Trump admin waves visa bonds for World Cup fans
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- Trump administration suspends the $15,000 visa bond for foreign visitors from five African nations who hold FIFA World Cup tickets.
- State Department says the waiver covers ticket holders from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia, allowing them to travel without the bond.
- Mora Namdar (Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs) says the United States is “excited to organize the biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history” and calls the waiver a “rare loosening” of immigration rules.
- Amnesty International and other human‑rights groups issued a World Cup travel advisory warning travelers about the U.S. immigration climate amid broader restrictions on travelers from Iran, Haiti and other countries.
- FIFA's Pass system, launched April 15, lets eligible World Cup ticket holders from the five African nations secure expedited visa appointments.
Why it matters: Fans from five African nations can skip the $15k visa bond, easing travel and boosting tournament attendance, while critics note the waiver is a rare exception amid broader U.S. immigration restrictions.
