The United States government on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, announced a relaxation of its visa bond policy for certain football fans and participants travelling for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The decision exempts some visitors from a controversial visa requirement introduced under President Donald Trump as part of broader immigration enforcement measures.
Under the policy, visa applicants from about 50 developing countries were required to deposit between $5,000 and $15,000 before obtaining a US visa. The amount would only be refunded after the visitor returned to their home country.
However, the US State Department said the bond requirement would now be waived for players, officials and team personnel participating in the World Cup. Fans from participating countries who already possess match tickets and are enrolled in a priority visa processing system will also benefit from the exemption.
“We remain committed to strengthening US national security priorities while facilitating legitimate travel for the upcoming World Cup tournament,” Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, Mora Namdar, said on Wednesday.
Namdar added that the Trump administration was determined to deliver the “biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history.”
In a statement, FIFA welcomed the development, describing it as evidence of growing cooperation between football authorities and the US government ahead of the tournament.
“Today’s announcement from the US State Department further demonstrates our ongoing collaboration with the US Government and the White House Task Force for the FIFA World Cup to deliver a successful, record breaking and unforgettable global event,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
Five countries that have already qualified for the World Cup, Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia, are among nations affected by the visa bond policy.
The report also noted that Haiti and Iran, two other qualified nations, are facing severe US travel restrictions under the Trump administration.
According to a study by the Mendoza Law Firm, Haiti may struggle to send supporters to the tournament because of the stringent entry rules. The study added that in some affected countries, the $15,000 visa bond is equivalent to nearly three years of average income.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11 and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
AFP
