African Fans Face World Cup Issues Despite Visa Bond U-Turn
Even after the United States dropped a planned high visa bond for African visitors, thousands of fans still face practical obstacles to travel for the World Cup. Appointment dates, fees and flight connections top the list of concerns.
The US administration's decision in February to drop a planned high visa bond for African visitors was initially welcomed as a relief. But BBC interviews in Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa show fans still face significant obstacles to attending the World Cup. The most frequent issue cited is consular appointments now being scheduled months away.
Both federal and state-level US visa fee hikes have pushed costs for a typical African fan to between $800 and $1,200. The reduced number of direct transatlantic flights also forces travellers onto routes requiring transit visas. Some federations say FIFA should arrange a "guest gate" framework for ticket-holders.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he is in talks with US authorities to safeguard fan mobility. Yet in African capitals where consular capacity is limited, application waiting times can reach as long as nine months. The World Cup begins on 11 June.
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