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USA Tourist Visa – Sponsor Documents

The following documents need to be sent from the person who is sponsoring his/her relatives (or anyone else such as friends) to visit the United States. Please send these documents to the person whom you are sponsoring. Do not send it to the US Embassy or Consulate. Please send completed and legible documents. Wherever possible, send computer printed or typed documents to avoid any confusion. Also, please try to send the most current documents. Any documents like an employment letter, pay stubs, bank letter, etc. must be less than 6 months old.

If you are sponsoring multiple people at the same time (such as both of your parents), you should send separate I-134 forms for each person. However, you can just send one set of supporting documents for both of them.

• Form I-134 , Affidavit of Support Form You will need to show that you can financially support your relatives while they are in the US You need to fill a form called “Affidavit of Support form ( I-134 )” for that purpose. One form should be filled for each applicant. So, even though your parents are applying together, you need to send two forms. Some consulates say that if you are applying for a family (such as parents, in-laws, etc.), you have to submit only one I-134 and not for each person. However, there is no harm in providing one for everyone, instead of taking chances. Notary : You do not need to get your Form I-134 notarized. Download Fillable I-134 Step by step guide to complete Form I-134
• Date and nature of employment
• Salary paid
• Whether a position is temporary or permanent Sample employment letter
• Pay Stubs Recent pay stubs. 3 or 4 should be enough.
• Date account opened
• Total amount deposited for the past year
• Present balance
• Average balance last year
• Bank Statements Send the bank statements for the last 6 months. It should have a good balance at least for the last 6 months. Do not deposit money into your bank account the day before to show a big balance, only to withdraw it the next day. You really should have money to show your financial strength to be able to support the people you are sponsoring. While there is no specific guideline to how much money you should have in the bank, it should be enough to take care of all their expenses. Something like $5,000/person should be good enough.
• Letter to the Consulate Letter from yourself stating that you will take care of their expenses in the USA. This letter should be addressed to the US consulate your relatives will be visiting. Sample letter to consulate
• Invitation Letter A personal letter of invitation (free format, but formal; explain here how you will be able to accommodate them in your house and take them around for tourist purposes). One letter should be enough for both of your parents. If your relatives don’t understand English, it may be helpful to send the translation of the letter in your native language because the consular officer may question that your parents might have never read the letter. Sample invitation letter
• Income Tax Documents Copy of the last 3 years of income tax returns and W2s. If you don’t have them, you can request the transcripts from the  IRS . Don’t include state income tax returns. If you have not been in the US for the last 3 years, send the tax returns for the years that you do have. If you did not file a tax return, a written explanation describing why you had no legal duty to file the return is needed. If you filed a late or amended tax return, you should submit evidence of this. If you are self-employed, include self-employment schedules filed with income tax returns or financial records such as a bank statement for the business accounts.
• Your  original  birth certificate . If you are sponsoring your in-laws, your spouse’s  original birth certificate  is required instead. 
• Photocopy of all pages (including blank pages) of your passport. If the US visa is in your old passport, then a photocopy of all pages of the old and new passport is required.
• If you are on an H1 or L1, a copy of the latest  H1/L1 visa approval notice  (I-797 Notice of Action). If you are at an adjustment of status (I-485 stage), send copies of the  I-485 receipt , EAD card and Advance Parole . These may not be required, but it does not hurt to send them. 
• If your US visa has expired, but has a renewed petition, photocopy of the  renewed petition . If your US visa status (such as H, L) has expired, and your employer has filed for an extension, send the I-797 receipt notice. 
• If you are a legal permanent resident in the USA, provide  proof of green card  (front and back).
• If you are a US citizen, provide  proof of US citizenship . 
• Legal Status of Siblings If the parents have more than one child in the US, send the proof of legal status of all the children, in addition to all of the documents described above from the sponsored child. Please look at the list just above to determine what kind of document to provide for a given legal status.
• Spouse Documents If you are sponsoring your spouse’s relatives (such as in-laws), photocopies of all pages (including blank pages) of your spouse’s passport and your  marriage certificate .

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Home » Blog » Visa Sponsorship and How It Works

Visa Sponsorship and How It Works

June 13, 2023 Apply for Green Card Working in the U.S.

In simple terms, visa sponsorship is when a family member or organization advocates for an individual’s visa. As the applicant for a visa, it means you have an advocate that supports your entry to the United States for the purposes stated in the visa. There are a variety of visa types and ways to get sponsored. Generally, sponsorship has a financial component as well.

Immigrant visas are for permanent immigration (green cards). But sponsoring a visa may apply to businesses helping an individual obtain a temporary work visa (such H-1B) or an organization that administers a visitor visa (like J-1).

Visa Sponsorship for Family Employment-Based Visa Sponsors Self-Sponsorship Examples of Visa Sponsorship Getting Started with Family Sponsorship

Visa sponsorship is typically associated with a petition. The U.S.-based person or entity submits a petition on behalf of the foreign national. Once approved, the foreign national is generally able to apply for the desired visa.

Visa Sponsorship for Family

There are a variety of family-based visas for nonimmigrant (temporary) purposes and immigrant (permanent) purposes.

Green Card Sponsorship

Family-based immigration is the most common way to obtain a green card. In fact, over 600,000 people get a green card through a relative each year. Visa sponsorship comes from the petitioning relative but can also come from other sponsors.

The petitioner sponsors the relative by submitting Form I-864, Affidavit of Support , and various supporting documents. If the petitioning relative does not have the financial means to sponsor a family member, someone else will need to step in to support the visa sponsorship. Certain qualifying household members may also contribute their incomes and/or a joint sponsor can submit another Form I-864.

Family-Based Immigration in the United States

K-1 visa sponsorship.

U.S. citizens may also petition a fiancé for the purpose of coming to the United States for marriage. The process begins with a U.S. citizen filing Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Relative with USCIS. The petition establishes there is a qualifying relationship. Once approved by USCIS, the foreign national applies for the K-1 visa through a U.S. embassy or consulate. Part of the K-1 visa application may include financial sponsorship from the U.S. citizen petitioner.

The petitioner submits Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support , to help the visa applicant. The visa sponsorship helps ensure that the K-1 entrant will not become reliant on the government if they do not have adequate funds during the trip.

K-1 Visa Path to a Marriage-Based Green Card

Visitor sponsorship.

Every type of visitor visa has a specific purpose. And once that activity has concluded or the visa expires, the visitor is expected to depart. F-1 students may travel to the U.S. for the purpose of attending school. On the other hand, B-2 visitors may come for tourism, visiting friends and family, and other leisure travel purposes. The U.S. government wants reassurance that visitors can support themselves while they're here and depart when it is time to leave. A visa sponsorship for visitors can help facilitate the approval process.

Generally, the U.S. government does not require a visa sponsorship for B-2 visas. A foreign visitor who has a healthy financial background and who meets the other requirements for visa, can typically obtain a B-2 visitor visa without a sponsor. If a family member or friend is willing to sponsor the visitor, that means that the sponsor has agreed to cover the costs should the visitor no longer have the means to pay. It mitigates the possibility the visitor will become a public charge .

To sponsor a visitor, the supporter prepares Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support . He or she must submit the I-134 declaration, a letter of invitation, and supporting documents as evidence of their financial ability to bear the expenses of the trip.

Employment-Based Visa Sponsors

When American employers are unable to find qualified workers within the United States, various programs enable them to hire workers from outside the U.S. This is a great opportunity for foreign nationals to enter the U.S. for the purpose of employment. These jobs may be short engagements or could provide visa sponsorship for a green card.

Although there are various U.S. work visa types for foreign workers with specialized skills, most focus is on the popular H-1B visa. These visas are temporary and must be renewed regularly. Visa sponsorship means an employer is willing to obtain a work visa for highly-qualified candidates who live outside the United States. It's not a simple process for employers. They must prove that they were unable to fill their vacancies with qualified American workers before sponsoring a visa. When an organization sponsors an employment visa for a new employee, they help complete the application, prepare labor certification paperwork, and act as the petitioner for the visa.

Overview of the H-1B Green Card Process

3 ways to find a sponsor for an employment visa.

For employment-based green cards and work visas, the first step is to connect with potential visa sponsors. But how do you find one? Several databases exist to assist job search candidates like you. These websites may include extensive history on past sponsors, contacts, job types, qualifications and other valuable details.

Self-Sponsorship

Certain individuals may actually petition themselves for a green card. This is an extremely limited group of foreign nationals. To self-petition, the individual files Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, based on inclusion in one of the following categories:

• Widows and Widowers of U.S. Citizens may file if they were not legally separated or divorced from the citizen at the time of his or her death, have not remarried, and that they file the petition within two years of the citizen's death.
• Battered Spouses/Children/Parents may file if they were a victim of violence or extreme cruelty at the hands of a U.S citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or parent or U.S. citizen son or daughter.
• Special Immigrants may file if they are eligible under one of the various groups like religious workers or special immigrant juveniles.

Certain highly-skilled individuals may also self petition for employment-based visas. Generally, self-petitioners do not need a financial sponsor. Refer to the USCIS instructions for specific guidance.

Examples of Visa Sponsorship

There are a variety of USCIS forms to initiate the visa sponsorship process. Some of the common examples include:

Starting the Family Sponsorship

Both U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may start the sponsorship process by filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Although there are additional forms along the way, this is how the process begins.

Ready to start? CitizenPath’s service was designed by immigration attorneys to give you an affordable, reliable way to prepare the petition. You’ll have the ability to prepare Form I-130 from the comfort of your own home knowing that you did everything right. To learn more about pricing and the 100% money-back guarantee, view our  Immigrant Visa Petition Package .

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Visa Sponsorship Explained: A Complete Guide for Visa Applicants and Sponsors

Visa Sponsorship Explained: A Complete Guide for Visa Applicants and Sponsors.

Navigating the complex world of visas can be daunting, and often, the success of a visa application hinges on the role played by a visa sponsor. Whether you’re planning to sponsor someone or seeking sponsorship for your travel, understanding the intricacies of visa sponsorship is crucial. This comprehensive guide aims to demystify the responsibilities, legalities, and processes involved in becoming a visa sponsor.

Who Can Be a Visa Sponsor?

Understanding who qualifies to be a visa sponsor is crucial in the visa application process:

Eligibility Criteria: Typically, a visa sponsor must be a citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the country to which the applicant is seeking entry.

Relationship to the Applicant: Discuss the necessary relationship between the sponsor and the visa applicant, such as a family member or employer.

Financial Requirements: Highlight the sponsor’s need to demonstrate financial stability to support the applicant during their stay.

Types of Visas Requiring Sponsorship

Different visa types require the support of a sponsor:

Family-Based Visas: Explain how family members can sponsor relatives for immigration purposes.

Employment Visas: Discuss how employers act as sponsors for employment-based visas.

Student Visas: Cover the role of educational institutions in sponsoring international students.

Differences in Sponsorship Requirements: Highlight how sponsorship requirements vary across different types of visas.

Financial Responsibilities of a Sponsor

One of the primary roles of a visa sponsor is to ensure the financial stability of the applicant during their stay. This often involves providing an Affidavit of Support , a legally enforceable document that proves the sponsor can financially support the visa applicant. Sponsors need to demonstrate sufficient income or assets to fulfill this obligation.

Legal Obligations and Liabilities

Being a sponsor comes with legal responsibilities:

Enforceability of Sponsorship: Explain how the affidavit of support is a legally binding agreement and the consequences of failing to fulfill its terms.

Responsibility to Ensure Visa Compliance: Discuss the sponsor’s role in ensuring that the visa holder complies with the terms of their visa.

Liabilities in Case of Non-Compliance: Cover potential legal repercussions if the sponsored individual violates visa conditions.

The Process of Becoming a Sponsor

The process of becoming a sponsor involves several important steps:

Filing the Petition: Guide through the initial step of filing a petition on behalf of the visa applicant, such as Form I-130 for family-based visas.

Documentation: List the documents that sponsors need to provide, including proof of income, citizenship, or legal residency.

Verification and Approval Process: Explain the process by which immigration authorities verify the sponsor’s eligibility and financial capacity.

Sponsor’s Role Post-Approval: Discuss the ongoing responsibilities of the sponsor after the visa is approved, including financial support and legal obligations.

Duration of Sponsorship Commitment

Understanding how long a sponsorship commitment lasts is critical for both sponsors and visa applicants:

Varied Duration: The length of the commitment can vary depending on the type of visa. For instance, in family-based immigration, the commitment generally lasts until the immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen or has worked for a certain number of years.

Conditions for Termination: Discuss conditions under which the sponsorship obligation can end, such as the beneficiary gaining citizenship, leaving the country permanently, or fulfilling specific legal work requirements.

Long-Term Implications: Emphasize the importance of understanding the long-term nature of the sponsorship commitment.

Sponsor’s Role in the Application Process

A sponsor plays a crucial part in the visa application process:

• Initial Petition: Detail the sponsor’s responsibility to initiate the process by filing the necessary petition, such as Form I-130 for family-based visas.
• Gathering Documentation: Discuss how sponsors must collect and submit relevant documentation to prove their eligibility and financial capability.
• Assistance and Guidance: Explain how sponsors can assist the beneficiary throughout the process, including preparation for interviews or addressing inquiries from immigration authorities.

Common Challenges Faced by Sponsors

Sponsors may face various challenges, such as changes in financial circumstances or navigating complex immigration laws . Sponsors need to stay informed and seek legal advice when necessary to overcome these challenges.

Sponsorship in Special Circumstances

Sponsors may encounter various challenges during the process:

Financial Burden: Address the potential financial strain, especially if the sponsor is supporting multiple immigrants.

Legal Responsibilities: Discuss challenges related to the legal obligations of sponsorship, including ensuring the immigrant complies with visa conditions.

Navigating Bureaucracy: Offer insight into the complexities of dealing with immigration authorities and processes.

The role of a visa sponsor is pivotal in the visa application process. It requires a deep understanding of legal responsibilities, financial commitments, and the willingness to support the applicant throughout their journey. For those considering taking on this role, it’s a path marked with responsibility and commitment, but it can be incredibly rewarding, paving the way for family reunions, career opportunities, and educational pursuits across borders.

This guide serves as an essential resource for anyone involved in the visa sponsorship process, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle the responsibilities and navigate the complexities of international travel and immigration.

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B1/B2 Visa: Who is your sponsor and what are their income sources?

Embarking on the journey to acquire a US Visitor Visa (B1/B2 Visa) is a process that involves preparation and understanding of the expectations of the visa interview. One significant question that many applicants encounter is, "Who is your sponsor and what are their income sources?". In this guide, we'll simplify this question, explain its significance, and provide a blueprint on how to answer it effectively.

Understanding the Sponsor Question

Before diving into the how-to, it's vital to understand why this question is asked:

Affirmation of Financial Support: The US consulate wants assurance that you or your sponsor can bear your expenses during your stay, preventing you from becoming a financial liability.

Genuine Intent Verification : A reliable sponsor indicates your intention to return after your visit, reducing the risk of overstaying.

Connection with the US : It assesses any ties your sponsor might have with the US, further offering insights into your travel motives.

Steps to Answering "Who is Your Sponsor and What Are Their Income Sources?"

Be Clear & Direct: Clarity is crucial. If you have a sponsor, state their full name and relationship to you. If you're self-sponsored, specify that.

Offer Detailed Income Sources : Describe the primary sources of your or your sponsor's income. This could be a business, a job, investments, etc.

Documentary Proof : Always have relevant documents like bank statements, tax returns, or employment letters as they might be requested for verification.

Maintain Consistency : Ensure your response aligns with the information provided in your visa application to avoid discrepancies.

Example Answers & Contextual Insights

1. Self-Sponsorship:

Answer: "I am sponsoring my trip. I work as a Software Developer at XYZ Corporation, and my primary income source is my salary from this job. Additionally, I have some investments in mutual funds which provide returns annually."

Insight: This answer is straightforward, stating the applicant's occupation and the primary source of income. Mentioning an additional source like investments offers depth and provides a clearer picture of financial stability.

2. Relative as a Sponsor:

Answer: "My brother, John Doe, is sponsoring my trip. He is based in California and works as a Civil Engineer with ABC Constructions. His major income source is his job, but he also has rental income from properties he owns in San Francisco."

Insight: Here, the relationship with the sponsor is defined, followed by details about the sponsor's occupation and income sources. This comprehensive approach ensures transparency.

3. Business or Corporate Sponsorship:

Answer: "I'm being sponsored by my employer, Tech Solutions Pvt. Ltd. The company's primary revenue is from software services rendered to clients globally. They've taken care of all expenses related to this US trip for a tech conference."

Insight: Corporate sponsorships are common for business trips. Specifying the company's primary source of revenue and the reason for sponsorship (like attending a conference) makes the intent of the visit crystal clear.

Potential Variations of the Sponsorship Question

1. "How is your sponsor related to you?"

Approach: Answer directly, describing the relationship, whether familial or corporate.

Example: "She's my maternal aunt."

2. "How does your sponsor earn money?"

Approach: Detail the primary income sources without over-complicating.

Example: "He runs a chain of grocery stores across Texas."

3. "Can you provide proof of your sponsor's income?"

Approach: Affirm and show relevant documents, ensuring they're up-to-date.

Example: "Yes, here's the recent bank statement and income tax returns of my sponsor."

Answering the "Who is your sponsor and what are their income sources?" question during your US Tourist Visa or B1/B2 Visa interview doesn't have to be daunting. By being prepared, offering clear and direct answers, and ensuring your responses are consistent with your application details, you set yourself up for a smooth visa interview experience. Remember, the goal is to assure the US consulate of your genuine intent to visit and the financial capability (either by yourself or through a sponsor) to support your stay.

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Family-based immigrant visas and sponsoring a relative

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you may be able to sponsor a family member for a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card). Learn about the process and who is eligible.

Categories of people eligible for family immigrant visas

Applying for a family-based immigrant visa is the first step in the process for the person you are sponsoring to become a permanent resident. There are two categories of this type of visa:

Immediate relative visas

These visas are for close relatives of U.S. citizens, such as spouses, unmarried children under 21, or parents. An unlimited number of visas are available for this visa category. These visas include:

• IR1 and CR1 for spouses
• IR2 for children
• IR5 for parents

Family preference visas

A limited number of family preference visas are set aside each year for:

• F1 visas unmarried children who are 21 years of age or older
• F3 visas for married children
• F4 visas for siblings
• F2A visas for spouses and unmarried children under age 21
• F2B visas for unmarried children who are 21 years of age or older

Check the U.S. Department of State’s chart of immigrant visa categories to learn more about each category of immediate relative and family sponsored visas .

How to apply for permanent residency for a family member

To sponsor your family member, submit a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-130 . Each person you sponsor needs a separate Form I-130. You can submit the form online or by mail.

The process for your relative to immigrate to the U.S. requires that both you, as the sponsor, and your relative, as the visa applicant, complete the necessary steps.

The process is different depending on whether your family member is already in the U.S. or abroad.

• If your family member is in the U.S. - Learn about Adjustment of Status
• If your family member is outside the U.S. - Learn the steps for Consular Processing

Submitting Form I-130 is the first step of the immigration visa process. Learn what other steps are involved , including:

• National Visa Center (NVC) processing
• Fee payments
• Required supporting documents
• Interview preparation

LAST UPDATED: December 8, 2023

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US Visitor Visa Sponsor Documents – Complete Checklist

A large number of NRIs and OCIs living in the US can sponsor their parents, spouse, relatives and friends in India to visit the United States. The sponsor has to submit certain documents to invite their parents or relatives to the United States. Here are the US visitor visa sponsor documents:

US visitor visa sponsor documents

Here is the checklist of US visitor visa sponsor documents:

• Affidavit of support Form I-134 (US visa sponsor form)
• Letter of invitation addressed to visa applicants
• Letter to US consulate, requesting to grant a visitor visa to the person you are sponsoring.

Financial documents

Below are the financial documents required to demonstrate your financial position as a sponsor:

• Bank statements: Bank statements for the last two months.
• Bank account verification letter as evidence of your bank account and bank balance.
• 1 or 2 recent pay stub copies.
• Copy of recent income tax returns or last few W2 forms. 
• Copy of your personal tax return for self-employed or business owners.

Documents of residency status in USA

• Copy of passport
• If the sponsor is employed in USA, letter of employment
• Copies of your visa, ( H1 / L1 ), H1 approval form (I-797), and I-94 in case of a visa holder sponsor
• If the visa has expired and you have applied for renewal, a photocopy of the renewed petition  
• In the case of a green card holder, a copy of green card front and back.
• In case of a US citizen: Copy of certificate of citizenship

If parents are visiting their children in the USA, sponsoring children must submit the following documents:

• Birth certificate of the sponsoring child
• If the birth certificate is not readily available, get an affidavit
• Copy of passport of the sponsoring child

 Note: If you are sponsoring your in-laws, your spouse will have to submit her/his birth certificate and passport copies. 

H1B visa holders of Indian origin may have several India-related queries. To get tailor-made answers/ solutions, you can download SBNRI App from the Google Play Store or App Store. You can also use the SBNRI app for investment in stock market/ mutual funds, NRI account opening, tax filing, etc. To ask any questions, click on the button below. Also, visit our blog and YouTube channel for more details. 

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A sponsor should send the documents to the applicant and the applicant will carry those documents to the consulate for the interview.

If you are sponsoring your parents or in-laws, you don’t need to send a separate I-134 Form. One form is enough and the same form will have space to provide details.   

There is no predefined limit or set of rules for a minimum balance requirement in your bank account. Your account balance should justify the overall cost involved to support the expenses related to the trip of your dependents. Any amount over $5k to $10k is believed to be sufficient.  

Related posts:

• Complete Guide to US B2 Visa for Foreign Nationals
• A Complete Guide for F1 Student Visa for Study in USA
• Australian Visitor Visa for Indians
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• us visa sponsorship
• us visitor visa sponsor documents

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World Cup 2026: Concerns over fans’ U.S. visa wait times – ‘Your window might already be closed’

Concerns have been raised with the United States government, including an official meeting in the White House, over fears supporters may be deterred from the 2026 men’s World Cup owing to excessive wait times to process visa applications to visit the country.

The tournament begins in 777 days and it will be at least another 18 months before many countries will be assured of qualification, yet the wait times for U.S. visa interviews in two Mexican cities are already in excess of 800 days, while it is 685 days in the Colombian capital of Bogota.

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In a statement to The Athletic , the U.S. Department of State (which oversees international relations) insisted it is determined to reduce wait times but also encouraged supporters in affected countries to start applying for visas now, over two years out from the tournament and with the line-up still unknown.

The 2026 edition of world football’s governing body FIFA ’s flagship tournament will include 48 nations for the first time and will be held in 16 cities in the U.S, Canada and Mexico.

It will also be the first World Cup without an overarching local organising committee, which means FIFA is tasked with pulling everything together, in conjunction with the many layers of stakeholders and bureaucracy across three nations and 16 host cities, each of which have differing levels of private and taxpayer support.

The three host countries also have differing entry criteria for visitors, which has the potential to create visa confusion for fans seeking to follow their team deep into the tournament across multiple borders.

Several host cities, including the location for the final — New York/New Jersey — are also concerned about the wait times for visas, and the potential impact on income from tourism during the tournament, but the cities are currently allowing FIFA and the travel industry to lead the conversations with the government. Some of those who have spoken to The Athletic wished to remain anonymous, owing either to sensitivity around discussions or to protect working relationships.

Travis Murphy is the founder of Jetr Global Sports + Entertainment and a former American diplomat who also once ran international government affairs for the NBA .

“My concern is this could be a disaster (in 2026),” he said. “The concerns are absolutely there on the city level. The cities are thinking, ‘They are FIFA, so they must have it under control.’ But when you realise how FIFA worked in the past with previous hosts in Qatar and Russia, it doesn’t necessarily work in the United States.

“We’re just a completely different animal in terms of how our government operates and how we communicate. And frankly, the emphasis that we place on soccer as a sport in our country.

“If this was the Super Bowl, the World Series or the NBA finals, we’d be having a different conversation. Soccer is not the biggest sport in our country. And I think that’s a fundamental lack of understanding by FIFA, perhaps just taking it for granted that it is the case everywhere in the world. But it’s not yet in the United States.”

In recent months, U.S. travel industry representatives and FIFA have raised concerns with the U.S. Department of State and the White House as the respective groups seek to organise how millions of tourists will enter the U.S. during the five-week tournament in June and July 2026. In January 2024, FIFA strengthened its staff in D.C. when it hired Alex Sopko, the former chief of staff for the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs at the White House, to be its new Director of Government Relations.

In a statement to The Athletic , a FIFA spokesperson said the organisation is working closely with U.S. Government in the planning and preparation for the World Cup, including regular discussions on critical topics such as immigration and visas, and adding it recognises “the urgency of these matters.”

The visa delays ahead of the World Cup were raised in a meeting at the White House on Wednesday, April 17, with senior administration officials in conversation with the United States Travel Association (U.S. Travel).  

Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of U.S. Travel, was present in the meeting. He describes visa wait times as a “massive issue” but added: “We came away confident that the White House recognises the significance of the 2026 World Cup and will take concrete steps to streamline aspects of the travel experience for the more than eight million anticipated visitors.”

Freely available data on the website of the Department of Consular affairs details the lengthy wait times currently impacting visitor visas from markets that may be highly relevant during the World Cup, which begins in 778 days.

Forty-one countries, including much of Europe, Japan, South Korea and Australia, are part of a visa waiver programme — ESTA — to enter the United States, which means citizens of these countries can travel without obtaining a visa, so as long as their trip for tourism or business does not exceed 90 days.

However, many people, estimated by U.S. Travel to represent 45 per cent of those who visit the States, do require visas for entry. These documents, called a B1/B2 visa, also require in-person appointments at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to take digital photographs and fingerprints, as well as an interview, in which the candidate must state their intention to return to their home countries and explain their reasons for visiting the United States.

Wait times for a visa interview at a U.S. consulate in the Mexican cities of Mexico City and Guadalajara are currently 878 days and 820 days respectively, so an application made today may not be approved before the World Cup begins. In the Colombian capital of Bogota, the current wait time is 685 days, while Panama City is 477 days and Quito in Ecuador is 420.

The 2026 World Cup is guaranteed to include the U.S, Mexico and Canada as hosts but five more nations may yet qualify from North and Central America, while up to seven may enter from the South American Football Confederation. Wait times are also dramatic in the Turkish city of Istanbul, where it takes 553 days for an appointment, as well as in Morocco, semi-finalists at the World Cup in 2022, where the wait time is 225 days.

In a statement to The Athletic, the state department said: “We encourage prospective FIFA World Cup visitors who will need U.S. visas to apply now – there is no requirement to have purchased event tickets, made hotel reservations, or reserved airline tickets to qualify for a visitor visa.”

Freeman attributes the current visa delays to the shutdown of consular offices during the coronavirus pandemic but also outlines long-standing issues.

“The U.S. is the world’s most desired nation to visit, but our market share is slipping and it’s in a large part due to long visa wait times,” he said. “If you are Colombian and want to come and bring your kids in 2026, your window might already be closed.”

A World Cup is further complicated because many supporters may wait until their nations have secured qualification to organise their trip. For the Americas, this will largely be in winter 2025 — the play-offs may be as late as March 2026 — while nations will only know the cities in which their teams will be competing following the draw, which is usually held eight months out from the tournament.

During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, visitors were able to expedite their entry into the country by applying for a Hayya card, effectively a fan pass for World Cup ticket holders that acted as a visa for the tournament. A repeat pass is not expected to be approved by the U.S, particularly at a time of global tensions both in the Middle East and following Russia ’s invasion of and continued war against Ukraine .

Freeman warned: “The U.S. is not going to change its visa policies in the short term to frankly cater to FIFA. I think where you may see the U.S. adjust some of its approach is in cooperation with Mexico and Canada . So once teams have qualified within the tournament, how do we streamline their ability to cross borders and attend games in other markets later in the tournament? I believe that’s where there will be greater cooperation and some of those discussions are already taking place.”

The answer may simply be additional staff and investment, such as deploying more consular officers at embassies, a method which has helped significantly reduce wait times from Brazil and India over the past year. Congress set aside $50million for the U.S. State Department to “reduce passport backlogs and reduce visa wait times” in a bill signed into law by U.S. President Joe Biden in March but it was not specified how and where the money will be invested.

There is a precedent for visa issues causing delays at major international sporting events in the United States. Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala, who set the African 100metres record of 9.77 seconds in 2021, only received his visa documentation the day before the men’s 100 metres heats began at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon in 2022.

After securing his visa in Kenya, he took a five-hour flight to Qatar, endured a six-hour layover, then a 14-hour flight to Seattle, another three-hour layover and last of all, a one-hour flight to Oregon. He landed at 4.15 pm and immediately went to the track, where the heats commenced at 6.50pm.

The sprinter said: “If you are hosting a championship, you need to waive (visa requirements) for athletes. It’s a lesson for the host country in the future, and the U.S. is hosting the Olympics in 2028 (in Los Angeles), so they need to learn from this and do better next time.”

Murphy added: “There were hundreds of athletes who were unable to travel. The World Athletics Championships was was a relatively small event compared to the magnitude of what we’re talking about with the 48-team World Cup and the millions and millions of people involved, in terms of what needs to happen.”

Playing rosters are usually only approved in the final months before a tournament, but the U.S. is expected to expedite processing to ensure players and support staff from federations are able to arrive in time for the World Cup.

The U.S. Department of State attributes the issues at World Athletics to the pressures felt by consular officers coming out of the pandemic and told The Athletic that wait times for “P-visas”, generally used by members of professional sports teams coming to participate in athletic competitions, are “low worldwide”.

Murphy said the National Security Council has established a working committee on the matter for the White House but caveated his optimism with a reminder that more instant priorities are Israel, Gaza and Ukraine. He said: “This is not a priority beyond the host cities, FIFA itself and the members of Congress who represent those host cities. But in terms of there being a broad approach that is all-encompassing and has a wide swath of support in Congress, there’s just nothing there. There’s no bills or initiatives in Congress that are focused on this.”

He added: “The conversations that needed to have started a year plus ago are not at a point where they need to be. And when you’re talking about the U.S. Government, it is essentially at a state of standstill in terms of any major movement that needs to happen from now until November of this year (when there is a Presidential election).”

The Department of State insisted it is “committed to facilitating legitimate travel to the United States while maintaining high national security standards.”

Its statement continued: “We are pleased to be an active participant in a working group with FIFA and other stakeholders on plans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Bureau of Consular Affairs recognizes the importance of international inbound tourism, including for mega sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup, and is working tirelessly to facilitate secure travel to the United States. We have significantly reduced visa wait times over the past two years.”

One of the peculiarities of the U.S. political system is that there is no sports ministry to facilitate such discussions. In its absence, Murphy calls for a special envoy to be appointed, with the World Cup likely to be followed by the women’s edition in 2027 before the Olympics in LA in 2028.

He said: “There has to be somebody centralised to organise those conversations. That’s relatively easy to do. If it’s somebody that has the respect and attention of the cabinet agencies, they can have a conversation with Capitol Hill and that’s going to go a long way to getting things done.”

(Top photo: Patrick Smith/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Adam Crafton covers football for The Athletic. He previously wrote for the Daily Mail. In 2018, he was named the Young Sports Writer of the Year by the Sports' Journalist Association. His debut book,"From Guernica to Guardiola", charting the influence of Spaniards in English football, was published by Simon & Schuster in 2018. He is based in London.

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I-134, Declaration of Financial Support

Use this form to agree to provide financial support to a beneficiary of certain immigration benefits for the duration of their temporary stay in the United States.  You must file a separate Form I-134 for each beneficiary.

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