Updated on 21.05.2026

Visa Bond and the 2026 FIFA World Cup: What Travelers Need to Know Now

Starting in 2025, travelers from certain countries will need a so-called visa bond — a deposit of up to $15,000—to obtain a US visa. For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, an exemption applies to athletes, team members, and certain World Cup ticket holders. However, the standard visa application process remains mandatory for everyone.

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Anyone wishing to travel to the USA for the 2026 FIFA World Cup faces an additional hurdle depending on their nationality: the Visa Bond Program, which has been in force since 2025. The US government has announced an exemption for World Cup travelers - with clear conditions and important restrictions.

What is a Visa Bond?

Since August 20, 2025, US consulates have been able to B-1/B-2 Visa applicants from certain countries are required to provide a financial guarantee - the so-called visa bond. This works in a similar way to a deposit and is intended to ensure that travelers comply with the visa conditions, and in particular that they leave the USA on time.
The amount of the bond is 5,000, 10,000 or 15,000 US dollars and is calculated individually on the day the bond is issued. Visa interviews by the consular officials.

Anyone who fulfills all the conditions and leaves the country on time will automatically receive the amount after the B visa expires. Pay.gov refunded.

The program now covers a total of 50 countries - including many countries from which World Cup fans and teams will travel, such as Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, Venezuela and Cambodia.

To whom does the World Cup exemption apply?

The US government has announced that it will suspend the visa bond requirement for certain groups of people for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, the exception does not apply across the board, but only under specific conditions.

Athletes and team members

Players, coaches and other members of the official team delegation and their immediate family members are exempt from the bond requirement. However, provided they are nationals of a World Cup participating country and fulfill all other visa requirements.

Fans with a tournament ticket

A special regulation also applies to fans, but only under two cumulative conditions: The tournament ticket must have been purchased by April 15, 2026 and registration in the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (PASS) must have taken place via the official FIFA website. Only these qualify for a visa bond exemption.

Important: The registration deadline for FIFA PASS has already passed. Fans who have not registered by April 15 can no longer take advantage of this exception.

The visa procedure remains mandatory

The bond exception does not change the regular visa process. All applicants - whether fan, athlete or team member - must continue to apply for the DS-160 form correctly, complete a personal visa interview and submit all the usual documents. A visa will not be issued until the US consulate has completed its review. The bond waiver does not guarantee the issuance of a visa or theentering the USA.

What to look out for when paying bonds and entering the country

The following regulations apply to travelers who are still subject to the bond obligation:

Payment only via Pay.gov after explicit request by the consulate. Payments via third-party providers are not permitted
Upon request at the US Consulate, the form I-352 to submit
Entry and exit must be via a commercial airport. All US airports and international locations with CBP preclearance are permitted. Land borders, seaports, charter and private flights are not permitted.

Important: The deposit of a bond does not guarantee the granting of a visa or entry. If a payment is made without prior instruction from the consular officers, there is no entitlement to a refund.

Affected states and entry into force of the regulation

Since August 20, 2025
-Malawi
-Zambia

Since October 11, 2025
-Gambia

Since October 23, 2025
-Mauritania
-São Tomé and Príncipe
-Tanzania

Since January 1, 2026
-Bhutan
-Botswana
-Guinea
-Guinea-Bissau
-Namibia
-Turkmenistan
-Central African Republic

Since January 21, 2026
-Algeria
-Angola
-Antigua and Barbuda
-Bangladesh
-Benin
-Burundi
-Cabo Verde
-Cote D'Ivorie
-Cuba
-Djibouti
-Dominica
-Fiji
-Gabon
-Kyrgyzstan
-Nepal
-Nigeria
-Senegal
-Tajikistan
-Togo
-Tonga
-Tuvalu
-Uganda
-Vanuatu
-Venezuela
-Zimbabwe

Since April 2, 2026
-Cambodia
-Ethiopia
-Georgia
-Grenada
-Lesotho
-Mauritius
-Mongolia
-Mozambique
-Nicaragua
-Papua New Guinea
-Seychelles
-Tunisia

The decisive factor is nationality

The following applies to the Visa Bond Program: The decisive factor is the nationality of the applicant, not the place of application. Dual nationals who apply with the passport of a non-affected nationality are not subject to the bond obligation. If you are not sure whether your own nationality is affected, you should clarify this at an early stage, as experience shows that consulate appointments are in high demand, especially before a major event.

When does the bond expire?

DHS investigates possible immigration law violations and forwards appropriate cases to USCIS. A forfeiture occurs in particular for:

Departure after expiry of the authorized period of stay
Non-exit after expiry of the permitted status
Application for adjustment of status or application for asylum during the stay

When will the bond be refunded?

The bond is fully refunded if you leave the country on time, do not use your visa or are denied entry at the US border crossing. The refund is made automatically via Pay.gov with the means of payment used, but only after the visa has expired.

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Updated on 21.05.2026