US drops $15,000 visa deposit for foreign fans with World Cup tickets

May 14, 2026

The Trump administration has announced an exemption from its $15,000 visa deposit requirement for soccer fans from 50 designated countries who are traveling to attend World Cup matches in the United States with valid tickets. This deposit program, which launched as a pilot initiative last August to discourage visa overstays, originally applied to visitors from nations where screening information was deemed insufficient, though players and coaches were already exempt. Five countries affected by the deposit requirement—Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia—have teams competing in the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico beginning June 11th.

Who is affected

Football fans from 50 countries previously subject to the $15,000 visa deposit requirement who have valid World Cup tickets
Fans from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia (countries that qualified for the tournament)
Travelers from Iran and Haiti (who remain barred from entry, except players and coaches)
Travelers from Ivory Coast and Senegal (who face partial restrictions under an expanded travel ban)
Players and coaches from the 50 affected countries
FIFA as the organizing body
Tourists from dozens of countries who may be required to provide social media history

What action is being taken

The Trump administration is waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who purchased World Cup tickets
FIFA is collaborating with the White House to deliver the World Cup event
The US government is maintaining travel bars for Iran and Haiti (except for players and coaches)
The US government is applying partial restrictions on travelers from Ivory Coast and Senegal

Why it matters

This exemption is significant because it removes a substantial financial barrier ($15,000 deposit) that would have prevented many international soccer fans from attending World Cup matches held in the United States. The policy change demonstrates a balance between the administration's broader immigration enforcement goals and the practical needs of hosting a major international sporting event. The decision impacts fans from five qualified nations and allows for greater international participation in the tournament, while also highlighting ongoing tensions between immigration restrictions and global sporting events that depend on international travel.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC