Washington, D.C., USA:  The Trump administration is preparing to introduce a new initiative aimed at reducing long waiting times for US visa interviews. As part of the proposal, the US government plans to launch a pilot program called "Premium Service," allowing eligible applicants to secure visa interview appointments more quickly by paying an additional fee.

According to a notice recently published by the US Department of State in the Federal Register, applicants seeking business and tourist visas will have the option to pay an extra $750 on top of the existing visa application fee.

Currently, applicants for business and tourist visas are required to pay a standard processing fee of $185. Under the proposed premium service, individuals who pay the additional fee may be able to schedule their visa interviews within 10 days at selected US embassies and consulates.

The pilot program is expected to operate from July 1 through December 31, although US authorities have not yet officially announced which embassies and consulates will participate. Further details are expected to be released before the program begins.

The premium service is initially planned as a six-month pilot project and could be extended depending on demand and operational requirements.

Since President Donald Trump returned to office, the United States has implemented stricter immigration and visa policies, including increased scrutiny of applications, higher processing costs, and enhanced social media screening measures. These changes have contributed to longer visa processing times in several countries, with applicants often waiting months for interview appointments.

Officials say the new premium service is intended to provide applicants with a faster scheduling option. However, paying the additional fee does not guarantee visa approval. The service only offers quicker access to an interview appointment, while final visa decisions will continue to be made through the standard evaluation process.