WASHINGTON — The Trump administration said Wednesday it will waive a requirement that foreign World Cup ticket holders from five African nations pay a bond of up to $15,000 to enter the United States, an exception to the Republican administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement ahead of the June 11 tournament.
The State Department’s move, which came after months of discussions with FIFA and was approved by the Department of Homeland Security, suspends a bond imposed last year on visitors from 50 countries deemed to have high rates of visa overstays. Citizens of Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia who have purchased tickets through FIFA and opted into the FIFA Pass expedited visa system as of April 15 will no longer have to pay the bond, which could range from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the country.
“The United States is excited to organize the biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history,” Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said. “We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets,” she added, noting the waiver applies to those who opted into the FIFA Pass system.
FIFA, in a statement, said the announcement shows “our ongoing collaboration with the U.S. government and the White House task force for the FIFA World Cup to deliver a successful, record-breaking and unforgettable global event.”
The waiver marks a rare relaxation of immigration restrictions under an administration that has taken dramatic steps to limit entry — steps that critics say are at odds with the unifying message a global sporting event is supposed to project. The administration has barred travelers from Iran and Haiti entirely, though World Cup players, coaches and other support personnel are exempt. Citizens of Ivory Coast and Senegal still face partial restrictions under an expanded version of that travel ban, even with the bond exemption. Foreign travelers also faced potential new requirements to submit their social media histories, though that policy from U.S. Customs and Border Protection had not gone into effect.
Amnesty International and dozens of U.S. civil and human rights groups this month issued a “World Cup travel advisory” warning travelers about the U.S. climate, citing the array of restrictive measures.
The bond requirement was part of a larger effort to clamp down on migrants who overstay temporary visas. Visa applicants from the listed countries must pay $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000, which is refunded if they comply with visa terms or the application is denied. World Cup team players, coaches and some staff already had been exempt under an earlier order to prioritize tournament visa processing.
The American Hotel & Lodging Association reported this month that visa barriers and other geopolitical issues are “significantly suppressing international demand,” leading to hotel bookings for the World Cup that are far below initial expectations. The association said travelers are worried about lengthy visa wait times, increased fees and uncertainty about how they’re being processed.
As of early April, only about 250 World Cup fans were affected by the bond requirement, according to U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly. But they said that number was changing rapidly as more people buy tickets and some with tickets opt against traveling. FIFA had requested the waiver, and it was the subject of multiple meetings at the White House and elsewhere in Washington for several months, the officials said.