa reviews, proposed $103,265 H-1B fees, rescheduled immigrant visa interviews, and new USCIS form requirements.

17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-implements-visa-policy-changes-and-fee-proposals

### 2026-08-23: U.S. Department of State launches expedited visa appointment pilot program

The U.S. Department of State is piloting an expedited B1/B2 visa appointment program, allowing applicants to secure interviews in roughly 10 business days for an additional $750 fee.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-department-of-state-launches-expedited-visa-appointment-pilot-program

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Cite as: U.S. expedited B1/B2 visa pilot program. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-expedited-b1b2-visa-pilot-program