Overview
- The United States plans a Visa Bond Pilot Program that would make visitors from about 50 countries pay a refundable deposit of up to $15,000 to obtain standard B-1/B-2 tourist or business visas.
- Reports name five qualified World Cup teams whose citizens would be affected for U.S. games in 2026: Algeria, Cape Verde, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Tunisia.
- The deposit must be paid by each traveler, is refunded only if the visitor leaves before the visa expires, and is capped at $5,000 for children.
- Families could be forced to advance tens of thousands of dollars on top of tickets, flights and hotels, a cost that outlets warn could keep many supporters from attending matches in U.S. stadiums.
- FIFA is pushing for ways to waive the bond for players, staff and officials, according to The Athletic as cited by French media, while fans and relatives are not expected to receive exemptions.