The United States government has announced a relaxation of its visa bond policy for certain fans and participants attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Under a policy introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration, visa applicants from 50 developing countries have been required to pay refundable bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 before obtaining a US […]
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The United States government has announced a relaxation of its visa bond policy for certain fans and participants attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Under a policy introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration, visa applicants from 50 developing countries have been required to pay refundable bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 before obtaining a US visa.
However, the US State Department said the bond requirement would now be waived for football team members participating in the tournament, as well as fans from competing countries who already possess match tickets and have enrolled in a priority visa processing system established for the World Cup.
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, Mora Namdar, said the administration remains committed to balancing national security with facilitating legitimate travel for the tournament.
She stated that the government intends to organise the “biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history.”
FIFA also welcomed the move, describing it as part of ongoing cooperation between football authorities and the US government to ensure a successful tournament.
Among countries affected by the visa bond policy are Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia, all of which have qualified for the World Cup.
At least two other qualified nations, Haiti and Iran, are reportedly facing stricter entry limitations into the United States under the Trump administration.
The administration has also expanded scrutiny for visitors from several allied countries by requiring applicants to provide access to their social media accounts for review during visa processing.
A report by the Mendoza Law Firm suggested that the high visa bond costs could significantly limit travel for supporters from lower-income countries, noting that in some qualifying nations, $15,000 represents nearly three years of average income.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to begin on June 11, will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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