The US government has announced a change in its visa policy linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The decision concerns the Visa Bond Pilot Program, which previously required nationals from 50 countries to pay a bond of up to $15,000 when applying for a tourist or business visa. This rule also affected some World Cup ticket holders from countries included in the programme.
The requirement has now been suspended for selected groups of fans who meet specific conditions, including having official match tickets and using the FIFA PASS system. The announcement was confirmed by the U.S. Department of State and comes shortly before the tournament begins on 11 June 2026. The US says it is excited to host what it describes as the biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history. Officials describe the change as a targeted easing of restrictions rather than a full removal of the bond programme.
Great news for FIFA World Cup 2026™ ticket holders who will travel to the United States this year — we’re giving you prioritized access to U.S. visa appointments through FIFA PASS. If you bought a ticket on https://t.co/C6MefRu3XY for any of the games in the United States and… pic.twitter.com/PKgLKraQg0
— U.S. Embassy Ghana (@USEmbassyGhana) May 14, 2026
The Visa Bond Pilot Program was introduced by the US government and originally applied to travellers from 50 countries. These countries were classified as higher risk for visa overstays or security concerns. Under the programme, travellers applying for tourist or business visas could be required to pay a bond of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 per person, depending on individual circumstances. This system also applied to the visa types used by many fans travelling for the World Cup. The bond was refundable after departure from the United States, provided visa conditions were respected. Five World Cup-qualified countries were included in the scheme: Algeria, Cape Verde, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Tunisia.
However, the actual impact of the waiver appears limited when looking more closely at the conditions. The policy is more complex and less wide-reaching than initial headlines suggest. The waiver mainly benefits official team delegations, including players, coaches and support staff. It also covers some immediate family members in specific cases. For regular fans, access depends on strict timing rules and earlier registration steps, which significantly reduces the number of people who can benefit.
A key requirement is participation in the FIFA PASS system, formally known as the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System. This system was created to help ticket holders secure faster visa appointments at U.S. embassies and consulates. However, uptake has been relatively low so far. Reports indicate that fewer than 17,000 people globally have signed up to the PASS system. This limits how many fans from affected countries can actually use the waiver. The system also required early action, meaning many supporters who waited or were uncertain may no longer qualify.
The broader political context also plays an important role in the discussion. Some countries, including Iran and Haiti, face travel bans affecting entry into the United States, even though their teams have qualified for the tournament. Rights organisations have criticised the situation, with Amnesty International and others issuing a World Cup travel advisory warning about the travel environment. At the same time, officials argue that visa rules are part of national security policy and screening procedures. The State Department has stated that it aims to balance facilitating legitimate travel while maintaining national security priorities.
The tourism impact of the World Cup is also being closely watched in host cities. Economic benefits are expected to be more modest than earlier forecasts suggested. This means that many visitors may replace regular tourists instead of adding new spending overall. Smaller cities could see more noticeable benefits, while major destinations like New York or Miami may experience limited growth. At the same time, industry groups have warned that visa barriers and uncertainty have significantly affected international demand, which has already influenced hotel bookings and travel expectations ahead of the tournament.
