The Trump administration is suspending a requirement for foreign visitors from certain countries to pay bonds of up to $15,000 to enter the United States, provided they are confirmed World Cup ticket holders. The decision aims to ease the financial burden for foreign soccer fans and address concerns over the soaring costs of traveling to the tournament.
The bond requirement was implemented by the State Department last year as part of a broader crackdown on immigration to prevent visa overstays and address security issues. Fifty countries are currently subject to the requirement, which was expanded this year.
Five World Cup-qualified countries are included in the waiver: Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Tunisia. These nations had been among those flagged for high rates of visa overstays.