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The U.S. Department of State announced a temporary exemption to the immigration bond program known as Visa Bond for certain fans traveling to the FIFA World Cup 2026, including Cuban citizens who meet specific requirements, as confirmed by the Department of State itself.
The measure represents an exceptional concession amid the tightening immigration policies driven by the Trump administration, and it was confirmed to the Associated Press by Mora Namdar, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, who stated that "the United States is excited to host the biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history."
Cuba was incorporated into the Visa Bond Program on January 21, 2026, which required its citizens to deposit between 5,000 and 15,000 dollars as a guarantee to obtain a B1/B2 tourist or business visa.
However, the exemption is neither automatic nor universal.
According to reported by elToque, it applies only to fans who have purchased official FIFA tickets before April 15, 2026, and have registered in the FIFA PASS system (FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System), created in coordination between FIFA and the State Department to streamline consular appointments.
Cuba did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup, so its citizens can only benefit from the exemption as fans, not as athletes or team personnel.
Official sources cited by AP indicated that the exemption was directly requested by FIFA and discussed for months in meetings among the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and White House officials, motivated by concerns that immigration restrictions could decrease international attendance at the tournament.
Among the countries eligible for the bonus that will also participate in the World Cup are Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia.
The removal of the bond does not alter the standard visa application process.
Cuban applicants must also complete the DS-160 form, pay the consular fees, submit the required documentation, and successfully pass the security interview.
The State Department was explicit: "No visa is issued until the consular officer completes a thorough review and verification and determines that the applicant meets all the requirements of U.S. law."
The Visa Bond Program was implemented as a pilot program starting in August 2025 and affects more than 50 countries, with high overstay rates on temporary visas according to the Department of Homeland Security.
The amount of the deposit—$5,000, $10,000, or $15,000—is determined by the consular officer during the interview and is refundable if the visitor exits the U.S. within the authorized timeframe.
The general context remains one of restriction: The U.S. froze visas for immigrants from 75 countries in January 2026, and the Trump administration deported approximately 540,000 people during its first year back in power, according to federal data analysis cited by The New York Times.
The 2026 World Cup, which kicks off on June 11, will be the largest edition in the tournament's history, featuring 48 teams and co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, with millions of international visitors expected.
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