From April 2, the United States will implement a “visa bond pilot program.” Essentially, some travelers will have to deposit an amount ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to obtain their visa. This bond will be refunded to them upon leaving the country as scheduled.
The measure now applies to fifty countries, including five nations qualified for the 2026 World Cup: Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal, Cape Verde, and Ivory Coast. For adults, the bond could be between $10,000 and $15,000, compared to around $5,000 for minors.
Officially, U.S. authorities justify this scheme as a way to combat illegal immigration and ensure that visitors adhere to the duration of their stay.
Supporters at the forefront, delegations in uncertainty
While this measure primarily targets visitors, it could also affect sports delegations. In practice, players, coaches, and staff members could be subject to this bond, paid individually.
Amid growing concerns, FIFA is reportedly working behind the scenes to negotiate exemptions. One possible solution being considered is issuing official invitation letters for the delegations to avoid this financial constraint. However, supporters are unlikely to receive such exemptions.
This situation could complicate the tournament’s organization for some teams. Several group stage matches for Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia are scheduled to take place in the U.S., while Algeria and Cape Verde should play all their games there.
Upset supporters: “It’s a global competition, you need to be ready to welcome everyone”
The announcement of this measure quickly sparked outrage on social media. Many internet users on TikTok criticized the decision as discriminatory. Some have called for boycotting the sporting event.
French content creators expressed their discontent as well, highlighting the implications of this policy on African and Arab fans.
A broader immigration policy tightening
In parallel, the U.S. has also announced a freeze on permanent immigration visas for nationals of 75 countries, including several nations qualified for the competition like Iran, Iraq, Brazil, Bosnia, Uzbekistan, and Egypt. Supporters from these countries are not directly affected, but their entry requests will undergo thorough screening, including scrutiny of their social media profiles before being allowed into the U.S.
Context: The U.S. introduced a pilot program requiring certain travelers to post a bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 for visa issuance. This caused concern and backlash, especially among fans of countries affected by these measures like Algeria, Tunisia, and Senegal.
Fact Check: Content creators and social media users have criticized the visa bond policy for being discriminatory and potentially complicating the 2026 World Cup participation for some nations.
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