Faster US visas: expedited appointments and premium processing

After booking the first available regular appointment, you can ask the U.S. embassy or consulate for an earlier slot through its appointment system, explaining the urgent medical or humanitarian reason with documents such as a doctor’s letter or hospital records. Responses usually come within about 5 business days and slots are very limited. After an ESTA denial, attach a copy of the denial.

A temporary State Department rule in force from 1 July to 31 December 2026 created an optional $750 fee, on top of the $185 visa fee, that secures a B-1/B-2 interview within ten business days at selected posts and in limited numbers. The participating posts are published on travel.state.gov; check there whether your post is included before relying on it.

Employers and some applicants can file Form I-907 to have USCIS take action within a set time. Fees: $2,965 for I-129 H-1B, L-1, O, P, E, TN and similar classifications and for I-140 EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3; $1,780 for H-2B or R petitions and for OPT and STEM-OPT EADs; $2,075 for I-539 changes to F, J or M status. The clock is 15 business days for most cases, 30 for I-765 and I-539, and 45 for multinational manager (E13) and national interest waiver petitions; a request for evidence stops and restarts it.

None of these services guarantees approval. Premium processing speeds up USCIS action on the petition, not the later visa interview, and USCIS may issue a request for evidence instead of a decision. Interview-waiver renewals sent by mail cannot be expedited this way.