"The Trump administration will exempt football fans from 50 countries subject to a $15,000 (11,000) visa deposit requirement, provided they are travelling to the US for the World Cup with valid match tickets. Five of these countries - Algeria, Cabo Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia - have qualified for the tournament, to be co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico from 11 June."
""We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets," Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said in a statement to the BBC. The bond requirement, introduced last year , was intended to reduce visa overstays, according to a notice published by the state department. Players and coaches for the tournament were already exempt from the bond requirement, but ordinary fans with confirmed tickets for the World Cup had not been included until Wednesday."
"The 12-month pilot programme, launched last August, was part of the administration's wider immigration crackdown. According to the state department, it was intended to curb visa overstays or cases "where screening and vetting information is considered deficient". The bond would be refunded at the end of the visitor's stay. In a statement, FIFA said the announcement demonstrates the ongoing collaboration with the White House "to deliver a successful, record-breaking and unforgettable global event"."
"While the requirement has now been suspended for football fans from the 50 affected countries, travellers from Iran and Haiti remain barred. But players and coaches from those countries are exempt for World Cup-related travel. Travellers from Ivory Coast and Senegal, both of which have qualified for the tournament, face partial restrictions under an expanded version of that travel ban."
The Trump administration will waive visa bonds for football fans from 50 countries when they travel to the United States for the World Cup with valid match tickets. The waiver applies to qualified fans from countries including Algeria, Cabo Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia, which have qualified for the tournament co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico starting 11 June. The $15,000 visa deposit requirement was introduced last year to reduce visa overstays and cases where screening and vetting information is considered deficient. The bond is refunded at the end of the visitor’s stay. Players and coaches were already exempt, and FIFA welcomed the decision while noting ongoing collaboration. Travelers from Iran and Haiti remain barred, and Ivory Coast and Senegal face partial restrictions under an expanded travel ban.
Read at www.bbc.com
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