The Trump administration announced the suspension of a bond requirement for foreign visitors from certain nations, allowing them to bypass the bonds—ranging from $5,000 to $15,000—if they hold confirmed tickets for the FIFA World Cup, according to a statement from the State Department to The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Last year, the State Department instituted the bond requirement for visitors from countries with high rates of visa overstays and other security concerns as part of a broader immigration crackdown. Travelers from 50 nations are subject to this bond, and among them, five countries have qualified for the World Cup: Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia.
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Holders of FIFA tickets from the five qualifying nations are now exempt from the visa bond requirement. Notably, players, coaches, and selected staff from World Cup teams have already been exempted from this bond as part of the administration’s initiative to expedite visa processing for the tournament.
“The United States is thrilled to host the biggest and best FIFA World Cup ever,” stated Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar. “We are excited to eliminate visa bonds for eligible fans who have secured World Cup tickets” and registered for the FIFA Pass system, which provides faster visa appointments starting April 15.
This waiver represents a rare relaxation of immigration policies under the current administration, alleviating some travel constraints for visitors attending the World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 and is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The administration has taken significant steps to tighten immigration regulations, actions that critics argue conflict with the inclusive spirit that global sporting events like the World Cup should embody.
For instance, while travelers from Iran and Haiti are barred entry, team personnel from those nations will still be allowed to participate. Also, travelers from World Cup-qualified nations like Ivory Coast and Senegal face partial restrictions due to an expanded travel ban.
Additionally, foreign travelers were at risk of new requirements to submit their social media histories, a policy by U.S. Customs and Border Protection that was yet to take effect. The administration had also deployed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at airports during a recent federal shutdown, when TSA employees were not receiving pay.
These measures led organizations like Amnesty International and various U.S. civil rights groups to issue a travel advisory for World Cup attendees, warning them about the current environment in the U.S.
A recent report from the primary advocacy group for U.S. hotels indicated that visa restrictions and geopolitical challenges have “significantly suppressed international demand,” resulting in lower-than-expected hotel bookings for the tournament.
The American Hotel & Lodging Association noted that travelers are worried about lengthy visa processing times and increased fees, along with uncertainty regarding their entry into the U.S.
The bond mandate is part of a broad initiative by the administration to control migration from individuals who visit the U.S. on temporary visas but later overstay. Application fees from the affected countries are set at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, refundable if applicants adhere to visa regulations or if their application is denied.
As of early April, it was estimated that only about 250 World Cup fans were affected by the bond requirement, according to U.S. officials who spoke anonymously. However, this number is rapidly changing as more fans purchase tickets, while some may choose not to travel.
FIFA had requested this waiver, needing approval from the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, and the matter was discussed in multiple meetings at the White House and across Washington over several months.