US expands visa ban exemptions to allow athletes, officials into country for Olympics, World Cup

The United States has expanded exemptions to its visa travel ban to cover athletes and officials linked to major international and domestic sporting events, President Donald Trump’s administration announced this week.

The Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup have been added to the list of events whose participants are exempt from the travel restrictions, as per a Reuters report. The decision follows a State Department communication to US embassies and consulates outlining the updated exemption list.

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Who qualifies for the exemption

Events hosted by the International Military Sports Council, the International University Sports Federation, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and competitions organised by US professional sports leagues are also covered.

According to the Reuters report, the expanded list includes the Paralympic Games, Pan-American Games, Para Pan-American Games and the Special Olympics. The administration said other leagues and events could be added later.

Earlier this week, the State Department informed embassies and consulates that athletes, coaches and support staff linked to these events would be exempt from the visa ban, which applies to the Palestinian Authority and 39 countries.

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Limits remain for other travellers

The exemption does not apply to all travellers connected to sporting events. Media personnel, fans and corporate representatives from countries under the ban will not be allowed to enter the United States unless they qualify under separate exemption rules.

“Only a small subset of travelers for the World Cup, Olympics and Paralympics and other major sporting events will qualify for the exception,” the cable sent to US embassies and consulates stated.

The administration said the exemptions are aimed at allowing selected sporting events to proceed while broader travel restrictions remain in place.