Heading to the US World Cup? Do You Need A Visa?

The Visa Wavier Program

UK citizens who want to travel to the US to see any of the games do not need a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

A total of 42 countries are part of the VWP, which allows citizens of those nations to stay in the US for up to 90 days for tourism or business. Even if your team makes it all the way to the final, the World Cup lasts less than 40 days, so you will be covered. 

Countries which are a part of the VWP include:

Andorra,  Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark,  France, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg,  Latvia, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino,  Slovenia, South Korea, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.

Applying for a ESTA

However, it is important to realise that although the VWP means no visa is required, you still need to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) before leaving the UK.

The ESTA must be applied for online and is valid for 2 years, or until your current passport expires, whichever comes first. All travellers, including children, must have their own valid ESTA before travelling to the US. 

When applying you will need to provide:

• Valid international passport from your home country
• Date and place of birth
• Your home address and phone number
• A valid email address
• An emergency phone number and email address
• Details of your travel plans and purpose of visit to the US

Processing of the ESTA request can take up to 72 hours for a decision to be made, but you are recommended to apply earlier, especially as it is valid for up to two years, in case there are any issues that could prevent you from travelling. 

The current ESTA application fee is $21

Travelling to Canada or Mexico from the UK or EU?

As this year’s World Cup is being held in multiple countries, there are different requirements if you are planning to watch in Canada or Mexico

Canada requires UK and most EU citizens to apply for a Canadian eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), but the requirements are very similar to the US ESTA. 

Mexico permits UK and EU citizens to enter visa-free for up to 180 days for tourism purposes so you will just need a valid passport.

Who Needs a US Visa for the World Cup?

If you are a citizen of a country not covered by the Visa Waiver Program, you will likely need to apply for a visa to travel to watch the US World Cup games. This applies if you are a citizen of countries such as Nigeria and Argentina. 

In many countries, applying for a visa is a lengthy process, so to help speed up applications from those travelling only to watch their team play in the World Cup, the US government has introduced the FIFA PASS.

Fans who have secured their tickets will be able to book prioritised visa interview slots. When applying for a visa, there is a FIFA PASS option that lets you book a special appointment. 

However, having a ticket does not exempt you from meeting all the standard requirements for a visitor visa. 

“Scheduling an interview appointment via FIFA PASS does not guarantee the visa will be issued,” according to the Department of State.

Adding: “Like all visa applicants, ticket holders must undergo thorough screening and must demonstrate they qualify for a visa.”

What About the US Travel Ban?

It is still unclear how President Trump’s travel ban on issuing visas to citizens of those countries will impact fans and players. 

Many nations on the travel ban list have qualified for the final stage of the tournament, including Algeria, Ghana and Uruguay. 

Technically, fans from the affected countries are still permitted to apply for a B-2 tourist visa, although their applications may be denied.

For players, the uncertainty continues as no work visas are currently being approved by the US immigration services. It is expected that FIFA will have to liaise with the US government to ensure all countries have a full squad taking the field.

How Can IAS Help?

With the World Cup set to kick off on June 11th, it is important you apply as soon as possible, especially as the US has confirmed visa processing delays.

If you are uncertain if you require a visa to travel to the US in June then we can provide personalised advice to ensure you have the correct travel permissions.

At IAS, we can help with document checking and provide step-by-step guidance in making a successful application so you don’t miss any of the sporting action. Contact us at +44 (0)333 414 9244 or online to find out more.