Foreign ticket holders from World Cup teams' countries won't have to pay bonds to enter U.S.

"The Trump administration is suspending a requirement that foreign visitors from countries that have qualified for the World Cup and have bought tickets for the soccer tournament pay as much as $15,000 in bonds to enter the United States, the State Department said Wednesday. The department imposed the bond requirement last year for countries that it said had high rates of people overstaying their visas and other security issues as part of the Republican administration's broader crackdown on immigration."

"Travelers to the United States from 50 countries are required to pay the new bond, and five of those countries have qualified for the World Cup Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia. Citizens from those five countries who have purchased tickets from FIFA are now exempt from the visa bond requirement. World Cup team players, coaches and some staff already had been exempt from the bond requirement as part of the administration's orders to prioritize the processing of visas for the tournament."

""The United States is excited to organize the biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history," Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said. "We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets" and opted in to the FIFA Pass system that allows expedited visa appointments as of April 15. The waiver is a rare loosening of immigration requirements under the administration and will ease travel burdens for at least some visitors to the U.S. for the World Cup, which begins June 11 and is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico."

"The administration has taken dramatic steps to restrict immigration in ways that critics say are incongruous with the type of unifying message that a global sporting event such as the World Cup is supposed to project. For instance, the administration has barred travelers from Iran and Haiti, though World Cup players, coaches and other support personnel are exempt."

The Trump administration is suspending a visa bond requirement for certain foreign visitors entering the United States for the World Cup. The State Department previously required travelers from 50 countries to post bonds up to $15,000 due to concerns about visa overstays and other security issues. Five of the affected countries qualified for the World Cup: Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia. Citizens of those countries who purchased FIFA World Cup tickets are now exempt from the bond requirement. World Cup players, coaches, and some staff were already exempt to prioritize visa processing. The waiver applies to qualified fans who bought tickets and opted into the FIFA Pass system for expedited visa appointments starting April 15. The World Cup begins June 11 and is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

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