US World Cup visa processing sidelines international students

Key points

• As the US enters peak student visa processing season, policy experts have likened the administration’s prioritisation of FIFA World Cup visas to last year’s visa interview freeze – with fears growing about further enrolment declines next academic year.
• “In the past, the Department of State’s practice was to prioritise international student visa processing …
• Now, they are pulling away from that and prioritising other visas, specifically for upcoming sporting events,” said Zuzana Cepla Wootson, deputy director of federal policy at the Presidents’ Alliance.
• Earlier this year, the US government announced the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (PASS), granting priority visa interviews to World Cup visitors, while F-1 and J-1 visa applicants have been pushed to the bottom of the list, experts said.
• Speaking with The PIE News at the NAFSA 2026 conference, Cepla Wootson said the practice was “very concerning” for the sector, predicting international enrolment drops in future years...