US waives visa bonds for eligible World Cup fans from 50 countries

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration will temporarily remove visa bond requirements for eligible World Cup ticket-holders from countries covered by a US travel deposit programme, a State Department official said on Wednesday.

Under the policy introduced last year, citizens of 50 countries have been required to pay deposits of between $5,000 and $15,000 to secure tourist visas for the United States. The money is refunded when the visitor leaves the country. Washington said the measure was aimed at preventing visa overstays.

Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said the bond requirement would now be lifted for qualifying football supporters attending this summer’s FIFA World Cup. “(The United States is) waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets and opted in to FIFA PASS as of April 15, 2026,” Namdar told Al Jazeera.

According to the official, the exemption will also cover eligible players, coaches and team staff from the countries affected by the bond rules.

Five countries subject to the visa bond requirement have qualified for the World Cup: Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia.

At the same time, other Trump administration restrictions remain in force for some countries. Citizens of Haiti and Iran are among those facing broader entry bans under US immigration directives.

“We remain committed to strengthening US national security priorities while facilitating legitimate travel for the upcoming World Cup tournament,” Namdar said in a statement.

FIFA PASS and tournament schedule

The FIFA World Cup will be staged in June and July across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament is set to begin on June 11 in Mexico, while the first match in the United States is scheduled for June 12 in Inglewood, California. The final is due to be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The United States launched the FIFA PASS system in January to accelerate visa processing for ticket-holders. Fans from countries covered by the bond programme had to register through FIFA PASS by April 15 to qualify for the waiver.

Scrutiny over immigration measures

The administration’s wider immigration crackdown has come under scrutiny ahead of the tournament, including concerns about the presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at venues.

Last month, Human Rights Watch called on FIFA to seek an “ICE Truce” during the competition, including assurances against immigration enforcement operations at stadiums and related locations.

The Department of Homeland Security said international visitors attending the matches “have nothing to worry about” if they hold legal immigration status.