The administration of US President Donald Trump will launch a pilot program for expedited appointments for interviews for obtaining tourist and business visas to the United States. The Associated Press reported this on June 8, citing internal documents of the US State Department.
The cost of the service will be $750 in addition to the standard application fee of $185.
Under the pilot program, applicants will be able to receive an interview date within 10 days of paying the additional fee. The service will be available at select American embassies and consulates, the list of which will be announced by July 1.
The program will operate from July 1 until the end of this year. If necessary, it can be extended.
As the AP notes, the initiative appeared against the backdrop of the Trump administration's tightening immigration policies. New requirements for screening applicants, such as analysis of their social media accounts and additional personal data, have led to delays in issuing visas in many countries.
At the same time, the State Department emphasizes that paying for an expedited interview does not guarantee a visa, but only allows you to go through the application review procedure faster.
