#us-visa-policy

#us-visa-policy

Late on Wednesday, the Trump administration confirmed that ticket-holding supporters from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia will be exempt from the requirement to post a visa deposit. The five were among 50 countries swept up in the requirement, introduced last year, which is intended to reduce visa overstays and was part of a wider immigration crackdown by the White House. With 78 of the 104 games at this year's World Cup taking place on American soil, the climbdown matters.

The United States has announced exemptions from visa bond payment requirements for FIFA World Cup ticket holders whose teams have qualified for the soccer tournament. In 2025, the Trump administration began requiring visitors to the US from certain countries to pay bonds of between $5,000 (4,300) and $15,000 to obtain a tourist visa. The bond requirement scheme was expanded in 2026 to include 50 countries. Five of the 50 countries subject to visa bonds qualified for the World Cup: Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia.

Making the World Cup can have that kind of power for a small or troubled country. The Haitian flag will fly with those of some the world's most powerful nations. Haiti's citizens, however, will not be able to travel to the United States to cheer them on, a reality that stings for Haitians at home and in the diaspora. Haitians, like citizens from Senegal, Ivory Coast and Iran, face almost a complete travel ban under Trump Administration policy.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan) GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Caribbean Life - The State Department is slapping sweeping immigrant or permanent visa processing suspensions on dozens of countries around the world, including the entire group of Eastern Caribbean nations, an announcement stated on Wednesday. The suspensions come on top of similarly punishing suspensions imposed on Dominican and Antiguan citizens by the Trump administration last month, covering ordinary B1/B2 tourist visas and other types of visas.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Iran has decided to boycott the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington next week because the U.S. denied visas to members of its delegation, the state-run IRNA news agency reported on Friday. The agency quoted Iranian soccer federation spokesman Amir-Mahdi Alavi as saying that officials faced visa obstacles that go beyond sports considerations. There was no immediate comment from the White House. Alavi said the federation had reached out to FIFA and hoped it could help resolve the issue. Soccer's ruling body didn't immediately reply to a request for comment.

The United States has suspended visa approvals for nearly everyone who holds a Palestinian passport, the New York Times reported on Sunday. The restrictions go beyond those Donald Trump's administration had previously announced on visitors from Gaza. They would prevent Palestinians from traveling to the United States for medical treatment, attending college and business travel, the newspaper reported, citing unidentified officials.

I believe those measures by the United States are excessive. I don't approve of them. I don't agree with them.