(UNITED STATES) Fans planning trips to the World Cup 2026 in North America are being warned to brace for a steep rise in the cost of a U.S. tourist visa, with a new Visa Integrity Fee pushing the standard B1/B2 visa charge to $435 per person from late 2025. The jump comes as the United States 🇺🇸 prepares for a massive influx of visitors for matches hosted across multiple U.S. cities, and is already prompting concern among supporters, travel agents, and tourism groups in countries that do not enjoy visa‑free access.
What changes and when
Under the new system, most people who need a U.S. visa to attend the tournament will pay:
- $185 for the standard Machine‑Readable Visa fee (MRV fee), plus
- $250 Visa Integrity Fee created under U.S. law,
for a combined total of $435. The change is expected to take effect on October 1, 2025, and the extra charge will be adjusted annually for inflation, so the price could climb again before the tournament begins.
This higher total will affect fans from large football‑supporting countries such as India, Nigeria, Colombia, China, and much of Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, where travelers must apply for a B1/B2 visa instead of using the Visa Waiver Program.
How this compares to Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries
- Citizens of VWP countries (including the United Kingdom, most European Union states, Japan, South Korea, and Australia) can still enter the U.S. for up to 90 days using ESTA rather than a full visa.
- The ESTA fee is rising to $40 from July 2025 (up from $21), but it remains much cheaper and simpler than the full visa process.
For many fans in Europe and parts of Asia, that difference keeps pre‑travel costs relatively modest compared with supporters in regions that rely on traditional visas.
Purpose and criticism of the Visa Integrity Fee
The government says the Visa Integrity Fee is aimed at strengthening the non‑immigrant visa system and applies widely to visitors coming for tourism, business, or study from non‑VWP countries.
Industry response and concerns:
– The U.S. Travel Association and tourism advocates warn the timing — just months before World Cup 2026 — risks pricing out thousands of loyal fans.
– Critics label the $250 fee a “cynical junk fee” and argue it may do little to improve security while making the U.S. less competitive than Canada 🇨🇦 and Mexico, which are also hosts.
– Tourism groups fear the measure could discourage “millions of international visitors” and reduce spending in host cities on hotels, restaurants, and fan zones.
Warning: The timing and additional cost may discourage many supporters and hurt local economies expecting heavy tourist spending.
What applicants must do (step‑by‑step)
Most supporters who require a B1/B2 visa will need to:
- Complete the online DS-160 non‑immigrant visa application form.
- Pay the combined $435 in fees (MRV + Visa Integrity Fee).
- Schedule and attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
The DS-160 is filed through the Department of State’s Consular Electronic Application Center, accessible via the DS-160 portal.
Typical documentation required:
– Valid passport
– Recent photo
– Proof of income or savings
– Evidence of strong ties to the home country
– Details of planned trip (flight bookings, and where possible, FIFA match ticket confirmations)
Backlogs and timing — apply early
Longstanding consular backlogs are expected to be a significant obstacle:
- Many posts — especially in India, Nigeria, Colombia, and Turkey — report interview wait times of more than 300 days.
- Some consular sections are still resolving pandemic‑era delays and may struggle with surges in demand as the tournament approaches.
U.S. officials encourage early applications. Travel lawyers advise potential visitors to start the process six to twelve months before their intended trip.
Financial impact on supporters and families
The stakes are high for fans who may have saved for years:
- A family of four needing B1/B2 visas would face a visa bill of $1,740 (4 × $435), excluding flights, hotels, and internal transport.
- For many in lower‑income countries, visa costs may rival or exceed match ticket prices.
- Fans from countries with weaker currencies may find the $250 fee especially burdensome and could opt to watch from home.
Refunds — limited and complicated
One unusual feature: the $250 Visa Integrity Fee is formally refundable in certain cases, but the refund process is complex.
- Visitors can ask for the $250 back if they depart the U.S. within their authorized stay and do not overstay by more than five days.
- The refund can only be requested after the underlying visa has expired, which for many B1/B2 holders could be years after the World Cup trip.
- No detailed procedure or timeline has been published for how refunds will be administered.
Consumer groups question whether most tourists will realistically remember to claim refunds or will find the process practical.
Match tickets vs. immigration — important distinctions
- Holding a valid FIFA ticket does not guarantee a U.S. visa.
- A visa does not guarantee entry at the border; border officers make final decisions case by case.
- Even ESTA approvals under VWP can be revoked at arrival if officials are not satisfied.
Analysts advise supporters to treat their visa — not their ticket — as the critical document, and to avoid non‑refundable travel bookings until the visa is issued.
Health, insurance, and multi‑country travel
- No specific new medical requirements for World Cup 2026 have been announced, but travelers should check for any proof of vaccination rules or insurance obligations that might apply by nationality or host country.
- The U.S. Department of State’s site travel.state.gov updates advice for B1/B2 visa holders and Visa Waiver visitors, including public health rules and security alerts.
- Fans combining U.S. matches with games in Canada 🇨🇦 or Mexico must confirm entry requirements for each country separately.
Impact on U.S. host cities and the final balance
Local businesses — hotels, airlines, restaurants, and tour operators — were expecting a record wave of international visitors. Concerns include:
- Travelers shortening stays, choosing cheaper accommodation, or cutting spending due to higher up‑front costs.
- City officials and tourism boards remain hopeful that strong demand and passionate fans will sustain visits, especially if teams qualify and perform well.
Immigration lawyers and policy specialists note a delicate trade‑off:
– The U.S. seeks stronger visa security and more resources for vetting short‑term visitors.
– But a complex refund system and higher up‑front costs may create the perception that the U.S. is charging fans simply to apply.
For many observers, the real test will arrive in late 2025 and early 2026 — as B1/B2 visa appointment calendars fill and supporters in non‑VWP countries decide whether the time, paperwork, and Visa Integrity Fee are worth the chance to be in the stands when World Cup 2026 kicks off.
This Article in a Nutshell
Starting October 1, 2025, most B1/B2 visa applicants will pay $435—a combined $185 MRV and $250 Visa Integrity Fee, with annual inflation adjustments. The fee targets non‑VWP visitors attending events like World Cup 2026 but faces criticism from travel groups who say it may deter fans and reduce spending in U.S. host cities. Applicants must file the DS‑160, pay fees, and secure an embassy interview; long wait times in countries such as India and Nigeria mean travelers should apply six to twelve months early.
