Dubbed "FIFA Pass," it will allow those who have purchased World Cup tickets through FIFA to get expedited visa appointments, as the administration continues to balance President Donald Trump's tough-on-migration stance with an influx of global travellers for the soccer tournament. The ¿pass¿ in the name stands for "prioritised appointments scheduling system"
"If you have a ticket for the World Cup, you can have prioritized appointments to get your visa," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was in the Oval Office with Trump on Monday to explain the new system. Turning to the US president, he added: "You said it the very first time we met, Mr President, America welcomes the world"
Trump said Monday that he "strongly" encourages World Cup travellers to the US to apply for their visas "right away"
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration has dispatched more than 400 additional consular officers around the world to handle the demand for visas, and that in about 80 per cent of the globe, travellers to the US can get a visa appointment within 60 days
Under the new system, those who have bought tickets through FIFA will be allowed to go through a "FIFA portal" that would help get their visa application and interview prioritised at the State Department
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