LOS ANGELES:- The US Department of State is introducing a ‘premium’ expedited service for foreign nationals applying for business or tourist visas to come to the US. For this service, applicants will have to pay an additional US$750 in addition to the initial visa fee of US$185.
According to a notice published in the Federal Register today, the State Department is announcing a pilot project that will allow applicants to schedule an interview within 10 days of submitting an additional $750 application fee at certain U.S. embassies or consular offices. The pilot program will run from July 1 to December 31.
The move is seen as an attempt to ease some of the discomfort caused by the Trump administration’s crackdown on entry into the United States. The current administration has tightened restrictions on almost all forms of foreign immigration.
Citizens of some countries are required to pay a bond of up to $15,000 during visa processing, and a thorough check of applicants’ personal history, including years of social media accounts, is mandatory.