The US is to pilot a premium visa service that would allow applicants to pay an additional US$750 (R12 300) to secure a visa interview appointment within two business days.
The programme, scheduled to run from July 1 to December 31, will apply to B1 and B2 non-immigrant visa applicants at selected US embassies and consulates. The Department has not yet confirmed which missions will participate in the pilot. After the pilot is completed, the Department will decide whether to continue the service or adjust fee structures.
According to Debbie Nicholson, Managing Member at Visas Unlimited, current US visa wait times range from two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half months. She said that, if implemented in South Africa, the expedited option would benefit travellers departing from late July.
Nicholson added that the additional fee did not guarantee visa approval. “It only provides faster access to a visa interview appointment. All applicants will still be required to meet the standard visa eligibility requirements.”
