The administration of US President Donald Trump has issued fresh directives to embassies and consulates worldwide instructing them to prioritise visa applications from foreigners who plan to attend major sporting events in the United States or make substantial business investments, even as it tightens scrutiny over skilled-worker visas.
Under the new guidance, visa applications from individuals seeking to attend globally prominent sporting events — including the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics — will be processed ahead of many other routine travel requests. The aim appears to be ensuring smoother access for “sports fans” to events that the administration deems showcases of American public life and influence.
The directive expands on an earlier initiative under the name “FIFA Pass,” which had been introduced for World Cup–related travel. Under the current order, the expedited visa process is generalized: not only World Cup travellers, but those headed to any major sporting events — or involved in large-scale investments — are apparently eligible for fast-track processing.
At the same time, the administration has introduced stricter criteria for granting visas under the specialised worker visa category H-1B visa — a visa widely used by US companies to hire foreign professionals, many from India and other countries.
According to a cable circulated to US diplomatic missions, consular officers have been instructed to scrutinize the backgrounds of H-1B applicants — including resumes, employment history, social media, and public writings — to detect any evidence of involvement in what the administration defines as “censorship” of Americans. Those found to have “directed or participated in the suppression of protected expression” — including through content moderation or related work — may now be declared ineligible for visas.
The announcement comes in the wake of a substantial increase in the application fee for H-1B visas, which as of September 2025 now includes a one-time payment of USD 100,000 under a proclamation signed by President Trump. Officials say this enhanced vetting regime applies to both new applicants and those seeking renewals.
The contrasting moves — expedited visas for sports fans and investors, and tighter screening for skilled-worker applicants — reflect a recalibration of US immigration policy under the Trump administration, signalling a shift in priorities. While the faster track for event-goers can facilitate tourism and global engagement via major cultural and sporting fixtures, the new restrictions on H-1B visas have raised concerns in global business and technology circles, where many firms rely heavily on international talent.
For thousands of potential visa applicants worldwide — including professionals from India — the new rules mean that success will increasingly depend not only on qualifications and job offers, but also on social-media history, past employment roles, and perceived involvement in content-moderation work. Meanwhile, sports fans and wealthy investors appear to find themselves at a relative advantage under the revised visa policy.
