As the United States prepares to host most 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, a widened visa bond program could raise the cost and complexity for many international supporters seeking to attend.
What is the visa bond program and how it works
The State Department has expanded a visa bond requirement to 50 countries. The rule is an additional financial guarantee layered onto the standard B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism) visa process. Consular officers decide, at the visa interview, whether an applicant must post a bond.
During that interview officers assess factors such as an applicant’s economic and social ties to their home country, stated travel purpose, estimated risk of overstaying, and prior travel or immigration history. Based on those considerations they determine visa eligibility and whether a bond is required.
When imposed, bonds typically range from about $5,000 to $15,000 per person and are set case by case. The fee is individual, so a family of four could face a bond requirement totaling tens of thousands of dollars. If the visa holder follows the terms of the visa and departs the United States on time, the bond is refunded after the trip; if not, it may be forfeited.
Which countries are affected
What began as a pilot in August 2025 for Malawi and Zambia has since been widened to include 50 countries across regions: roughly 30 African nations, nine in Asia, five in North America (covering the Caribbean and Central America), five in Oceania, and one in South America. Recently added countries as of April 2 include Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia.
The State Department says applications are adjudicated individually and that all applicants must meet legal standards for visa issuance. There is no public blanket exemption for event attendees, and the program does not explicitly carve out fans. Athletes and official team personnel typically travel on P-1 visas, so they are generally not affected, but fans and some media traveling on visitor visas could be required to post bonds.
Why this matters for the World Cup
At least five countries that have already qualified or are expected to qualify for the 2026 tournament fall under the program, including Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Tunisia. For supporters from those nations, attending matches in the United States could require thousands of dollars up front for a bond — funds that are refundable later but must be available immediately alongside flight, lodging, ticket, and other trip costs.
Immigration attorneys note the burden is likely to be felt disproportionately by fans from smaller or lower-income countries. For example, Cape Verde’s historic participation could be undermined if many fans cannot meet a large up-front bond requirement.
Because the tournament is split among the United States, Canada, and Mexico, single-entry visas and bond conditions complicate travel for fans who plan to move between host countries. While consular officers can consider an individual case when issuing single- or multiple-entry visas, there are no universal guarantees, making itinerary planning uncertain.
Practical impacts and delays
The bond requirement is imposed after the interview but before visa issuance, creating an extra administrative step to arrange, post, and document the bond. That process can extend visa turnaround times by weeks. For World Cup travel that depends on fixed dates for flights, hotels, and matches, such delays may lead to missed events or the inability to travel.
Some immigration lawyers say the bond operates as much as a deterrent as a compliance tool: even when applicants are bona fide tourists, the immediate financial burden and unpredictability around whether a bond will be required can discourage people from applying or finalizing travel plans.
For fans planning World Cup trips, the expanded program means added uncertainty and potential cost. Those hoping to attend should consult the consulate or embassy handling their visa interview, prepare documentation that demonstrates strong ties to home, and budget for the possibility of a substantial refundable bond if they are asked to post one.