2025-06-05T04:11:12Z

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In an effort to streamline the visa application process for tourists and other non-immigrant visa applicants, the United States is considering a controversial proposal that would allow individuals to expedite their interviews by paying a significant fee. According to a US official and an internal memo from the State Department, the Trump administration is contemplating instituting a $1,000 fee aimed at facilitating faster access to visa interview appointments for certain applicants.

Currently, those applying for short-term visas to the United States, including tourists, are required to pay a standard processing fee of $185. The introduction of this new $1,000 option is intended to provide a premium service, enabling applicants to bypass the regular queue and secure quicker appointments for their visa interviews.

This proposed fee structure has emerged in conjunction with another initiative by former President Donald Trump, known as the gold card plan, which would allow individuals to obtain US citizenship for a hefty sum of $5 million, thus offering expedited access to those willing to pay a significant fee.

However, this new proposal has raised eyebrows amongst legal experts and government lawyers, who are cautioning that it may face potential legal hurdles. The internal memo reviewed by Reuters indicates that the program could potentially be launched on a pilot basis as early as December. Yet, the State Department’s legal team has expressed concerns about the high legal risk associated with the proposed fee. They suggest that it could be rejected by the White House budget office or overturned in a court ruling.

One of the main legal arguments against the proposal is based on established Supreme Court precedent, which states that setting a fee above the actual cost to provide the service is considered contrary to legal norms. This poses a significant challenge to the administration's plans.

In response to inquiries regarding the internal memo, a spokesperson from the State Department declined to comment specifically on internal documents and communications. However, they did emphasize that the scheduling of non-immigrant visa interview appointments is a dynamic process, stating, "We are continually working to improve our operations worldwide." This reflects an ongoing effort to enhance the efficiency of visa processing and address the needs of applicants.

Since taking office on January 20, 2017, former President Trump has implemented stringent measures aimed at curbing immigration. This includes revoking certain student visas and imposing heightened scrutiny on all visa applicants. According to the State Department’s most recent annual report, the agency issued approximately 10.4 million non-immigrant visas in the fiscal year 2023, which included around 5.9 million tourist visas.

In addition, recent analysis from the World Travel and Tourism Council predicted that international travel spending in the United States is likely to decline by about 7% in 2025. This downturn is expected to result from growing opposition to Trump’s immigration policies and a strong US dollar, which may lead foreign visitors to consider alternative destinations.