U.S. Opens Early Visa Interview Requests for Kenyan B-1/B-2 Applicants

U.S. visa guidance allows Kenyan nonimmigrant applicants to seek earlier interview slots when urgent circumstances qualify, but it does not establish when a new service began. The Nairobi process is discretionary, not a newly confirmed opening for all applicants.

A separate premium service is reported to start July 1, 2026, for eligible B-1 and B-2 applicants, with an additional $750 fee and a target interview appointment within 10 business days when slots are available. No official source confirms the service, and reports do not establish whether it covers Kenya or whether Nairobi participates.

The premium offer and the existing emergency-request process are not interchangeable. The service is described as available to eligible B-1 and B-2 applicants, but whether applicants in Kenya are covered is unresolved, and Nairobi is not identified as a participating post.

Nairobi considers emergencies, school deadlines and urgent visits

The embassy’s guidance concerns nonimmigrant appointments. It says circumstances can differ by country, and applicants see the local list when they submit a request. The categories below are examples, not a guarantee of approval.

• An applicant may request an earlier appointment following the death of an immediate family member (parent, child, or sibling) in the United States, or to obtain urgent medical treatment in the United States or serve as a medical escort for someone receiving treatment there.
• Students who risk losing a scholarship or missing the start of classes may qualify for an expedited appointment.
• Pilots and airline personnel traveling for training or aircraft-related duties; specialized technicians or engineers needed for critical equipment installation or servicing; senior executives or critical staff for companies with U.S. investments; and support for major entertainment productions depending on the applicant may qualify.
• Executives and professionals in sectors designated Critical Infrastructure by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and applicants required to appear in a U.S. court with written confirmation from the court, may also qualify.

Other circumstances may appear on the country-specific list. Applicants should check the circumstances shown in their Nairobi account rather than assume the examples above cover every case.

The guidance also refers to the timing of a regular appointment. An urgent reason alone does not bypass the request process. The B1/B2 interview wait time in Nairobi was 2.5 months in the July 21, 2026 update.

A request does not guarantee an earlier interview

The consular section decides whether to grant an expedite. Meeting a listed circumstance does not ensure an earlier interview, and an expedited interview does not guarantee visa approval.

Applicants still pay the regular visa application fee, which is non-refundable and non-transferable. Nairobi’s visitor-visa application fee is $185.

If an expedited request is denied, the decision is final and cannot be appealed.

Book the first available slot before requesting an expedite

Applicants seeking an earlier interview should complete these steps:

1. Submit the DS-160 and pay the required application fee.
2. Schedule a regular interview for the earliest available date.
3. Sign in to the Nairobi appointment account, choose “Continue,” then select “Request Expedite.”
4. Provide documents explaining the urgent circumstances.

Examples of supporting evidence include medical records, funeral details and proof of the family relationship, or school admission information showing the reporting date. These are examples, not a complete Nairobi document checklist.

Applicants seeking a J-1 appointment should also check the embassy’s visa navigator for program-specific instructions. The country-specific grounds displayed in the account should guide the request.