Trump's Costly Visa Fast-Track Plan: US$1,000 Fee Proposed to Skip the Line, but State Department Lawyers Cite Supreme Court Concerns

WASHINGTON, June 5 — The Trump administration is weighing a proposal to charge a US$1,000 fee for tourists and other non-immigrant visa applicants who want to secure an expedited interview appointment, according to a U.S. official and an internal State Department memo. However, government lawyers have raised legal concerns about the plan.

Currently, individuals applying for tourist and other non-immigrant visas pay a US$185 (RM785) processing fee. The proposed US$1,000 charge would be for a premium service that allows certain applicants to move to the front of the line for visa interviews.

According to the memo reviewed by Reuters, the programme could be rolled out as a pilot as early as December.

This proposed fast-track fee, which has not been publicly reported until now, aligns with President Donald Trump’s broader push for immigration reform, including a “gold card” initiative that would offer U.S. citizenship for US$5 million, accelerating the process for those who can afford it.

However, the State Department’s legal team warned that the plan faces “high risk” of being blocked by the White House budget office or struck down by U.S. courts. The memo noted that setting a fee higher than the cost of the service violates established Supreme Court precedent.

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

Since taking office on January 20, Trump has taken a tough stance on immigration, including revoking some student visas and tightening scrutiny for all visa applicants.

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

The World Travel and Tourism Council forecast in May that international travel spending in the U.S. will drop by about 7 per cent in 2025, as a strong dollar and backlash against Trump’s policies drive tourists to other destinations. — Reuters