The United States is reportedly considering a measure that would compel supporters from five African nations to pay a refundable bond of up to $15,000 to gain entry for the upcoming World Cup tournament. Beyond the standard tourist visas, these travelers would be required to deposit between $5,000 and $15,000, which would be returned upon their timely departure from the country.
This Visa Bond initiative, a pilot program slated to commence by the end of 2025 by the U.S. Department, mandates such bonds for applicants of specific B1/B2 visas (for business or tourism). Failure by a visitor to leave within the stipulated timeframe or a breach of visa terms would result in the forfeiture of the deposit.
As of April 2nd, the visa bond program expanded its scope to include numerous countries, specifically listing Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia, among a lengthy comprehensive list.
Five nations among those mentioned have qualified for the upcoming World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada next June. All five are African countries: Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Tunisia. Consequently, fans aspiring to travel to the U.S. to support their national teams would face a substantial upfront payment, which, despite being refundable, could pose a prohibitive financial barrier for many.