Published on
November 17, 2025
Italy joins Denmark, Germany, France, Ireland, Spain, Poland, and many more European nations in facing a stringent new U.S. travel visa fee hike for 2026 because US State Department Of States has introduced a steep $435 tourist visa charge — including a two-hundred-fifty-dollar “visa integrity fee” — that dramatically raises the cost of entering the United States ahead of major events like the FIFA World Cup. The sudden spike is reshaping the budgeting plans of thousands of European travelers, many of whom were preparing early for trips to U.S. host cities in 2026. With the new rules set to impact millions across the continent, the change marks one of the toughest shifts in recent U.S. visa policy, creating fresh concerns for families, football fans, students, and holidaymakers who now face higher upfront costs, longer processing expectations, and tighter financial scrutiny at a time when global travel demand is soaring.
As the world eagerly anticipates the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a major issue is emerging for international travelers hoping to visit the United States for the tournament: the cost of obtaining a U.S. tourist visa. The U.S. government has implemented a significant visa fee hike that could affect thousands of World Cup fans. This fee increase is part of a broader visa policy change, and it is likely to complicate travel plans for supporters from countries across Europe. Nations such as Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland are among those affected by the new fee structure, which could be a considerable financial burden for many.
US Visa Fee Hike: A Rising Cost for World Cup 2026 Travelers
The U.S. government’s decision to increase visa fees for travelers from countries that are not part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) has sent shockwaves through the international travel community. For fans hoping to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this means a steeper price tag for obtaining a U.S. tourist visa. The increased fee applies to several types of non-immigrant visas, including the widely used B-1/B-2 visas for tourists, business travelers, and those visiting friends or family.
The new fee structure, which includes a $250 “visa integrity fee,” will see a tourist visa cost a total of $435. This is a stark increase from the previous visa application fee and places a significant strain on travel budgets, particularly for those planning to attend the World Cup, which will take place across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico in 2026.
Many supporters from countries such as Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, who are part of the European Union or European Economic Area, will need to apply for a U.S. tourist visa due to the absence of their inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program for the event. This visa integrity fee is expected to significantly impact their travel plans, making the experience even more expensive.
The Impact on Travel Budgets
For many of these European nations, the financial burden of this increased fee is substantial. The visa application fee hike comes at a time when global travel costs are already rising, with inflation, higher flight prices, and expensive accommodations becoming common challenges for travelers. As a result, the cost of attending the World Cup has now gone up by hundreds of dollars per person, adding an unexpected obstacle to their travel budgets.
Countries like Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, which are expected to send large numbers of football fans to the U.S. for the 2026 tournament, may feel the brunt of this increase. The new fee not only makes attending the World Cup more expensive for fans but could also deter some from making the journey altogether, especially those on tighter budgets or those already facing financial pressures due to other travel-related costs.
The added burden of a higher visa fee could also influence travelers’ decisions on how long they stay in the U.S. during the World Cup. With additional costs for accommodations, food, and travel, some supporters might opt to spend less time in the U.S. or explore other, more affordable destinations for their World Cup experience.
Visa Processing Delays: A Potential Nightmare for Travelers
In addition to the increased visa fees, fans looking to attend the 2026 World Cup must also contend with longer processing times for their visa applications. According to U.S. officials, the current processing times for tourist visas are averaging around 100 days, with some travelers potentially facing even longer delays. This is a major concern for those hoping to secure their visa in time for the tournament, which kicks off on June 11, 2026.
For international travelers from countries such as Sweden, Switzerland, and Portugal, who may have to submit their visa applications months in advance, the delays could lead to stress and frustration as they anxiously wait for their travel documents to be approved. The long waiting periods are especially concerning considering the limited time available to finalize travel arrangements for such a significant event.
For fans from countries like Ireland, Finland, Greece, and Poland, the uncertainty around visa processing could lead to increased anxiety, particularly for those who may be planning travel packages that include flights, accommodations, and match tickets. In some cases, travelers could be forced to delay their travel plans or risk missing out on their World Cup experience altogether if their visa applications are not processed in time.
Not All Countries Are Affected Equally
It’s important to note that not all international World Cup fans will be impacted by the new visa fees. Citizens of countries that are part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) do not need to apply for a tourist visa to enter the United States for short stays. This means that fans from countries like Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland—if they haven’t visited certain countries in the past five years—may be able to travel to the U.S. without the need for a traditional visa. Instead, they can apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which is a much simpler and cheaper process.
However, there is a catch for travelers from VWP countries: if they have visited countries like Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen within the past five years, they will be required to apply for a visa rather than using ESTA. This rule applies to fans from across Europe who may have visited any of these countries and are now facing additional requirements to travel to the U.S. for the World Cup.
Moreover, travelers from countries not on the VWP, such as those from certain parts of Africa or other specific regions, must apply for the U.S. tourist visa and face the new fee hike. This further increases the complexities for global fans wishing to attend the event, especially if they are not aware of the visa requirements in advance.
A New Caveat for VWP Countries: The Visa Bond Pilot Scheme
Furthermore, there’s a caveat for nationals of VWP countries; anyone who has traveled to or been present in specific countries after certain dates must obtain a U.S. visa—even if they are a citizen of a country on the VWP list. The U.S. Department of State has introduced a new rule for nationals of countries on the Visa Waiver Program, stating that if they have visited specific countries in the past five years, they will now be required to apply for a traditional visa rather than using the ESTA system.
The list of countries requiring this additional visa application includes:
AfghanistanCubaIranIraqLibyaNorth KoreaSomaliaSudanSyriaYemen
This rule adds an extra layer of complexity for those who may have visited these countries and are now planning to attend the World Cup in 2026. Fans who have traveled to these nations will need to prepare for the additional time and expense of applying for a U.S. tourist visa rather than using the faster and cheaper ESTA process.
Additionally, a small number of countries may also be subject to an additional fee for a tourist visa under the U.S. Department of State’s new one-year Visa Bond Pilot Scheme, which was launched on October 10, 2025. The Visa Bond Pilot Scheme requires certain countries to pay a U.S. visa bond costing between $5,000 and $15,000.
Countries included in the Visa Bond Pilot Scheme are:
Mauritania (as of October 23, 2025)São Tomé and Príncipe (as of October 23, 2025)Tanzania (as of October 23, 2025)The Gambia (as of October 11, 2025)Malawi (as of August 20, 2025)Zambia (as of August 20, 2025)
The list of U.S. visa bond nations used to include Mali, but the U.S. removed it on October 23 after Mali introduced a reciprocal $10,000 visa bond imposed on U.S. citizens.
These changes are expected to create further complications for fans hoping to attend the 2026 World Cup. Not only will these travelers have to pay the regular visa fees and integrity fees, but they could also be burdened with an additional visa bond fee depending on their country of origin.
The Growing Cost of World Cup Travel
As the U.S. continues to adjust its visa policies, the costs associated with attending global events such as the FIFA World Cup are growing. The addition of the visa integrity fee for U.S. tourist visas, alongside the increased ESTA fee for those from the VWP, means that the total financial commitment for attending the 2026 tournament could be far higher than anticipated for many fans.
With rising visa fees, potential delays, and the already-expensive nature of international travel, many fans may begin to reconsider their plans. For countries like Italy, Spain, and France—where football culture runs deep and the desire to witness the World Cup is strong—the added costs could diminish some of the excitement around attending the event in person.
The Importance of Early Planning and Application
Given the high demand for U.S. tourist visas and the increasing complexity of the visa application process, it is strongly advised that international fans planning to attend the World Cup start their visa applications as soon as possible. With visa processing times already averaging three months or more, travelers must allow plenty of time for their applications to be reviewed and approved. This early planning is particularly crucial for fans from countries such as Germany, Greece, and Portugal, who may need to submit additional documentation or meet specific requirements due to the changes in the visa system.
In addition to applying early, travelers are also encouraged to budget for the full cost of their U.S. tourist visa application, including the new integrity fee, as well as any additional travel expenses. Fans should also be prepared for the possibility of delays and consider alternative travel plans in case they are unable to secure their visas in time.
Countries Affected by US Visa Fee Hike
The following countries are expected to be affected by the U.S. visa fee hike. Fans from these countries may face an increase in the cost of their tourist visa applications:Countries Affected by US Visa Fee HikeFee InformationAustriaVisa Integrity Fee: $435BelgiumVisa Integrity Fee: $435CroatiaVisa Integrity Fee: $435DenmarkVisa Integrity Fee: $435EstoniaVisa Integrity Fee: $435FinlandVisa Integrity Fee: $435FranceVisa Integrity Fee: $435GermanyVisa Integrity Fee: $435GreeceVisa Integrity Fee: $435HungaryVisa Integrity Fee: $435IcelandVisa Integrity Fee: $435IrelandVisa Integrity Fee: $435ItalyVisa Integrity Fee: $435LatviaVisa Integrity Fee: $435LithuaniaVisa Integrity Fee: $435LuxembourgVisa Integrity Fee: $435MaltaVisa Integrity Fee: $435NetherlandsVisa Integrity Fee: $435NorwayVisa Integrity Fee: $435PolandVisa Integrity Fee: $435PortugalVisa Integrity Fee: $435RomaniaVisa Integrity Fee: $435SloveniaVisa Integrity Fee: $435SlovakiaVisa Integrity Fee: $435SpainVisa Integrity Fee: $435SwedenVisa Integrity Fee: $435SwitzerlandVisa Integrity Fee: $435
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, the combination of rising visa fees, lengthy processing delays, and increasing travel costs presents a new challenge for international fans from countries across Europe. Italy, Denmark, Germany, France, Ireland, Spain, Poland, and others will need to navigate the new U.S. visa regulations, factoring these costs and potential delays into their World Cup travel plans.
Italy joins Denmark, Germany, France, Ireland, Spain, Poland, and others in facing a steep U.S. visa fee hike for 2026, as the U.S. State Department increases the tourist visa cost to $435, including a $250 visa integrity fee. This dramatic rise in costs comes just ahead of major events like the FIFA World Cup, complicating travel plans for thousands of European visitors.
While the excitement surrounding the World Cup remains high, these new visa requirements are likely to affect fans’ experiences, making it crucial for them to plan ahead, apply early, and budget accordingly. For many, attending the World Cup in the U.S. will be a dream come true—just one that now comes with a higher price tag and more hurdles to overcome.
