DOS Updates List of Countries Subject to Visa Bonds to Clarify Exceptions for FIFA World Cup
- Jeannette Golubovic
- May 19
- 2 min read
DOS updated its list of countries subject to the visa bond pilot program to include guidance related to FIFA World Cup travelers. Under the updated policy, DOS will waive visa bond requirements for certain nationals of countries participating in the World Cup, including eligible athletes, team personnel, and ticket holders who meet specified requirements.
The Department of State has identified nationals from these countries as needing visa bonds. The implementation dates are in parentheses:
Algeria (January 21, 2026)
Angola (January 21, 2026)
Antigua and Barbuda (January 21, 2026)
Bangladesh (January 21, 2026)
Benin (January 21, 2026)
Bhutan (January 1, 2026)
Botswana (January 1, 2026)
Burundi (January 21, 2026)
Cabo Verde (January 21, 2026)
Cambodia (April 2, 2026)
Central African Republic (January 1, 2026)
Cote D’Ivoire (January 21, 2026)
Cuba (January 21, 2026)
Djibouti (January 21, 2026)
Dominica (January 21, 2026)
Ethiopia (April 2, 2026)
Fiji (January 21, 2026)
Gabon (January 21, 2026)
The Gambia (October 11, 2025)
Georgia (April 2, 2026)
Grenada (April 2, 2026)
Guinea (January 1, 2026)
Guinea-Bissau (January 1, 2026)
Kyrgyz Republic (January 21, 2026)
Lesotho (April 2, 2026)
Malawi (August 20, 2025)
Mauritania (October 23, 2025)
Mauritius (April 2, 2026)
Mongolia (April 2, 2026)
Mozambique (April 2, 2026)
Namibia (January 1, 2026)
Nepal (January 21, 2026)
Nicaragua (April 2, 2026)
Nigeria (January 21, 2026)
Papua New Guinea (April 2, 2026)
Sao Tome and Principe (October 23, 2025)
Senegal (January 21, 2026)
Seychelles (April 2, 2026)
Tajikistan (January 21, 2026)
Tanzania (October 23, 2025)
Togo (January 21, 2026)
Tonga (January 21, 2026)
Tunisia (April 2, 2026)
Turkmenistan (January 1, 2026)
Tuvalu (January 21, 2026)
Uganda (January 21, 2026)
Vanuatu (January 21, 2026)
Venezuela (January 21, 2026)
Zambia (August 20, 2025)
Zimbabwe (January 21, 2026)
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