US waives visa bonds of up to $15,000 for FIFA World Cup ticket holders

The United States will waive significant visa bond requirements for individuals holding tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This decision reverses a policy implemented by the Trump administration that mandated bonds of up to $15,000 for citizens of 50 countries seeking temporary US visas. The waiver applies to qualified fans who purchased World Cup tickets and opted into FIFA PASS by April 15, 2026. This move aims to facilitate legitimate travel for the tournament while maintaining national security. Previously, the administration had also waived these bonds for team members. Visitors will still undergo standard visa vetting processes.

The Trump administration has waived a visa bond requirement for foreign ticket holders from World Cup qualifying countries entering the United States. Previously, citizens from 50 countries, including five that qualified for the World Cup (Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia), were subject to bonds of up to $15,000 due to concerns about visa overstays and security. This waiver, effective as of April 15, applies to those who purchased World Cup tickets and opted into FIFA's expedited visa appointment system. The State Department stated this move aims to ease travel for fans attending the tournament, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, which begins June 11. This represents a rare relaxation of immigration rules under the current administration.