politics
Trump Administration Waives World Cup Visa Bond for Ticket Holders from High-Overstay Countries
The State Department confirmed Wednesday it is waiving bonds of up to $15,000 for foreign fans from 50 nations who have purchased tickets and joined the FIFA Pass system. The requirement, imposed last year on countries with high visa overstay rates, had affected an estimated 250 World Cup fans as of early April. The move comes after months of discussions following a formal request from FIFA.
May 13, 10:13 AM·2m read5 sources
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The IndependentAudio version
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The Trump administration is suspending a requirement that foreign visitors from certain countries pay as much as $15,000 in bonds if they are confirmed World Cup ticket holders. The State Department confirmed the suspension on Wednesday. The waiver applies to qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets and opted into the FIFA Pass system, which facilitates expedited visa appointments as of April 15.
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 FIFA World Cup begins on June 11. The 2026 tournament is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The bond requirement was implemented last year. It targeted countries with high rates of visa overstays and other security concerns. Travelers from 50 nations were subject to the new bond requirement.
Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Tunisia qualified for the World Cup and were among the 50 nations subject to the bond. Visa applicants from the affected countries were required to pay bonds of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000. The bonds would be refunded if the traveler adhered to visa terms or if the application was denied.
World Cup team players, coaches, and some staff were already exempt from the bond requirement. The exemption for players, coaches, and staff was part of orders to prioritize tournament visa processing. Ordinary fans with confirmed tickets had not been exempt from the bond requirement until this week.
As of early April, US officials estimated that the number of World Cup fans affected by the bond requirement was possibly around 250 people. The number of affected fans was rapidly changing as more tickets were purchased and some ticket holders opted against traveling. FIFA formally requested the waiver, which required approval from both the State Department and Department of Homeland Security.
