B-1/B-2 Visa for the 2026 World Cup: Current Wait Times and What You Need to Know

The 2026 World Cup kicks off on June 11, and U.S. consulates in Brazil continue operating with extensive appointment backlogs for tourist visa interviews. Those who don’t yet have a visa and plan to attend games at eleven stadiums on U.S. soil face a real risk of not securing an appointment in time. The State Department has issued warnings urging fans to begin the process as soon as possible, as the wait time between fee payment and interview can exceed one year at some Brazilian consular posts.

Why Demand Has Surged

This edition of the tournament is the first contested by 48 teams and the first held across three host nations: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Of the 104 matches scheduled, 78 will take place on U.S. soil, spread across Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. FIFA estimates that more than five million foreign fans will travel to the United States during the tournament, placing enormous strain on the consular system — which was already backlogged due to post-pandemic demand.

The group draw took place in December 2025, confirming match locations and triggering a new wave of appointment requests at the consulates in Brasília, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo.

The Right Visa: B-1/B-2

To attend games as a tourist, Brazilian nationals need a B-1/B-2 visa — the category combining tourism and short-term business visits. There is no special FIFA, CBF, or sponsor visa that replaces the B-1/B-2 for the general public. Those who already hold a valid visa may use it normally; those who have never obtained one, or whose visa has expired, must complete the full consular process before traveling.

Brazilians are not part of the Visa Waiver program, meaning even a short layover in the United States requires a visa. Entry with a boarding card or direct airside transit at the airport also does not waive the requirement in most scenarios.

Current Wait Times at Brazilian Consulates

The wait-time dashboard maintained by the State Department shows significant variation across Brazilian posts. As of April 2026, the queue for a first tourist visa interview exceeds one year at São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the highest-demand posts. Brasília, Recife, and Porto Alegre tend to have shorter wait times — still measured in months, however. Interview-waiver renewals are considerably faster, typically completed within a few weeks, and should be the first option for eligible applicants.

Those who leave the application for the months immediately preceding the tournament are unlikely to secure an interview in time. The consular guidance is clear: apply now, even without a flight booked.

Costs and Process Steps

The process follows the standard flow. The applicant fills out the DS-160 form on the State Department’s official website, pays the MRV fee of US$185, and schedules two consecutive appointments: biometrics collection at the Visa Application Center (VAC) and the interview at the consulate. The MRV fee is non-refundable, even in the case of a denial.

Applicants may schedule at any of the five consulates, and in some cases it may be strategic to travel to a post with a shorter queue. Basic documentation includes a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay, proof of ties to Brazil (employment, studies, family, property), and evidence of sufficient funds to cover the trip.

Interview-Waiver Renewal

Those who held a B-1/B-2 visa issued within the last 48 months — whether still valid or expired within that window — are generally eligible for a drop-box renewal, without a new in-person interview. The applicant fills out the DS-160, pays the MRV fee, and drops off their passport and documents at the VAC. This route is considerably faster and should be prioritized by eligible applicants.

Recent changes to the interview-waiver eligibility criteria require attention: name changes, a change in visa category, or prior denials may disqualify the option, sending the applicant back to the in-person interview queue.

How to Reduce the Risk of Denial

The consular interview assesses, above all, the traveler’s intent to return to Brazil at the end of their trip. The burden of proof lies with the applicant, as established by Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Presenting clear evidence of employment, family ties, studies, or business interests in Brazil is central to interview preparation.

For the World Cup, providing an itinerary with match schedules, tickets purchased through the official FIFA platform, and hotel reservations helps demonstrate a legitimate purpose. The consular officer has broad discretion to grant or deny the visa, and honest, consistent answers that align with the DS-160 make a difference.

What to Expect at the Border

Even with a visa in hand, admission into the United States requires additional approval from a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry. The officer determines the exact length of authorized stay and records the admission in the electronic I-94. For B-1/B-2 visas, the maximum period is typically six months — sufficient to cover the entire tournament plus time before and after. Fans should retain their I-94 record and respect the departure deadline to avoid jeopardizing future visa applications.

Bringing printed or digital tickets, hotel confirmations, and sufficient funds for the trip avoids unnecessary questioning. The practical advice for those who have not yet started the process is straightforward: schedule an appointment immediately, consider consulates with shorter queues, and have all documentation ready for the interview. With little more than a month left before the World Cup begins, time is the scarcest resource for anyone who still hopes to be in the stands.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.