The United States gives priority to visa applications by investors and fans visiting the World Cup and Olympics

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has instructed U.S. embassies and consulates around the world to give priority to visa applications from foreigners wanting to visit the United States to either invest in America or attend the 2026 World Cup, 2028 Olympics and other major sporting events.

At the same time, the administration added new criteria for highly skilled foreign workers seeking a certain visa. The new rules will bar entry to those seen as having directed or engaged in the censorship of US citizens on social media through content moderation initiatives that have emerged across Europe and elsewhere to combat extremist speech.

Read more: Trump’s immigration message clashes with his welcome to World Cup fans

In a series of cables sent this week to all U.S. diplomatic missions and obtained by The Associated Press, the State Department said visa applications for business people considering “significant investments” in the United States should be at the top of the list for consideration along with applications from those who want to travel “to attend major sporting events that demonstrate American excellence.”

This is the latest effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to crack down on immigrants and visitors entering the United States. But with major sporting events planned in the United States, the administration is looking to ensure fans are able to attend those competitions. These policies are receiving increasing attention ahead of the World Cup draw on Friday.

Focus on foreign sports fans

As part of a broader initiative to control the entry of foreigners into the United States, the State Department said that all those who need visas to enter the country will need to undergo an in-person interview and screening to screen them for potential national security risks.

This has resulted in long waiting times at many embassies and consulates for interviews to apply for “B1” and “B2” visas despite a significant increase in the number of consular staff.

Last month, Trump announced a new initiative, called FIFA Pass, for foreigners traveling to the United States for the World Cup, which will allow them to interview for visas more quickly. However, he still encourages them to apply for their visas “immediately.”

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration has sent more than 400 additional consular staff around the world to handle demand for World Cup visas, and that in about 80% of the world, travelers to the United States can get a visa appointment within 60 days — which is reflected in the cable.

The new steps in the cable this week go beyond the FIFA Pass initiative to speed up applications for those looking to travel to the United States for the Olympics and other major sporting events.

One of the two cables sent Tuesday said the fliers “shall ensure sufficient date capacity to accommodate spectators and other fans traveling to attend events surrounding the (World Cup) tournament.” “These applications should take priority over all other B1/B2 applications, except those related to remanufacturing in America.”

Others who will be given priority include foreign diplomats, government officials traveling on official business, temporary agricultural workers, religious workers, doctors and nurses, and students enrolled at academic institutions with less than 15% foreign enrollment.

“Entries should ensure that applicants from higher-ranking groups receive priority over lower-ranking applicants and groups, regardless of demand by lower-ranking applicants,” the cable said. “Shares may significantly reduce the number of appointment slots available to lower-ranking groups in order to accommodate demand from higher-ranking groups.”

New visa guidelines for highly skilled workers

A second cable sent Tuesday to all embassies and consulates sets new criteria for considering H-1B visa applications, and asks diplomats to “be on the lookout” for those who may have been, “responsible for, or complicit in the censorship of Americans” online and elsewhere.

These visas allow American companies to bring in people with technical skills that are difficult to find in the United States, and President Donald Trump has said he will impose an annual fee of $100,000 on them.

Read more: That’s why experts believe Trump used a “sledgehammer” on the H-1B worker visa program

The ministry said that evidence of this could lead to visa refusal. It defined this information as “adopting global content moderation policies inconsistent with freedom of expression, complying with global content moderation demands or censorship from a foreign entity, and providing access to the private data of US citizens in connection with content moderation.”

The cable said that evidence of this can be obtained from the applicant’s CV, employment history, personal files, publications on social media, and public statements or writings, adding that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working to develop tools to facilitate and accelerate the conduct of these checks.

She noted that all visa applicants are subject to these criteria, but H-1B visa applicants should be looked at closely “as many of them work or have worked in the technology sector, including at social media or financial services companies involved in the suppression of protected expression.”

“You should carefully explore their employment history to ensure they do not engage in such activities,” the cable said, adding that “if you uncover evidence and the applicant is responsible or complicit in censoring or attempting to censor protected expression in the United States, you should pursue a conclusion that the applicant is ineligible” for a visa.