Trump administration mulls $1,000 fee to fast-track visa interviews

The Trump administration is weighing a plan to introduce a $1,000 fee for expedited visa interview appointments for tourists and other non-immigrant applicants, according to a US official and an internal State Department memo, Reuters reported. 

Government lawyers have flagged potential legal issues with the proposal.

Applicants for non-immigrant visas, including tourist visas, currently pay a $185 processing fee. The proposed $1,000 premium option would grant select applicants quicker access to interview appointments, effectively allowing them to bypass standard wait times.

A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the internal discussions but said, “The department’s scheduling of non-immigrant visa interview appointments is dynamic and we are continually working to improve our operations worldwide.”

President Donald Trump has maintained a hardline stance on immigration since returning to office in January. His administration has revoked certain student visas and heightened scrutiny across visa categories.

In the 2023 fiscal year, the State Department issued 10.4 million non-immigrant visas, of which 5.9 million were for tourism, according to its latest annual report.

The World Travel and Tourism Council warned in May that international travel spending in the US is projected to decline by around 7% in 2025. 

Analysts attribute the drop to growing resistance to Trump’s policies and the impact of a strong US dollar, which is encouraging travellers to choose alternative destinations.