2026 World Cup: U.S. waives visa bond for some fans
U.S. will exempt some foreign fans from a visa bond of up to $15,000 imposed on travelers from several countries subject to enhanced screening.
Visa-free travel, personal data and ESTA: Where do U.S.-EU talks stand?
The European Union and the United States are discussing a new information-sharing framework tied to preserving U.S. visa-free travel. At the same time, Washington is also considering changes to ESTA, although the timeline initially outlined now appears more uncertain.
U.S.: what is the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app for?
The Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app is one of the digital tools the United States is promoting to modernize border processing. But what does it actually do, and which travelers can benefit from it?
2026 World Cup in the U.S.: Gianni Infantino seeks to reassure fans on visas
As the 2026 World Cup draws closer, Gianni Infantino says fans from around the world must be able to travel to the United States. The FIFA president pointed to ongoing discussions with the three host countries and highlighted the existence of an expedited process for certain travelers who already have match tickets.
U.S. expands visa restrictions in the Western Hemisphere
Washington on April 16, 2026, announced an expansion of its visa restriction policy in the Americas. The measure targets foreign nationals accused of acting from countries in the region on behalf of U.S. adversaries.
2026 World Cup in the U.S.: major tourism upside, if America is ready
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, a study highlighted by the U.S. Travel Association points to major tourism and economic potential for the United States. But according to the organization, that promise will only materialize if the country can reassure travelers about entry procedures, safety, and overall visitor readiness.
U.S.: ESTA portal now applies stricter checks to applicant selfies
A subtle change was introduced this week on the official U.S. ESTA application portal. Though technical in appearance, it affects what has now become a central element of the system’s logic: traveler identification.
U.S.: 12 additional countries subject to visa bonds of up to $15,000
The U.S. has expanded the list of nationalities that may be required to post a bond to obtain a B1/B2 visa. Twelve additional countries will be added as of April 2, bringing the total number of countries covered by this pilot program to 50, an initiative Washington is highlighting as a tool to combat visa overstays.
The European Data Protection Board raises concerns with Brussels over proposed ESTA reforms
The European Data Protection Board has sent a letter to the European Commission expressing concerns about changes being considered by U.S. authorities to the operation of the ESTA system. The body believes that some of the new data collection requirements could raise important questions regarding the protection of European travelers’ personal data.
U.S.: Hawaii raises concerns over tourism impact of possible ESTA tightening
As U.S. authorities consider expanding the information required from travelers under the ESTA system, a Hawaii representative is warning about the potential consequences for destinations that depend on international tourism.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the U.S. celebrates the “tremendous success” of the ESTA system
The prospect of the 2026 World Cup is driving a sharp increase in ESTA applications for visa-free travel to the United States. U.S. authorities report that, between October and December 2025, they approved more than one million authorizations for nationals of countries qualified for the competition.
ESTA reform: U.S. Embassy in France confirms current requirements remain in place and clarifies timeline for possible changes
While several recent reports incorrectly announced that new ESTA application requirements had taken effect as of February 9, 2026, the U.S. Embassy in France has issued an official clarification. The proposed changes, including the possible requirement to provide social media identifiers, remain under review and could, at the earliest, be implemented starting in mid-2026, according to a projected timeline.
U.S.: ESTA application requirements have not (yet) changed
Since this weekend, several media outlets have claimed that new information is now required to enter the United States under the ESTA authorization, including the disclosure of social media histories or more detailed family data. A careful reading of the official document, however, shows that these changes are not yet in effect and are still subject to a preliminary public consultation.
US: proposed tightening of ESTA rules raises concerns across the international tourism sector
Commissioned by the World Travel & Tourism Council, a large-scale international survey highlights the potentially deterrent effects of proposed changes to U.S. entry requirements under the ESTA program. The planned requirement to provide social media information could discourage some international travelers and place a significant burden on the U.S. tourism economy.
2026 World Cup: The US launches the FIFA PASS priority visa appointment system for fans
Just over four months before kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, U.S. authorities, in coordination with FIFA, are today launching an unprecedented priority appointment system for visa applications. Known as FIFA PASS, the program is designed to facilitate entry into the United States for international ticket-holding fans, while fully maintaining standard screening and security procedures.
