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Visa Appointments: Who Manages Them

Updated

Visa interview appointments are scheduled and managed by the U.S. Department of State (Bureau of Consular Affairs) and the specific U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply — not by SelectUSA or the U.S. Commercial Service. Appointment systems and expedite procedures are set independently by each embassy or consulate, so the process can differ depending on where you are applying.

New: Paid Expedited Appointment Option (Pilot Program)

The Department of State is currently testing a Nonimmigrant Visa Expedited Appointment Pilot Program at select U.S. embassies and consulates, running through December 31, 2026. Under this voluntary program, eligible B visa (business/tourist) applicants who have already scheduled a regular appointment may pay a $750 fee to secure an interview within 10 business days, subject to availability. This option does not require applicants to meet the traditional "emergency" criteria — it's available to travelers whose reason for needing an earlier appointment doesn't otherwise qualify as an emergency.

Some important details:

  • This program is only available at participating posts — see the current list of participating embassies/consulates on the U.S. Department of State's official pilot program page.
  • It applies only to B-1/B-2 (business/tourist) visa applicants.
  • Applicants must first schedule a regular appointment before this option becomes available to them.
  • Paying the fee secures an earlier appointment only — it does not guarantee visa issuance, and the fee is non-refundable.

If your post is not currently participating in the pilot, or if your visa category doesn't qualify, you can still request a traditional expedited or emergency appointment through the regular process:

  1. Schedule a regular appointment first. You generally must have a standard interview appointment booked — even if the date is far in the future — before requesting an expedited one.
  2. Submit an expedited/emergency request through the official visa appointment portal. Log into your account and look for an option such as "Request Expedited Appointment" or "Emergency Appointment."
  3. Provide documentation of urgency. Posts generally require evidence of an unforeseen, time-sensitive need for travel.
  4. Wait for a decision by email. The embassy or consulate will notify you directly whether your request is approved or denied. This decision is made solely by them.

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