The Trump administration is weighing a big change to the US visa course of: a $1,000 premium payment for vacationers and different non-immigrant visa candidates looking for quicker interview appointments.

Based on an inside State Division memo reviewed by Reuters, this new fast-track possibility would permit candidates to bypass the usually months-long look forward to US visa interviews by paying a premium on prime of the usual $185 processing payment.

The proposed expedited service would particularly goal B1 and B2 visa classes, overlaying enterprise and vacationer journey, and is designed to alleviate long-standing delays at US consulates.

In cities like Chennai, Mumbai, and New Delhi, wait occasions for customer visa interviews at the moment stretch from eight to 14 months. By paying the $1,000 payment, eligible candidates might safe an earlier interview date, although the applying evaluation course of itself would stay unchanged.

The plan, which could possibly be piloted as early as December 2025, is a part of a broader set of immigration measures being thought of by the Trump administration since President Donald Trump’s return to workplace in January 2025.

These measures embrace tighter screening protocols for all visa classes and the introduction of a controversial “gold card” program, which proposes a $5 million path to US citizenship for buyers.

Whereas the premium payment proposal might enchantment to vacationers from nations like India, the place delays are particularly extreme, it has already sparked debate over equity and accessibility. Critics argue that the system would prioritize those that can afford to pay, doubtlessly disadvantaging candidates from lower-income backgrounds.

Authorities attorneys have additionally raised important authorized issues. The inner memo warns that charging a payment above the precise price of offering the service might violate established Supreme Courtroom precedent, making a “excessive danger” that the plan could possibly be rejected by the White Home finances workplace or struck down in courtroom. As of now, the US State Division has not confirmed the proposal, stating solely that visa appointment scheduling is “dynamic” and underneath steady evaluation.

The proposal comes at a time when worldwide journey to the US is projected to say no. The World Journey and Tourism Council estimates a 7 per cent drop in worldwide journey spending within the US for 2025, citing each a powerful greenback and rising discomfort with the administration’s immigration stance.

In 2023, the US issued 10.4 million non-immigrant visas, together with 5.9 million vacationer visas, underscoring the dimensions of demand for well timed appointments. If applied, the $1,000 fast-track payment might reshape the visa expertise for a lot of, however its future stays unsure as authorized and coverage critiques proceed.