U.S. visa paid expedited interviews: pay an extra US$750 and, if slots are available, move your interview to within 10 business days (for people applying in Canada)

1. First, a few terms

B1/B2 visitor visas. The U.S. visa appointment website for Canada puts it this way: B visas are for people going to the U.S. for a short time. B1 is for business trips, for example attending meetings or professional conferences; B2 is for tourism, vacations, visiting family and medical treatment; B1/B2 combines both in one visa. These visas are for short visits, and one stay is generally six months at most. How long the visa itself is valid is a separate matter; how long you can stay on each trip is decided by the U.S. entry officer on the spot.

MRV application fee. This is the regular U.S. nonimmigrant visa application fee, known as the MRV (machine-readable visa) fee. For B visas it is US$185. This money is the "sign-up fee" for applying for a visa: you have to pay it whether or not you end up getting a visa, and it is not refunded.

Interview. Going to a U.S. embassy or consulate and answering a consular officer's questions in person. Applying for a B visa generally requires an interview; the appointment website says that only a few cases can skip the interview.

Paid Expedite. This is the main subject of this guide. Its official name is the "Nonimmigrant Visa Appointment Expedite Fee". You have already booked a regular interview, and when expedited slots are available, you pay an extra US$750 for an interview slot within 10 business days. Some people online call it a "line-jumping fee". It only brings the interview date forward; the processing after the interview is not any faster.

Emergency appointment. Another route that already existed before, with no expedite fee. If something urgent and unexpected happens, such as a funeral or urgent medical treatment, you can ask for an earlier interview, but you have to explain why and provide proof, and the consulate decides whether to approve it. Section 9 explains this in detail.

Interview waiver. Some people renewing a visa do not need an interview; they just mail or drop off their documents. People who use this route have no interview, so they cannot use the paid expedite either (section 7).

Business day. A day when the embassy and consulates are open. Saturdays and Sundays do not count, and neither do the embassy's and consulates' holidays. So "10 business days" is about two weeks on the calendar, and a little longer if there is a holiday.

2. What this paid expedite is: how much, when it is available and what it covers

Where the official rule is. On June 9, 2026, the U.S. Department of State published an "interim final rule" in the Federal Register (the U.S. government's official publication for regulations), document number 2026-11513. This rule is already in effect; it is not a draft for public comment.

How much. US$750 per person. The rule says it is charged "per person". This money is paid on top of the regular US$185 application fee; it does not replace it.

How long it lasts. The rule says it is in effect from July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026. The rule says this is a pilot to see how many people are willing to pay to get an interview sooner; after the pilot ends, the Department of State will look at the data and then decide whether to continue and how much to charge. So no one can say right now whether it will still exist in 2027.

B visas only. The rule clearly says it is only for B1/B2 visitor visa applicants. Student visas, work visas and immigrant visas cannot use it.

Only available in some places. The rule says it is only offered at some embassies and consulates announced by the Department of State, and the number of slots is limited. The U.S. visa appointment website for Canada posted an announcement about this pilot on August 18, 2026, and the website's frequently asked questions also include a full set of questions and answers on the paid expedite. This time we could not read the original list on the Department of State's pilot page; search result summaries show that the page lists the U.S. Embassy and all consulates in Canada, starting August 18, 2026.

What it can do. It gives you an interview slot within 10 business days after you pay, as long as expedited slots are still available on those days. The rule says expedited slots only make up a certain share of the total interviews at an embassy or consulate, so people waiting in the regular line will not have to wait noticeably longer.

What it cannot do. Both the rule and the appointment website say this clearly:

• it does not guarantee a visa;
• it does not speed up the processing after the interview, including "administrative processing" (when the consular officer needs to check further, which can take a long time);
• none of the visa requirements are dropped: even if you pay, you still have to meet the requirements for a B visa.

Why it is being offered. The rule says that around the world, the median wait for a regular interview is about 30 days, but at some embassies and consulates the wait is more than 12 months; big events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games mean more people need to go to the U.S. at short notice, so a paid expedite is being tried out.

3. First check whether you need a U.S. visa: Canadian citizens generally do not

Canadian citizens. According to the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada, Canadian citizens travelling directly from Canada to the U.S. for tourism, family visits or study generally do not need a visa. The Government of Canada's travel page for the United States also says that in most cases Canadian citizens do not need a visa to travel to the U.S. for tourism, business or transit, and can usually stay up to six months at a time. So people with a Canadian passport generally have no use for this US$750. If you fly to the U.S., bring your Canadian passport.

Permanent residents of Canada (PR). The Government of Canada's travel page for the United States says that permanent residents of Canada may need a U.S. nonimmigrant visa to travel to the U.S., and must also bring a valid passport from their country of citizenship. The PR card itself does not let you travel to the U.S. without a visa; whether you need a visa depends on your nationality.

For example: you hold a Chinese passport, you are a permanent resident of Canada living in Victoria, and you want to go to a hospital in Seattle for treatment. Chinese passport holders need a visa to go to the U.S., and medical treatment falls under B2, so you need a B visa. If the regular interview date is too far away, you can consider this paid expedite, or first check whether you qualify for the free emergency appointment in section 9.

People living in Canada on a work permit or study permit. The U.S. rule is that you apply for a nonimmigrant visa interview in your country of nationality or the country where you live. If you live in Canada, you can apply in Canada. The appointment website requires you to bring "a copy of proof of your legal status in Canada" to the interview, such as a work permit or study permit. Officials have not made clear what counts as "living in Canada"; if you are not sure, ask customer service first (section 12).

People who do not live in Canada. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada state that applicants who do not live in Canada have to wait about 600 calendar days for an interview appointment. Also, the visa fee can only be used in the country where it was paid; it cannot be transferred to another country and is not refunded. So do not come to Canada just to book an interview, and do not cancel an appointment you already have elsewhere before you have checked.

Protected persons and people with a Canadian refugee travel document. This time we did not find an official statement on whether the U.S. recognizes the Canadian refugee travel document, or whether a U.S. visa can be placed in it. Before you act, call the appointment website's customer service first to ask.

People of some nationalities are now restricted by a U.S. presidential proclamation. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada and the Government of Canada both warn that U.S. Presidential Proclamation 10998 has, since January 1, 2026, suspended or limited entry and visa issuance for people from 39 countries. People affected by this proclamation can still apply and attend an interview, but they may not get a visa. In other words, even if you pay US$750 to expedite and your interview is brought forward, you may still be refused a visa. First check whether your nationality is on the list. The Government of Canada page states that Canadian citizens travelling on a Canadian passport (including dual citizens) are not affected by this restriction.

People who already have a valid U.S. visa. There is no need to buy an expedite "just in case". People with a Chinese passport and a ten-year B visa also need to check their EVUS (Electronic Visa Update System) enrollment before they travel; that is a separate matter (see Guide No. 14, Going to the U.S.).

Related: for passports, EVUS, entry registration and what you need when returning to Canada, see Guide No. 14, Going to the U.S.; if you have just landed and are still getting your PR card and other documents, see Guide No. 2, First 90 days.

People with a Canadian refugee travel document are still not Canadian citizens, even if they have a PR card, so the visa exemption for Canadian citizens does not apply; for short trips for tourism or family visits, they generally need a U.S. visitor visa (B1/B2). Whether a U.S. visa can be placed in a refugee travel document, and what visa is needed to change planes in the U.S. on the way to another country, were not confirmed from official sources this time either; before you act, ask the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada, the appointment website's customer service and your airline.

4. Where to go for an interview in Canada

Where you can book a nonimmigrant visa interview. The U.S. visa appointment website for Canada lists 7 locations:

• Ottawa (U.S. Embassy)
• Calgary
• Halifax
• Montréal
• Québec City
• Toronto
• Vancouver

The appointments page of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada says that the Montréal consulate currently handles nonimmigrant visas "for urgent cases only". Winnipeg has a consulate, but it is not among the interview locations on the appointment website.

People living in Victoria. The nearest is the Vancouver consulate, at 1075 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 2M6, phone 604-685-4311. To get there from Victoria, you have to take a ferry or a plane. A paid expedite interview is within 10 business days, and once you choose a date you cannot change it (section 8), so before choosing a date, think about whether you can get across to Vancouver that day and what time you can arrive.

Whether a city has expedited slots depends on the system. Officials do not publish how many expedited slots each city has each day. Only after you choose an interview city on the appointment website will the system show whether paid expedite slots are available there.

Entering the building. The appointment website states that people without an appointment cannot enter the consular section, and everyone must go through security screening. Generally only the applicant can go in; minor children can be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

5. How much it costs in total

All amounts are in U.S. dollars, not Canadian dollars.

Look at these separately:

• US$185. The application fee for a B visa (business, tourism, medical treatment) in the fee table on the U.S. visa appointment website for Canada. Once paid, it is valid for 365 days, and you need to book your interview within that year; the interview date itself can be more than a year later.
• US$750. Only for people who choose the paid expedite themselves. If you do not choose it, you do not pay it.
• Visa Integrity Fee. A U.S. law passed in 2025 (Public Law 119-21, section 100007) requires people who are issued a nonimmigrant visa to pay a separate "Visa Integrity Fee" when the visa is issued, starting at no less than US$250 and adjusted each year for inflation after that, and it cannot be waived; the law also says that after the visa expires, DHS may refund this money to people who complied with the visa conditions and left the U.S. on time. But as of November 3, 2026, the fee page on the U.S. visa appointment website for Canada does not list this fee; in July 2025, DHS said in the Federal Register that this fee would be announced separately after coordination among several agencies. This time we did not find any official announcement of exactly when it will start being charged or how.
• Passport delivery to your home. The appointment website for Canada says that the usual way is to pick up your passport yourself at a designated Canada Post location; if you want it delivered to your home or workplace, you have to buy this service separately, it only delivers within Canada, and it is not refunded once bought. The website does not give the price; go by what the system shows.
• Some nationalities also pay a "reciprocity fee". The appointment website says that depending on your nationality and visa type, you may also have to pay a reciprocity fee when the visa is issued. A reciprocity fee means: whatever your country charges Americans for a visa, the U.S. charges you about the same. Whether you have to pay depends on the Department of State's reciprocity fee table by country (we could not read the original text this time).
• People with a Chinese passport and a ten-year visa also pay an EVUS enrollment fee. That is a separate matter (see Guide No. 14, Going to the U.S.).

Working it out (counting only the US$185 and the US$750):

• One person, new application, choosing the paid expedite: 185 + 750 = US$935.
• Two people who both need visas and both choose the expedite: 935 × 2 = US$1,870.
• Three people who all need visas and all choose the expedite: 935 × 3 = US$2,805.
• You have already paid the US$185, the receipt has not expired, and you have already booked a regular interview: you only need to pay another US$750; you do not need to pay the US$185 again.

Not everyone in a family has to pay. The expedite fee is charged per person, not once per family. For example, you and your spouse have Chinese passports, and your child is a Canadian citizen. Your child generally does not need a visa to visit the U.S. as a tourist, so the child pays neither the US$185 nor the US$750; only you and your spouse need to be counted.

Do not treat US$935 as the whole cost. Travel and accommodation to and from Vancouver, any reciprocity fee, the Visa Integrity Fee and the passport delivery fee all have to be added separately. A service fee charged by an agent is not money collected by the government either.

6. First complete a regular booking: the paid expedite only becomes available after that

The paid expedite is not a separate place to sign up. The rule says: you first need to complete the DS-160, pay the US$185 application fee and book a regular interview, and only then can you choose the expedite in your account. The order is:

Step 1: Fill out the DS-160 form online. The DS-160 is the online application form for U.S. nonimmigrant visas, and it can only be filled out on the U.S. Department of State's Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website. After you submit it, write down the confirmation number (the string that starts with AA) and save the confirmation page.

Step 2: Open an account on the U.S. visa appointment website for Canada. The address is ais.usvisa-info.com; once there, choose Canada. If it is your first time, choose "Apply"; if you have opened an account before, choose "Continue" to sign in.

Step 3: Enter the applicant's details and the DS-160 confirmation number. The appointment website states that the confirmation number must be entered completely and correctly, and that the passport number, date of birth, visa type and name in the account must be exactly the same as on the DS-160; if they do not match, you cannot go any further.

Step 4: Choose where your passport will be sent back. First choose a post office where you will pick up your passport. If you want it delivered to your home or workplace, buy that separately after you have booked your interview (section 5).

Step 5: Pay the US$185 application fee. The U.S. visa appointment website for Canada lists two ways to pay: cash, or online by Visa or MasterCard credit card. The appointment website says that, except for card payments, no payment method takes effect right away; if you pay in cash, it can take up to 2 business days to show in the system, and you can only book an interview after it shows. If you are in a hurry, count these 2 days as well. If the web page shows an error while you are paying and you are not sure whether the payment went through, do not pay again; first email customer service to ask (section 12). Duplicate payments are not refunded.

Step 6: Book a regular interview. First book the earliest regular slot you can get.

Step 7: Check when your receipt expires. Sign in to your account, click "Continue" and choose "Payment Receipt"; the expiry date of each applicant's receipt is shown there.

If you have already booked a regular interview. You do not need to open a new account, and do not pay the application fee again just to find the expedite button. Simply sign in to your existing account and see section 7.

One place where things often go wrong: a DS-160 number that does not match. The appointment website states that the number on the DS-160 confirmation page you bring on interview day must be the same as the one entered in your account. If you entered the wrong number, you must correct it no later than 3 business days before the interview; otherwise you will not be let in and will have to book again, and if your receipt has expired, you will also have to pay the application fee again. A paid expedite interview may be only a few days away, which may not leave time to correct it, so before paying the US$750, check your DS-160 number once more. To change the number in your account: after signing in, on the "Applicant Summary" page, click the gear icon, choose "Edit", change the "DS-160 Number" and click "Save". You do not need to cancel your existing appointment to make the change, but after you have paid the fee, this number can only be changed once, so make sure it is right before you change it.

7. How to find "Paid Expedite" on the appointment website

Who can see this option. The appointment website says you must meet all three of these conditions:

• you are applying for a visitor visa (B visa);
• you have already booked an interview that has not yet taken place;
• you are applying in your country of nationality or country of residence.

In addition, the country where you book your interview must offer this service, and expedited slots must still be available on those days.

Where to click. The path given on the appointment website is:

1. Sign in to your account;
2. Click "Continue";
3. Choose "Request Expedite";
4. Choose "Paid Expedite".

The system will then show the expedited slots still available over the next 10 business days. The web pages may look different in the future; follow the instructions in your account.

Once you choose a slot, pay right away. The rule in the Federal Register says: when you select an expedited slot, the system will hold it for you for 5 to 10 minutes, and you pay the US$750 online during that time. If you do not finish paying in time, the slot is released to others and you go back to your original regular interview. So before you start clicking, have your credit card ready. The official pages do not say which cards can be used; go by what the system shows.

After paying, make sure you see the confirmation page. Do not assume you are booked just because you got a text message about the charge to your credit card. You need to see the new interview confirmation page in the system and check each item: everyone's name, the number of people, the city, the date and the time. Save the confirmation page; you also need to bring it on interview day.

If several people booked together. The appointment website states that each person in a group has to pay their own expedite fee. If you only want to expedite some of them, the system will let you split the group. Think before splitting: after the split, the others keep the original date and may no longer have their interview on the same day. In Canada, a group can have at most 10 people.

If you cannot see the "Paid Expedite" option, it may be for one of these reasons:

• you are not applying for a B visa;
• you have not booked a regular interview yet, or your original interview date has already passed;
• you are renewing without an interview (interview waiver). The appointment website states that only people with a booked interview can pay the expedite fee, and people without an interview cannot pay to speed things up;
• expedited slots for those days have run out;
• you are not applying in your country of nationality or country of residence.

If the option does not appear, there is no other way to get it: no one can sell you a slot privately (section 11).

Do not keep refreshing. The appointment website states that there is no limit on how many times you can sign in to check, but refreshing over and over for a long time may get your account suspended; using bots or scripts, or signing in on several computers at the same time, violates the website's terms of use.

If you first want to see whether a regular interview can be moved earlier. The appointment website says: if you have already booked an interview, you can sign in, click "Continue" and choose "Reschedule Appointment", and the calendar will show the regular slots still available; if you do not want to change, click "Close". If your US$185 receipt has not expired, rescheduling a regular appointment within Canada costs nothing extra, and sometimes you may find an earlier slot; after the receipt expires, if you reschedule or cancel, the system will ask you to pay the application fee again.

8. Think it through before you pay: no refunds, no rescheduling

The US$750 is not refunded and cannot be transferred to anyone else. The appointment website says "non-refundable and non-transferable".

Not refunded even if your visa is refused. The appointment website states that the paid expedite only gives you an earlier interview and does not guarantee a visa; if you are refused, the expedite fee is still not refunded. The US$185 application fee is not refunded either.

Once booked, you cannot change the date. A paid expedite interview can only be booked once and cannot be rescheduled. So be sure to choose a date and time you can definitely make.

If you cancel it yourself or do not attend the interview: the US$750 is lost. If you want to book an expedite again, you have to pay another US$750.

Can the US$185 application fee still be used? The appointment website says:

• if you cancel your paid expedite interview yourself: as long as you paid the US$185 application fee less than a year ago, you can reschedule to a regular slot without paying again;
• if you miss your paid expedite interview: as long as you paid the US$185 application fee less than a year ago, you "may" be able to reschedule to a regular slot.

If your application fee was paid more than a year ago and has expired, neither of these applies, and you have to pay the application fee again to continue.

In both cases, you can also pay another US$750 to buy a new expedited slot.

What to do if you miss your interview. The appointment website states: sign in, click "Continue", choose "Missed My Appointment" and follow the instructions; you have to wait 24 hours before you can ask to reschedule.

Ask yourself these questions before you pay:

• Do I really need to apply for a B visa?
• Within these 10 business days, can I definitely get to Vancouver (or another city) on the day I choose?
• Do my DS-160 number and passport details all match?
• Even if my visa is refused, or I have to wait a long time after the interview, can I accept losing this US$750?

9. If you really have an emergency: first look at the free emergency appointment

Besides the paid expedite, there has long been an "emergency appointment" route, which does not charge the US$750.

When you can apply. The examples given on the appointment website are sudden, unexpected emergencies: a funeral, urgent medical treatment, or the start date of school. The rule also says that embassies and consulates may arrange an earlier interview free of charge for specific humanitarian reasons, or for urgent travel that is in the U.S. national interest, for example needing to go to the U.S. to treat a serious and urgent illness. The consular section decides whether to approve it.

How to apply. The order given on the appointment website:

1. First complete the DS-160, pay the US$185 application fee and book the earliest regular interview you can get;
2. Sign in to your account, click "Continue", choose "Request Expedite" and write your reason following the instructions;
3. Provide documents that show why you urgently need to travel. Officials do not list which specific documents are needed; prepare them according to your emergency, for example a letter from your doctor if it is for medical treatment.

Note: both routes start from "Request Expedite". If you are making an emergency request, once you are in, fill in your reason and provide proof following the instructions, and do not click "Paid Expedite".

How long it takes. The appointment website says there are many emergency requests, and they are reviewed one by one according to the consular staff available. If you never hear back, go on your original regular interview date. If you are refused, a very small number of consular sections let you apply once more; sign in to your account to see whether this option is there. If an emergency interview is approved, try hard to attend, because there are very few such slots; if you really cannot go, you can cancel and then rebook from the slots available.

If your emergency request is refused, can you still pay to expedite? Yes. The appointment website states that people whose emergency visitor appointment request was refused can still pay the expedite fee if they meet the requirements.

An example: going to Seattle for medical treatment. You hold a Chinese passport and are a permanent resident of Canada; your doctor recommends treatment at a hospital in Seattle, and your regular interview is several months away:

• First book a regular interview, then try an emergency request, with your doctor's letter attached. If the treatment is urgent and you have proof, you may get an earlier interview for free;
• If the emergency request is refused, or you cannot wait for an answer, and you really do need to go soon, then consider paying the US$750 expedite;
• For the interview, the appointment website says people seeking medical treatment should prepare: a diagnosis from a local doctor explaining why you need treatment in the U.S.; a letter from a U.S. doctor or hospital saying they are willing to treat you, with the approximate length and cost; and proof of who will pay for travel, medical and living expenses, such as bank statements or tax returns.

10. What to bring on interview day, and how to get your passport back afterwards

What everyone has to bring (listed on the appointment website):

• your current passport, valid for at least six months beyond your stay in the U.S. (some countries have agreements that exempt them from this);
• your old passport with your previous U.S. visa (if you have one);
• the DS-160 confirmation page;
• the "Confirmation and Instructions" page printed from the appointment website;
• one 5 × 5 cm colour photo taken within the last six months;
• a copy of proof of your legal status in Canada, such as your PR card, work permit or study permit.

If you attend the interview in person, bring the originals.

What may also be needed. The appointment website says the consular officer may want to see: the purpose of the trip, that you will definitely come back afterwards, and whether you have enough money to pay for the trip. Proof of employment and family in Canada are the kinds of documents that can show you will come back. If someone else is paying for your trip, bring proof from that person.

If you do not speak English. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada say that people who do not speak English can bring an interpreter; there are also staff who can interpret languages commonly used in Canada (they do not say which languages).

After the interview. The paid expedite only brings the interview forward; after the interview, everything is the same as a regular application:

• if you receive a 221(g) letter, it means you need to provide more documents or your case needs "administrative processing"; the letter explains what to do, and you generally do not need to pay the application fee again;
• if you receive a 214(b) letter, it means you did not meet the requirements this time and were refused. To apply again, you have to fill out the form again, pay the application fee again and book an interview again;
• you can check your case status on the Department of State's CEAC website.

How to get your passport back. The appointment website says: once the consular section hands your passport to the courier, it can take up to 3 business days before you can pick it up or it is delivered; to pick it up, bring three things: proof of address; photo identification, such as a Canadian or U.S. driver's licence; and the courier tracking number (shown on the appointment website and in the email telling you the passport has been sent). If you do not pick it up within 15 days, the passport is returned to the consular section. The appointment website also states that once the passport has been handed to the courier, its return cannot be expedited.

The "enhanced passback options" in the rule. The Federal Register rule says that people who pay the expedite fee can also use better ways of getting their passport back, "if available". The appointment website for Canada does not say whether this is offered in Canada, and we did not confirm it this time. Go by what the system shows.

Before you have your visa, do not buy plane tickets or lock in your travel plans. The appointment website states: do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until the visa has been issued. Getting a visa also does not mean you will definitely be let into the U.S.; the appointment website states that DHS can refuse you entry and can also limit how long you stay.

11. Watch out for "guaranteed approval", "slot-grabbing" and agent scams

No one can be faster than the appointment website. The frequently asked questions on the U.S. visa appointment website for Canada include these questions, with very direct answers:

• Can other companies, websites or individuals book an interview faster than this website? Answer: No. All companies and individuals have to use this website to book interviews, and no one has priority. Anyone who says they can guarantee faster Department of State visa services is running a scam.
• What if you pay more? Answer: No one has priority; such claims are scams.
• Can anyone guarantee that you will get a visa? Answer: No; such claims are scams.

The US$750 paid expedite fee can only be paid to the system in your own appointment account. If someone says that paying them will let you jump the line or guarantee approval, stop right there.

If an agent books your interview, the DS-160 number must match. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada specifically warn that some travel agencies or agents book interview slots first and fill out the form afterwards, so the numbers do not match; on interview day the applicant cannot get in and may have to pay the visa fee again. Whether or not you use an agent, you are responsible for the information you submit at the interview.

Do not use "slot-grabbing software". The appointment website prohibits bots and scripts, and refreshing over and over for a long time may get your account suspended (section 7).

If you want to ask a lawyer about your own situation:

• U.S. visas are a matter of U.S. law. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) states that a lawyer who can represent you before USCIS must be a member in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state (or territory, or the District of Columbia) and must not be suspended. Before hiring a lawyer, first ask them to show you their current licence, then check with the lawyer licensing agency of the state where they are registered. USCIS also warns that in the U.S., a "notario" (notary public) is not a lawyer and cannot represent you in immigration matters.
• For legal questions related to your status in Canada (for example, whether your status in Canada could be affected), see a lawyer licensed in B.C. The Law Society of British Columbia's lawyer directory lets you check whether a lawyer is licensed in B.C., whether they can currently practise, and whether they have any disciplinary record.

12. Who to ask if you have questions

The customer service centre of the U.S. visa appointment website for Canada.

• English service: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time. In B.C. time: from now until March 13, 2027, that is 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; from March 14, 2027, when the U.S. East moves to daylight saving time under the current rules, it is 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. (From November 1, 2026, B.C. no longer turns its clocks back and stays on the same time all year, 7 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-7); the U.S. East still changes its clocks, so the difference is 2 hours in winter and 3 hours in summer.)
• French service: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time.
• Vancouver local number: 778-807-9660. Other cities: Calgary 587-315-9052, Halifax 902-702-0292, Montréal 438-793-1947, Ottawa 613-701-0404, Québec City 418-478-1369, Toronto 437-887-1448, Winnipeg 204-800-4091. From within the U.S.: +1-703-249-4646.
• Email: Canada.Visas@gdit-gss.com

What customer service can help with: telling you where to find visa information, the application process and how to pay the application fee; booking or rescheduling an interview for you over the phone; problems with payments or with courier delivery.

What customer service cannot help with: deciding which kind of visa you should apply for; filling out the DS-160 for you; deciding whether you are exempt from a visa; telling you the processing status after the interview (you can only check it yourself on the CEAC website).

On the phone, you can say: "Hi, I have a B1/B2 appointment scheduled at the Vancouver consulate. I'd like to know whether the Paid Expedite option is available in Canada right now, and why I can't see it in my account." (This asks whether the paid expedite is offered in Canada now and why the option does not appear in your account.)

To ask about a payment problem, you can write an email like this: "My payment page showed an error and I'm not sure whether my fee went through. Could you please confirm my payment status? My name is ___, and my DS-160 confirmation number is ___." (This asks customer service to check whether a payment that showed an error went through.)

Checking how long a regular interview takes now. The U.S. Department of State has a visa appointment wait times page; choose a city to see the wait. This time we could not read the original text of this page, so we did not find the actual number of days as of November 3.

Related: for how to find Canadian government phone numbers and what to prepare before calling, see Guide No. 7, Phone directory.

13. Checklist before you start

• I really do need to apply for a U.S. B visa (citizens with a Canadian passport generally do not).
• I am applying in my country of nationality or country of residence, and I can show proof of my legal status in Canada.
• My nationality is not restricted by U.S. Presidential Proclamation 10998, or I already know what the restriction means for me.
• My DS-160 has been submitted, its confirmation number is the same as in my appointment account, and my passport number, name and date of birth all match.
• The US$185 application fee has been paid (cash takes up to 2 business days to take effect), and the receipt has not expired.
• I have already booked a regular interview that has not yet taken place.
• If I really have an emergency, I have tried the free emergency request first.
• I can see "Paid Expedite" in my account, and there is a date I can make.
• On the day I chose, I can definitely get to Vancouver (or another city) in time.
• My credit card is ready, and I can finish paying within 5 to 10 minutes.
• I accept that the US$750 is not refunded, the interview cannot be rescheduled, a visa is not guaranteed, and I may still have to wait after the interview.
• After paying, I saw the new confirmation page in the system and saved it.
• Until I have my visa, I will not buy plane tickets or make travel arrangements that cannot be refunded.

Related guides

• → No. 14 · Going to the U.S.
  Before a Canadian PR goes to the U.S.: passports and visas, EVUS for people with a Chinese passport and a 10-year U.S. visa, checking your I-94 after you enter, registration if you stay 30 days or longer, and declaring everything truthfully when you return to Canada.
• → No. 2 · First 90 days
  What to do first after you land: SIN, MSP, a bank account and a phone number; switching your driver's licence and enrolling children in school; the Canada child benefit, a CRA account and your first tax return; and a final check by status.
• → No. 7 · Phone directory
  How to find and call Government of Canada phone lines, what to prepare before you call and what to do if you cannot get through: the CRA, Service Canada, IRCC immigration and Canadian passport lines, and more.

Main official links in this guide

These are the official pages used most in this guide. The full text of Federal Register rule 2026-11513, the U.S. visa appointment website for Canada, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada, the Government of Canada travel page for the United States, the text of the U.S. law passed by Congress, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security notice in the Federal Register, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Law Society of British Columbia and the Province of B.C. were all opened and read on November 3, 2026. This time we could not read the original text of anything on the U.S. Department of State website, travel.state.gov (the site blocked automated access), so the pilot page, the visa appointment wait times page, the page explaining Presidential Proclamation 10998 and the reciprocity fee table by country are all marked "could not read the original text this time" in this guide; the list of places taking part in the pilot comes only from search result summaries. We also could not read the security and holiday information of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada this time, so this guide does not give security details or specific holiday dates. Other links are at the end of each section.