Latest news with #TravelBan
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Politics 1–Football 0: Washington bars Iranians from cheering team in US
TEHRAN, June 5 — A year out from kick-off, Iranian football fans are watching their World Cup dream slip away after a US travel ban barred them from entering the land of 'Great Satan' to cheer on their team. The 2026 tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, but most matches, including the final, are scheduled to be played on American soil. Many in Iran had clung to hopes of cheering from the stands until Wednesday when US President Donald Trump rolled out a new travel ban on 12 countries including Iran, which will take effect from Monday. 'My friends and I have been waiting for years to watch Team Melli (a nickname for the national team) play in a World Cup on US soil, and when they qualified, it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,' Sohrab Naderi, a real estate agent in Tehran, told AFP. 'Now with the new travel ban, that dream is shattered because of politics that we don't care about and have no control over,' said the 46-year-old who attended the 2022 World Cup in Qatar which saw the US side defeat Iran 1-0 in the group stage. The prospect of Iran competing in a US-hosted tournament comes against the backdrop of a decades-long enmity, with diplomatic ties broken since the 1979 Islamic revolution. The two sides are currently engaged in high-stakes talks over Iran's nuclear programme, with the United States threatening military action if no deal can be reached. 'Degrading to all Iranians' Trump said the new travel ban was prompted by a makeshift flamethrower attack on a Jewish protest in Colorado that US authorities blamed on a man they said was in the country illegally. The ban will not apply to athletes competing in either the 2026 World Cup or the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the order said. Nonetheless, supporters who had dreamed of crossing the Atlantic to cheer on their team will no longer be able to make the trip. 'Every Iranian has the right to support their team, just as much as any other country, whether the game is in America or in any other country,' said Hasti Teymourpour, a 16-year-old football fan. Since his return to office in January, Trump has reinstated his 'maximum pressure' policy of sanctions against Iran and vowed that 'something bad' would happen unless the Iranians 'move quickly' towards a nuclear deal. Naderi, who called the ban 'inhumane' and 'degrading to all Iranians', still hopes the Iran-US nuclear talks will yield a deal that might persuade Trump to reconsider. The outcome of the US-Iran talks that began in April remains unclear, and many fans worry that even if they result in a deal, it may be too late for them. Some Iranians have refused to give up hope, however, seeing in the World Cup an opportunity to thaw relations. 'Sports diplomacy can act as a strong catalyst and bring the efforts of political diplomats to fruition sooner,' said political commentator Mohammad Reza Manafi. It could be 'a great opportunity to help advance diplomacy between the two countries'. Friendly? In a memorable 1998 World Cup clash, Iranian players handed flowers to their American adversaries and posed together for photos – a rare public gesture of goodwill between the nations. Iran won 2-1, a victory celebrated in Tehran as a source of both sporting and political pride. With the 2026 draw expected in December, it remains unclear whether Iran and the United States will face off again, but anticipation is building. 'The two countries are not hostile to each other, this political discussion is for the governments,' said 44-year-old day labourer Siamak Kalantari. Another fan, Mahdieh Olfati, said: 'If we face the US again, we'll definitely win.' 'Ours are real players,' the 18-year-old added. Manafi, the commentator, said a friendly before the tournament, possibly hosted by a third country, could help ease tensions. Such a game, he said, could help 'achieve what politicians from both sides have not managed to do for years'. — AFP
News.com.au
a day ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Iranians' World Cup dream crushed by US travel ban
A year out from kick-off, Iranian football fans are watching their World Cup dream slip away after a US travel ban barred them from entering the land of "Great Satan" to cheer on their team. The 2026 tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, but most matches, including the final, are scheduled to be played on American soil. Many in Iran had clung to hopes of cheering from the stands until Wednesday when US President Donald Trump rolled out a new travel ban on 12 countries including Iran, which will take effect from Monday. "My friends and I have been waiting for years to watch Team Melli (a nickname for the national team) play in a World Cup on US soil, and when they qualified, it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Sohrab Naderi, a real estate agent in Tehran, told AFP. "Now with the new travel ban, that dream is shattered because of politics that we don't care about and have no control over," said the 46-year-old who attended the 2022 World Cup in Qatar which saw the US side defeat Iran 1-0 in the group stage. The prospect of Iran competing in a US-hosted tournament comes against the backdrop of a decades-long enmity, with diplomatic ties broken since the 1979 Islamic revolution. The two sides are currently engaged in high-stakes talks over Iran's nuclear programme, with the United States threatening military action if no deal can be reached. - 'Degrading to all Iranians' - Trump said the new travel ban was prompted by a makeshift flamethrower attack on a Jewish protest in Colorado that US authorities blamed on a man they said was in the country illegally. The ban will not apply to athletes competing in either the 2026 World Cup or the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the order said. Nonetheless, supporters who had dreamed of crossing the Atlantic to cheer on their team will no longer be able to make the trip. "Every Iranian has the right to support their team, just as much as any other country, whether the game is in America or in any other country," said Hasti Teymourpour, a 16-year-old football fan. Since his return to office in January, Trump has reinstated his "maximum pressure" policy of sanctions against Iran and vowed that "something bad" would happen unless the Iranians "move quickly" towards a nuclear deal. Naderi, who called the ban "inhumane" and "degrading to all Iranians", still hopes the Iran-US nuclear talks will yield a deal that might persuade Trump to reconsider. The outcome of the US-Iran talks that began in April remains unclear, and many fans worry that even if they result in a deal, it may be too late for them. Some Iranians have refused to give up hope, however, seeing in the World Cup an opportunity to thaw relations. "Sports diplomacy can act as a strong catalyst and bring the efforts of political diplomats to fruition sooner," said political commentator Mohammad Reza Manafi. It could be "a great opportunity to help advance diplomacy between the two countries". - Friendly? - In a memorable 1998 World Cup clash, Iranian players handed flowers to their American adversaries and posed together for photos -- a rare public gesture of goodwill between the nations. Iran won 2–1, a victory celebrated in Tehran as a source of both sporting and political pride. With the 2026 draw expected in December, it remains unclear whether Iran and the United States will face off again, but anticipation is building. "The two countries are not hostile to each other, this political discussion is for the governments," said 44-year-old day labourer Siamak Kalantari. Another fan, Mahdieh Olfati, said: "If we face the US again, we'll definitely win." "Ours are real players," the 18-year-old added. Manafi, the commentator, said a friendly before the tournament, possibly hosted by a third country, could help ease tensions. Such a game, he said, could help "achieve what politicians from both sides have not managed to do for years".
CBC
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Canadian Harvard student says he's not sure how to re-enter U.S.
Montrealer Marco Avina, a PhD candidate at Harvard University, says his immediate concern is how he's getting back into the U.S. after travelling abroad, now that the Trump administration has ordered the school to terminate its Student and Exchange Visitor Program.
Khaleej Times
06-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Impact of Trump's policy on visa issues: Key changes for expats from the UAE
The Visa Services provides comprehensive support at every stage – from gathering the complete set of documents and searching for an interview slot to preparing for a successful interview Obtaining an American visa has always been a complex process, which required thorough preparation. After Donald Trump, known for his strict stance on immigration, won in the U.S. presidential election, visa policies underwent significant changes, particularly in terms of national security and migration control. The conditions for obtaining visas have become more stringent for expats residing in the UAE. The procedure now demands even greater attention to detail and strict compliance with all regulations. Contrary to popular belief, obtaining a U.S. visa is not a lottery but rather the result of a case-by-case evaluation by an immigration officer. Let's explore how Trump's policies have impacted the visa system and what challenges expats from different countries are already facing. Enhanced document check and new challenges for expats in the UAE Changes in U.S. immigration policy that took effect with the arrival of Donald Trump's administration have impacted tourist, student, and work visas, particularly for citizens of countries included in the so-called Travel Ban – Iran, Yemen, Libya, and Sudan. One of the main challenges faced by expats living in the UAE but holding passports from these countries is the significant increase in visa processing times. For example, the waiting period for an interview and final visa decision for Iranian citizens now ranges from 6 to 12 months, making it much more difficult to plan travel or pursue education in the United States. Additionally, the requirements for submitted documents have been tightened, with a stronger focus on proving the applicant's financial stability, sources of income, and ties to their home country. This approach aims to minimise migration risks but also creates additional hurdles for applicants, who are now required to provide a more extensive set of supporting documents. Beyond the complex visa application process, there are two more challenges that some expats have already encountered: Visas for Domestic Staff Household assistants and nannies are subject to heightened scrutiny by U.S. immigration authorities. As a result, they are now required to provide additional documents, including: - Proof of their employer's financial stability; - Official confirmation of employment and assurances of return to the UAE. The Visa Services specialises in processing visas for domestic staff. In January 2025 alone, they successfully prepared documents and provided full support for over 300 applicants, helping to expedite the review process and minimise the risk of denial. Issues at the border Despite holding a valid visa, around 1.8 per cent of travelers have encountered entry refusals at the U.S. border since the beginning of the year, typically due to one of the following reasons: - Incorrectly declared purpose of travel - Insufficient proof of financial stability - Suspicions of visa violations during previous visits to the USA. However, it's important to understand that the USA is focused on developing international tourism and attracting capital, so such cases are more of an exception than a common issue. Reduction of the validity period for simplified U.S. visa renewal As of February 18, 2025, the eligibility period for an interview waiver has been reduced from 48 months to 12 months. This means that only applicants whose previous U.S. visas expired within the past year may qualify for renewal without an interview. Applicants must apply in their country of residence and have no prior visa refusals or apparent grounds for ineligibility. At the same time, consular officers still have the authority to require an interview. The official website of the U.S. Department of State confirms this policy change, as well as the fact that consular officers may waive the in-person interview requirement for certain applicants under the relevant section of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The new rules require immediate action, so if your visa is nearing expiration, it is best to apply now. Moreover, appointment slots for interviews are already booked up for the next year. How to increase your chances of success? Despite the stricter policies, B1/B2 and F-1 visas continue to be in high demand among expatriates from the UAE. U.S. tourism generates $233 billion annually for the economy, and the American education system remains prestigious and sought after, which is why more and more students from around the world choose to study in the U.S. every year. Every expat living in the UAE can begin the process of applying for a U.S. visa on their own. However, due to the nuances and new requirements, the process can be challenging. Mistakes in the application or incomplete documentation can lead to refusal, so it is recommended to seek help from experts who can assist in gathering and preparing the necessary documents. The Visa Services provides comprehensive support at every stage – from gathering the complete set of documents and searching for an interview slot to preparing for a successful interview. They eliminate any mistakes through double-checking – by an experienced visa expert and their AI - and, on average, save their customers up to 30 hours on document preparation, as well as on finding an available interview slot. They regularly encounter situations where expats suffer significant business losses due to the inability to meet with partners personally, miss business events, or important family occasions. '"Our years of experience allow us to confidently say that they help customers not only save time on obtaining visas but also avoid missing business events and enjoy the emotions of new encounters." * Khaleej Times does not recommend any other sort of advice and you should not treat any of the website's content as such. The views expressed may not reflect the newspaper's policy.
