Foreigners with World Cup tickets won't have to pay big bonds to enter US

Key Points:

• The Trump administration has suspended a requirement for foreign visitors from certain countries to pay bonds up to $15,000 if they hold confirmed World Cup tickets, easing travel restrictions for fans attending the tournament.
• The bond requirement, introduced last year for travelers from 50 countries with high visa overstay rates or security concerns, had affected fans from five World Cup qualifying countries: Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Tunisia.
• The waiver applies to fans who purchased World Cup tickets and opted into the FIFA Pass system for expedited visa appointments, marking a rare relaxation of immigration policies under the administration.
• Despite exemptions for players, coaches, and staff, the administration's broader restrictive immigration measures, including travel bans and social media history submissions, have raised concerns among human rights groups and impacted international travel demand for the tournament.
• FIFA requested the bond waiver, which was approved after multiple discussions involving the State Department, Department of Homeland Security, and the White House, aiming to facilitate smoother entry for World Cup fans.