An internal cable circulated to all U.S. embassies on 4 December instructs consular sections to place visa applications linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and other “showcase sporting events” at the top of their interview-scheduling queues. The directive creates an informal “FIFA Pass” category that consular managers must report on weekly, similar to the mission-critical processing used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The move aims to prevent an Olympic-size repeat of the visa bottlenecks that plagued the 2016 Rio Games. More than 400 additional consular officers are being temporarily assigned to posts in Mexico, Canada, and key fan-source markets such as the U.K., Brazil and Japan. The cable also singles out B-1/B-2 investors “exploring significant U.S. opportunities” for priority handling, part of the administration’s broader push to brand the United States as open for business—even as it tightens other immigration channels.
![‘FIFA Pass’—Consulates Told to Fast-Track Visas for 2026 World Cup Visitors]()
For corporate travel teams, the policy offers a rare bright spot: employees attending World Cup-related meetings or site visits may obtain interview slots faster than standard tourists. However, officers retain discretion to request supplemental documents proving the sporting link, and normal security screening still applies.
Companies planning hospitality programs around the World Cup should begin compiling invitation letters and event credentials now to take advantage of the expedited scheduling. Mobility managers may also wish to advise staff to reference ticket numbers or FIFA credentials directly on the DS-160 application to flag eligibility.
Industry analysts view the directive as a pragmatic acknowledgment that mega-events generate significant economic activity and tourism, but note the tension with simultaneous restrictions on other visa types (for example, the enhanced H-1B vetting announced this week).
The move aims to prevent an Olympic-size repeat of the visa bottlenecks that plagued the 2016 Rio Games. More than 400 additional consular officers are being temporarily assigned to posts in Mexico, Canada, and key fan-source markets such as the U.K., Brazil and Japan. The cable also singles out B-1/B-2 investors “exploring significant U.S. opportunities” for priority handling, part of the administration’s broader push to brand the United States as open for business—even as it tightens other immigration channels.
For corporate travel teams, the policy offers a rare bright spot: employees attending World Cup-related meetings or site visits may obtain interview slots faster than standard tourists. However, officers retain discretion to request supplemental documents proving the sporting link, and normal security screening still applies.
Companies planning hospitality programs around the World Cup should begin compiling invitation letters and event credentials now to take advantage of the expedited scheduling. Mobility managers may also wish to advise staff to reference ticket numbers or FIFA credentials directly on the DS-160 application to flag eligibility.
Industry analysts view the directive as a pragmatic acknowledgment that mega-events generate significant economic activity and tourism, but note the tension with simultaneous restrictions on other visa types (for example, the enhanced H-1B vetting announced this week).
