Has US dropped visa bond rules ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026?
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The USA usually keeps strict visa restrictions.
The Trump administration is lifting a usual requirement. Foreign guests who normally pay up to $15,000 in bonds if verified as FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket holders are exempt from such rules. The State Department told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
USA to lift visa bond rules ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
As part of the Republican administration’s broader immigration crackdown, the agency implemented the bond requirement last year. It is for nations that are claimed to have high rates of visa overstays and other security concerns.
“The United States is excited to organize the biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history,” Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, Mora Namdar said.
“We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets” and opted in to the FIFA Pass system that allows expedited visa appointments as of April 15.
Which nations will have to pay a visa bond?
Five of the 50 nations that must pay the new bond to enter the United States are Algeria, Cape Verde, the Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia.
The requirement for a visa bond no longer applies to citizens of those five nations who have purchased the FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets. As part of the administration’s directives to expedite the processing of tournament visas, FIFA World Cup team members, coaches, and some employees were already excluded from the bond requirement.
The waiver, which is a rare relaxation of immigration regulations under the administration, will make it easier for at least some travellers to the United States for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is co-hosted with Canada, and Mexico and starts on June 11.
Critics claim that the administration’s drastic immigration restrictions are at odds with the kind of unifying message that international athletic events like the FIFA World Cup 2026 are meant to convey.
For example, although World Cup players, coaches, and other support staff are exempt, the administration has prohibited travellers from Iran and Haiti. An enhanced version of the travel ban imposes some limitations on visitors from Senegal and the Ivory Coast, two countries that qualify for the World Cup.
What are the rules for the USA visa bond?
Beginning in early 2026, applicants for B1/B2 (business/tourist) visas from more than 50 countries with high overstay rates must provide refundable bonds of $5,000 to $15,000 as part of a 12-month pilot program implemented by the U.S. Department of State.
Which nations will not have to pay the bond at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Fans from Algeria, Cape Verde, the Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia with the tickets.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.