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| APYonhap News |
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| APYonhap News |
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Is the World Cup a business for U.S. President Donald Trump.
If you purchase tickets to the 2026 North Korea-China World Cup finals, you will receive preferential treatment for interview reservations for U.S. visas. Introducing the FIFA World Cup pass at the White House on the 18th (Korea time), President Trump said that `Visa interviews will be given priority to those who purchase tickets through FIFA Pass.'
The United States is implementing both ESTA (electronic travel permit system) and travel (B2) visa systems. Some countries, including Europe, Japan, and Australia, including South Korea, can issue ESTAs that allow people to travel to the United States without a visa for up to 90 days. However, citizens of countries not covered by this system must obtain a B2 visa issued through interviews with the U.S. Embassy to travel to the U.S. ESTA can be issued within a few days unless there is a special problem, but B2 visas have to wait a considerable amount of time. According to the release from the U.S. State Department, the waiting period for the B2 visa interview is at least six months. The BBC reported 'The average waiting period for visa interviews in Mexico City is 9 months, and in Colombia it takes 11 months. If this continues, some fans will see the World Cup winners already decided before they get their visas,' he said. The waiting period for the B2 visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in Korea varies depending on the time, but it is known that it takes at least three months.
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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As the U.S. enters the Trump administration, the difficulty of overseas travelers to the U.S. has risen sharply as the U.S. strengthens its immigration policy citing ESTA and visa abuse. Therefore, there were concerns about those who could not step on the U.S. soil even after buying tickets for the North Korea-China World Cup finals in June next year. Although the North Korea-China World Cup will be co-hosted with the United States, Mexico and Canada, some pointed out that such a policy will eventually serve as a bad box office hit with most games being held in the United States.
U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio said `World Cup tickets are not visas and do not guarantee entry into the United States.' The World Cup ticket holders will also proceed with the screening like everyone else. The only difference is that it advances the waiting order.'
Despite this, FIFA has a positive atmosphere. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said `If you are a legitimate soccer fan who purchased tickets through FIFA Pass, you will have the best experience from obtaining a visa to watching it.' FIFA issued 'Fan ID' to those who purchased tickets through FIFA Pass at the 2018 Russia Games and 2022 Qatar Games and used them as visa substitute.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
