Trump Administration Waives Visa Bonds for World Cup Fans from Five African Qualifying Nations

The Trump administration announced on Wednesday that it will suspend the visa bond requirement for foreign visitors from World Cup qualifying countries who have purchased tickets. The waiver applies to citizens from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia who have purchased FIFA World Cup tickets. The visa bond amounts required were $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000.

The bond requirement was imposed last year for travelers from 50 countries with high visa overstay rates and security issues. Five of the 50 countries subject to the bond requirement qualified for the 2026 World Cup: Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Tunisia. World Cup team players, coaches and some staff were already exempt from the bond requirement.

The State Department opted into FIFA’s pass system for expedited visa appointments. S. visitor visa.

Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar stated: “The United States is excited to organize the biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history. ” The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on June 11 and is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The vast majority of games will take place in the United States.

President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino met during a FIFA task force meeting in the East Room of the White House on May 6, 2025. President Donald Trump presented FIFA President Gianni Infantino with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize at the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

As of early April, the number of World Cup fans affected by the bond requirement was believed to be roughly 250 people.

FIFA requested the waiver, which required approval by the State Department and Department of Homeland Security. The waiver was the topic of discussion at multiple meetings at the White House and elsewhere in Washington for several months. Every visa applicant must still complete a rigorous screening and vetting process before a visa is issued.

The bond is refunded if the traveler complies with the terms of the visa or if the visa application is denied. The State Department announced a program last year requiring foreigners from some countries to pay bonds to guarantee they will not overstay their visas.

The Trump administration introduced a policy last year requiring travelers from a dozen countries including Cambodia, Ethiopia, Mongolia, Nicaragua and Tunisia to post visa bonds of up to $15,000.

U.S. for business or pleasure from countries with high visa overstay rates where screening and vetting information is deemed deficient. The bond suspension is one of multiple programs enacted or announced by the Trump administration that could impact World Cup attendees.

U.S. visas. Customs and Border Protection proposed last year a requirement for international visitors using the Visa Waiver Program to submit to extensive social media and personal data screenings.

The article by Seung Min Kim and Matthew Lee was updated on May 13, 2026. Antonio Pequeño IV reported the story for Forbes on May 13, 2026. The announcement was made on Wednesday, which corresponds to May 13, 2026.