"Visa bonds operate like security deposits: a one-time payment meant to be refunded after a traveler exits the US under the terms of their visa. The amounts generally run between $5,000 and $15,000, and are required for passport holders from certain countries to enter the US legally under B-1 or B-2 visas."
"Though refundable, the cost of the bonds alone are enough to make travel to the US prohibitive for most fans from those countries, which have average annual income levels of about $5,000 per year or less."
"Even if affordable for some fans, the multi-thousand dollar requirement will be another headache to add to the list of potential complications for fans from those countries, including high ticket prices for the games themselves, hotel prices that are far above average, plus other visa processing delays and potential safety issues created by the presence of federal immigration officers from ICE and other agencies."
The Trump administration's expanded policy may require travelers from five World Cup-qualified African countries to pay a bond of up to $15,000 to enter the US. Visa bonds act as security deposits, refundable after exiting the US. The US state department has mandated these bonds since late 2025, affecting many countries, particularly from Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The recent expansion includes 50 countries, with five from Africa qualifying for the World Cup. The bond requirement could deter fans due to their low average annual incomes.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]