Can foreign visitors still attend the 2028 Olympics in the US?

As Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Olympic Games, President Donald Trump's immigration policies are raising concerns about who will be able to attend. While athletes and officials will receive exemptions from the travel ban and visa restrictions, ordinary fans and visitors from many countries could face new hurdles—including high visa bonds and limited port entries. These developments come even as the U.S. promotes the Games as a global celebration.

Below is a breakdown of how the Trump administration’s visa measures could affect the Olympics:

Will athletes be allowed to enter the US despite the travel ban?

Yes. Athletes participating in the Olympic Games and the 2026 FIFA World Cup are exempt from the travel ban. The White House stated, “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics” will be allowed entry.


Athletes usually enter on visas meant for elite sportspersons.

A task force has been announced to streamline visa and credentialing procedures for athletes, coaches, officials, and accredited media.

Will fans from banned or restricted countries be allowed to attend?

No. Fans from countries under the travel ban or visa restrictions must follow the current rules.
The State Department said, “We encourage prospective foreign travelers who will need US visas to travel to the 2028 Olympics to apply early.”

What are the new visa rules for some countries?

Beginning August 20, the US will start a one-year pilot program requiring travelers from Malawi and Zambia to post a bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 during their visa interview. This applies to business (B1) and tourist (B2) visa applicants.

Are there restrictions on where these travelers can enter and exit?

Yes. Travelers under this pilot must arrive at and depart from one of the following airports:

• Boston Logan International Airport
  
• John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York
  
• Washington Dulles International Airport
  

The bond is meant to discourage overstays. These countries were selected based on Department of Homeland Security data showing high visa overstay rates.

Which countries are currently under a full travel ban?

Travel to the US is banned for citizens of:

• Afghanistan
  
• Myanmar
  
• Chad
  
• Republic of Congo
  
• Equatorial Guinea
  
• Eritrea
  
• Haiti
  
• Iran
  
• Libya
  
• Somalia
  
• Sudan
  
• Yemen

Which countries face partial restrictions?

Restrictions without a full ban are in place for:

• Burundi
  
• Cuba
  
• Laos
  
• Sierra Leone
  
• Togo
  
• Turkmenistan
  
• Venezuela

What does this mean for the tourism economy?

The State Department has pointed out that the travel and tourism sector supports nearly 10 million jobs in the US. Despite that, the administration is proceeding with measures that may discourage foreign spectators from attending the Olympics.