As the US prepares to host the bulk of matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a newly expanded visa policy could make it significantly harder—and more expensive—for some international fans to attend.
The State Department has broadened its “visa bond” program to a total of 50 countries, including several whose national teams are expected to compete in the tournament this summer.
The move is designed to curb visa overstays, but with bonds reaching as high as $15,000, it’s also raising questions about who will realistically be able to enter the US for one of the world’s biggest sporting events. Here’s what to know.
What is the visa bond program, and how does it work?
The visa bond program functions, in essence, like a security deposit that’s layered on top of the standard visa process. It applies to visitors applying for a B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) visa—whether or not they are required to post a visa bond is then determined during their consular interview.
“This interview includes examining the applicant’s economic and social ties to their home country, their stated reasons for US travel, the assessed risk of overstaying, and their previous travel history to the United States or any immigration violations,” explains Angel Valverde, a immigration attorney at Civitas Counsel, P.A. “Based on this review, consular officers determine whether applicants face any visa ineligibilities, and subsequently whether a visa bond requirement applies.”
If the consular officer requires the applicant to post a bond, it will typically range from $5,000 to $15,000. The decision is made on a case-by-case basis and can vary depending on the embassy and the applicant. The fee is also per person, so a family of four, for example, may face a minimum bond requirement of $20,000.
If the visa is granted and the traveler complies with its terms—most importantly, leaving the US on time—the bond is refunded after the trip. If they don’t, they risk forfeiting it.
Which countries are affected?
What began as a limited pilot program of two countries, Malawi and Zambia, in August 2025 has steadily expanded. The State Department now applies the policy to 50 countries, including 30 African nations, 9 Asian countries, 5 from North America (including the Caribbean and Central America), 5 from Oceania, and 1 from South America.
The most recently added nations, as of April 2, include Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia.
It remains unclear whether any groups will be exempt from the visa bond requirement. While previous travel bans under the Trump administration included carve-outs for athletes and officials participating in major international events like the World Cup, no such exemptions are explicitly outlined in the current visa bond program.
A State Department spokesperson told The Athletic that “all applicants” are held to the same legal standards and must “comply with the terms of a visa.” Asked whether World Cup athletes would be exempt from the requirement, the spokesperson said applications would be “adjudicated on a case-by-case basis.”
However, “athletes and official team personnel typically travel on P-1 visas, so they are unlikely to be directly affected,” notes Alexander Carl, a partner at Boulour/Carl Immigration Group. But “for fans—and potentially some media traveling on visitor visas—the added financial burden and unpredictability could deter attendance or delay travel plans.”
