The sticker price for a U.S. World Cup visa just jumped. In October 2025, Congress signed the Visa Integrity and Border Security Fee into law, which added a mandatory $250 charge on top of the existing $185 visa application fee. For most non-VWP fans, that means budgeting around $435 just to enter the country, and that is before flights, accommodation, and match tickets.

This breakdown covers what you will actually pay by visa category and when you pay it. It includes the bad news: the new $250 fee applies to most nonimmigrant visas and is non-refundable even if your visa is denied. For the full picture, see how World Cup travelers face the $435 visa and integrity fee, and read our step-by-step U.S. visa guide for the application process.

Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) cost

ESTA costs $40 as a one-time fee. It covers two years of travel and multiple entries, so if you have not needed a U.S. ESTA before, this covers not just the World Cup but future trips. The $40 is paid online at the time of application and is non-refundable, though an ESTA denial is rare (around 1-2% of applications are denied).

B1/B2 visitor visa cost: the breakdown

When you pay: The $185 is paid to the U.S. State Department when you submit your DS-160 application. The $250 is collected when the visa is issued, not at application, so you only pay it if your visa is approved. If denied, you lose only the $185.

The integrity fee is non-refundable: Congress made clear that the $250 fee is tied to the issuance of the visa itself, not to your compliance. Leaving on time, following the law, and returning home on schedule do not earn you a refund. Violating your status (like overstaying) does not get the fee back either, it is simply gone.

Other World Cup entry costs to budget for

Canada eTA: CAD 16 (about $12 USD) for two years of travel. Paid at application. Non-refundable if denied, but eTA approvals are rare to deny (over 99%).

Canada Temporary Resident Visa (TRV): CAD 100 (about $75 USD) for a processing fee, plus biometric fees if required. Paid at application, non-refundable if denied. No additional fee is collected at approval.

Mexico FMM (tourist card): MXN 983 (about $57 USD) by air, free by land for stays of seven days or fewer. Paid at airline check-in or at the border, non-refundable.

Total entry cost for different fan profiles

Fan from UK (Visa Waiver Program), attending only U.S. matches: $40 ESTA. Done.

Fan from Brazil (B1/B2 visa required), attending only U.S. matches: $435 B1/B2 visa ($185 application + $250 integrity fee).

Fan from India (B1/B2 + TRV required), attending matches in U.S. and Canada: $435 B1/B2 + ~$75 Canada TRV = approximately $510.

Fan from Spain (Visa Waiver, eTA, FMM), attending matches in all three countries: $40 ESTA + $12 Canada eTA + $57 Mexico FMM = $109.

The range is enormous. A Spanish fan can attend World Cup matches across all three countries for $109. A Brazilian or Indian fan attending the same tournament pays $435 to $510 just for entry authorizations, before flights and tickets.

Why the integrity fee was added

The Visa Integrity and Border Security Fee was signed into law as part of the broader immigration-reform spending bill, aimed at funding border security operations and discouraging visa overstays. The government chose nonimmigrant visas (tourists, workers, students) as the revenue source, not immigrant visas (green-card applicants). World Cup fans caught in this timing pay the price.

Budget now

If you are a non-VWP fan, expect to spend between $435 and $500 just to enter the U.S., before any other World Cup expenses. Plan accordingly, and do not let the fee surprise you at the moment you are approved for your visa. It is real, it is non-refundable, and it is already in effect.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a B1/B2 visa cost for the 2026 World Cup?

The MRV application fee is $185 (non-refundable). The Visa Integrity Fee is $250 (collected at issuance, non-refundable if you use the visa). Total: $435 if approved.

What is the new $250 Visa Integrity Fee?

Congress signed it into law in October 2025 as part of border-security funding. It applies to most nonimmigrant visas and is collected when the visa is issued, not at application.

Is the $250 integrity fee refundable if I don’t use my visa?

No. The fee is non-refundable once the visa is issued. If you get denied, you only lose the $185 application fee.

Do I pay the integrity fee if my visa is denied?

No. You pay only the $185 application fee if denied. The $250 integrity fee is collected only upon approval and issuance.

How much does Canada’s eTA cost?

CAD 16 (about $12 USD). It is valid for two years and covers multiple entries.

How much does Canada’s visitor visa (TRV) cost?

The processing fee is CAD 100 (about $75 USD), plus biometric fees if required. Paid at application, non-refundable if denied.

How much does Mexico’s FMM (tourist card) cost?

MXN 983 (about $57 USD) by air, usually added to your airline ticket. Free by land for stays of 7 days or fewer.

What is the cheapest way to visit all three World Cup host countries?

If you are from a Visa Waiver country: ESTA $40 + eTA $12 + FMM $57 = $109. Non-VWP fans: add B1/B2 ($435) and/or TRV ($75) for a much higher cost.