The Trump administration’s visa bond program had raised concerns about rising costs for World Cup travelers to the US.
The United States has said it will waive expensive visa bonds imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration on World Cup ticket holders.
The announcement on Wednesday followed concerns that some international travelers to the 2026 World Cup would face bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, adding to the already sky-high price of attending the football spectacle.
Under a policy launched last August, citizens of fifty countries were required to fork out bonds to obtain a temporary US visa. The money is returned after a visitor leaves the US.
US Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said the government “will waive visa guarantees for qualified fans who have purchased World Cup tickets and signed up for FIFA PASS as of April 15, 2026.”
She referred to a previously announced program to speed up visa processing for the World Cup. The government had also previously waived bond requirements for “qualifying team members, including players, coaches and support staff who otherwise meet all requirements for entry into the US,” Namdar added.
“We remain committed to strengthening America’s national security priorities while facilitating legitimate travel for the upcoming World Cup tournament,” she said.
The State Department has said it expects up to 10 million visitors in the US for the event. The competitions begin on June 11 in cities across the US, Mexico and Canada.
The US State Department added that ticketed visitors will still be subject to regular visa checks.
At least five countries participating in the World Cup, such as Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia, are subject to the visa guarantee policy.
