News Update · FIFA World Cup 2026 · FIFA PASS
State Department Updates FIFA PASS Guidance: Four Things That Changed
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup now underway and matches running through July 19, the U.S. Department of State has released expanded FAQ guidance on the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS). The updated guidance clarifies four specific points that were previously unclear — including eligibility for family members, what happens when a ticket is sold, home-country appointment rules, and the interaction between FIFA PASS and existing travel restrictions.
This is a news update to our full FIFA World Cup visa and travel guide. If you're new to FIFA PASS or need the full picture on B1/B2 visas, travel bans, and the visa bond program, see the complete guide linked below.
What the Updated State Department FAQ Clarifies
The updated guidance does not create new visa categories or change any eligibility standard. It answers four specific questions that fans, attorneys, and consular posts have been raising since the tournament began:
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Family Members May Use FIFA PASS Appointments
Spouses and minor children of eligible ticket holders may now use FIFA PASS priority appointments — provided they attend the consular interview together with the ticket holder. This extends priority scheduling access beyond the primary ticket purchaser to the immediate family unit traveling with them.
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Selling or Transferring Your Ticket Does Not Revoke Your Visa
A visa issued following a FIFA PASS appointment will not be revoked if the traveler later sells, transfers, or is otherwise separated from their World Cup ticket. The State Department confirmed that visa eligibility is based on the applicant's personal qualifications — not continued ownership of the ticket that triggered the priority appointment. This is a meaningful clarification: fans who sell or exchange tickets after receiving their visa do not lose that visa as a result.
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FIFA PASS Is Generally Available Only in Your Home Country
FIFA PASS priority appointments are generally available only to applicants applying at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or habitual residence. Most travelers cannot use the program to obtain a priority appointment at a third-country consular post. This confirms what many practitioners suspected: applicants who are traveling or living outside their home country cannot simply apply at a nearby post to access the priority scheduling benefit.
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The January 2026 Immigrant Visa Pause Does Not Affect World Cup Visas
The State Department confirmed that a January 2026 pause affecting immigrant visa issuance for nationals of certain countries does not apply to tourist visas (B1/B2), athlete visas, media visas, or other nonimmigrant visa categories associated with World Cup travel. This distinction — which our original guide addressed — is now formally confirmed in official FAQ guidance. Fans from countries affected by the immigrant visa pause who hold or are applying for a B1/B2 tourist visa are not affected by that pause.
The updated guidance reconfirms the point most critical for affected fans: FIFA PASS does not waive or override existing travel restrictions and entry bans. Nationals of countries subject to B1/B2 visa suspension remain subject to those restrictions even if they hold a valid FIFA PASS appointment. The athlete and coaching staff exemption in the relevant presidential proclamations applies specifically to athletes, coaches, and necessary support personnel — and their immediate relatives — traveling for the tournament. That exemption does not extend to fans or spectators from banned countries.
As of the tournament's opening, four of the 48 qualified national teams — Haiti, Iran, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal — include nationals subject to travel restrictions. Most fans from these countries cannot attend U.S. host city matches regardless of FIFA PASS status.
What FIFA PASS Still Does and Does Not Do
The new guidance does not change the fundamental nature of FIFA PASS — it remains a priority scheduling tool, not a visa waiver or approval guarantee. Every FIFA PASS applicant still undergoes the complete standard visa application process: Form DS-160, the $185 MRV fee, biometrics, a consular interview, and all standard security screening and background checks.
Priority scheduling means an earlier interview slot — not a different legal standard, a shortened review process, or any preferential treatment in the adjudication itself. A consular officer evaluates a FIFA PASS applicant under the exact same standard as any other B1/B2 applicant. Nonimmigrant intent under INA §214(b) must still be demonstrated. A World Cup ticket — with or without FIFA PASS — is not proof of intent to return home.
The standard FIFA PASS opt-in window has closed. Fans who missed the April 15, 2026 deadline for the bond waiver associated with FIFA PASS, or who have not yet enrolled, should contact their local U.S. embassy directly about available appointment options. The State Department added over 400 additional consular officers globally to handle World Cup visa demand, and some appointment availability may still exist — though it varies significantly by post and the tournament's group stage is already underway.
Still Working on a World Cup Visa?
If you're navigating a late B1/B2 application, a travel restriction question, or the visa bond requirement for the World Cup, our attorneys can help assess your specific situation and options at this stage of the tournament.
Request a Free Evaluation Read the Full Guide- U.S. Department of State — Updated FIFA PASS FAQ (June 2026)
- U.S. Department of State — FIFA World Cup 2026 Visa Information (Main Page)
This article is a news update and is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Visa eligibility and travel restriction status are fact-specific and subject to change. Please consult with a qualified immigration attorney before making any travel decisions.