The Trump administration has suspended a requirement that would have forced visitors from five World Cup-qualified African nations to pay a bond of up to $15,000 to enter the United States for the tournament. The waiver applies to fans holding valid World Cup tickets who opt into the Fifa Pass system for expedited visa appointments.
Background on the Bond Requirement
The US State Department imposed the bond requirement last year for countries with high rates of visa overstays and security concerns, as part of a broader immigration crackdown. Travelers from 50 countries are subject to the bond, and five of those—Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Tunisia—qualified for the World Cup. The bonds range from $5,000 to $15,000 and are refunded if travelers comply with visa terms or if their application is denied.
Waiver Details
Mora Namdar, the assistant secretary of state for consular affairs, announced the waiver on Wednesday. “We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets,” she said. The waiver is a rare loosening of immigration rules under the administration and will ease travel for some visitors to the World Cup, which begins June 11 and is co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Previously, team players, coaches, and staff were exempt from the bond requirement, but ordinary fans with confirmed tickets were not. The waiver does not affect other immigration restrictions, such as travel bans on Iran and Haiti, though players and coaches from those countries are exempt.
Broader Immigration Context
The administration has taken dramatic steps to restrict immigration, drawing criticism from human rights groups. Amnesty International issued a World Cup travel advisory warning about the climate in the US. Additionally, the American Hotel + Lodging Association reported that visa barriers have suppressed international demand, leading to lower-than-expected hotel bookings for the tournament.
As of early April, the number of affected fans was small—around 250 people—but that number is changing as ticket sales increase. Fifa requested the waiver, and it was discussed in multiple Washington meetings over several months.
