FIFA PASS is intended for spectators who have already purchased match tickets and require a visa to enter the United States. Participation is voluntary and provides faster access to consular interview appointments. However, all standard screening procedures remain in place, and participation does not guarantee the issuance of a visa.

To participate, fans must confirm their consent through a FIFA account, submit a regular US visa application, and indicate during the interview scheduling process that they hold a valid tournament ticket. If the information matches, the applicant will be granted access to a prioritised appointment window.

The US Department of State has emphasised that FIFA PASS does not allow applicants to bypass existing visa or immigration requirements. Fans from countries subject to partial or full entry restrictions may apply, but each case will be assessed individually.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the first tournament to feature 48 participating teams and will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Background and Purpose of the Fee

The U.S. government introduced the Visa Integrity Fee with the aim of strengthening the security and integrity of the visa system. The revenue generated will help fund enhanced screening procedures and expand the capacity of the relevant immigration authorities. At the same time, the fee responds to the growing administrative workload caused by increasing numbers of visa applications.

What Does This Mean for Applicants?

For applicants, the new fee represents an additional financial burden. It becomes due at the time of visa issuance and is charged on top of existing consular and processing fees. A notable aspect is the proposed refund option: if all visa conditions are fully complied with during the stay, the $250 fee may be refunded after the visa expires. However, specific details regarding the refund process—such as deadlines, conditions, and application procedures—have not yet been finalized.

Criticism and Open Questions

Critics have pointed out a lack of transparency regarding how the funds will be used, as well as the absence of a clearly defined refund process. As of now, October 1, 2025—coinciding with the start of the new U.S. fiscal year—is being considered the likely start date for the Visa Integrity Fee requirement. However, no official date has been confirmed.

Our Service for You

We are closely monitoring all developments related to this new regulation and are available to assist you with any questions concerning the Visa Integrity Fee and the smooth preparation and processing of your U.S. visa applications.

Entry Restrictions to the United States

The United States of America has partially or fully suspended entry for nationals of certain countries.

These regulations will take effect on June 9, 2025, and will remain in place until further notice.

Full Entry Suspension

A full entry suspension applies to both immigrants and nonimmigrants from the following 12 countries:

• Afghanistan
• Burma (Myanmar)
• Chad
• Republic of the Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Libya
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Yemen

Entry is fully suspended for nationals of these countries across all visa categories.

Partial Entry Suspension

Entry is partially suspended for nationals of the following 7 countries. The restrictions apply to specific visa categories:

• Burundi: B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J – Entry suspended; visa validity may be reduced
• Cuba: B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J – Entry suspended; visa validity may be reduced
• Laos: B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J – Entry suspended
• Sierra Leone: B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J – Entry suspended; visa validity may be reduced
• Togo: B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J – Entry suspended; visa validity may be reduced
• Turkmenistan: B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J – Entry suspended; visa validity may be reduced
• Venezuela: B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J – Entry suspended; visa validity may be reduced

Scope of Application

These restrictions apply only to foreign nationals who:

• are outside the United States on the effective date of the proclamation and
• do not hold a valid U.S. visa on that date.

Exceptions

The following groups are exempt from the entry restrictions:

• Lawful Permanent Residents:
• Dual nationals: If traveling on the passport of a non-listed country
• Holders of specific visa categories: A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 to NATO-6

Update: June 5, 2025 – 7:42 a.m.

Important Notice on Social Media Vetting for F-, M-, and J-Visa Applicants

Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are required to set all of their social media accounts to "public" to facilitate the vetting process necessary to establish their identity and admissibility under US immigration law.

Original message: Notice to F, M, and J Visa Applicants on Social Media Vetting

Trump pauses new student visa interviews and considers expanding social media screening

According to current information and media reports, no new dates will be bookable for students for the time being until the procedure for student visas has been adjusted. Existing appointments will remain valid for the time being! As soon as further information is available, we will inform you accordingly.

The Trump administration is weighing requiring all foreign students applying to study in the United States to undergo social media vetting — a significant expansion of previous such efforts, according to a cable obtained by POLITICO.

In preparation for such required vetting, the administration is ordering U.S. Embassies and consular sections to pause scheduling new interviews for such student visa applicants, according to the cable, dated Tuesday and signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

If the administration carries out the plan, it could severely slow down student visa processing. It also could hurt many universities who rely heavily on foreign students to boost their financial coffers.

“Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued septel, which we anticipate in the coming days,” the cable states. (“Septel” is State Department shorthand for “separate telegram.”)

The administration had earlier imposed some social media screening requirements, but those were largely aimed at returning students who may have participated in protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza.

The cable doesn’t directly spell out what the future social media vetting would screen for, but it alludes to executive orders that are aimed at keeping out terrorists and battling antisemitism.

Many State Department officials have complained privately for months that past guidance — for, say, vetting students who may have participated in campus protests — has been vague. It’s unclear, for example, whether posting photos of a Palestinian flag on an X account could force a student to undergo additional scrutiny.

The administration has used a variety of rules to target universities, especially elite ones such as Harvard, that it sees as too liberal and accuses of allowing antisemitism to flourish on their campuses. At the same time, it is carrying out immigration crackdowns that have swept up a number of students. Spokespeople for the State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The news was met with frustration in much of the higher education community.

NAFSA: Association of International Educators, a group that advocates for foreign students, decried the decision. The group’s CEO, Fanta Aw, said it unfairly cast aspersions on hardworking students.

“The idea that the embassies have the time, the capacity and taxpayer dollars are being spent this way is very problematic,” Aw said. “International students are not a threat to this country. If anything, they’re an incredible asset to this country.”

Meta, which owns Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, declined to comment. Spokespeople for other platforms, including Google, Snap, X, TikTok, Discord, Bluesky and Reddit, also did not respond to questions about the policy.

Update: 28.05.2025 - 6:30 Uhr