The discussion focuses on how entry requirements vary depending on nationality, including:

• Visa-waived vs. visa-required travelers
• Visitor visa application processes and timelines
• Passport validity and required documentation at entry
• Pre-registration requirements for certain nationalities

The episode also highlights key considerations for different traveler groups, including fans, media and individuals traveling for tournament-related activities.

With matches taking place across Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, early planning remains critical to avoid delays and ensure compliance with entry requirements.

Fragomen continues to support organizations and individuals preparing for travel across North America ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Entry requirements will vary depending on nationality, with some travelers able to enter as visa-exempt visitors and others required to obtain a visa in advance. This distinction is particularly important given processing times for certain visa-required nationals, making early planning essential.

The discussion outlines how entry rules apply across different traveler groups. Fans may enter Canada as visitors, though holding match tickets does not guarantee entry or visa approval. For visa-exempt nationals, electronic travel authorization requirements will depend on the method of travel, including whether individuals are entering by air or land. US nationals are not required to obtain an eTA.

Athletes and team personnel, including coaches, managers and staff, may enter as visitors without requiring work authorization. Media and broadcast personnel are generally work permit exempt, subject to the appropriate visitor visa or eTA requirements based on nationality and travel method.

FIFA-related volunteers and support personnel may also be work permit exempt where they have received a formal invitation from FIFA to perform tournament-related functions or support event preparation. Individuals must include the relevant FIFA documentation with their application or present it upon entry. Those without a formal invitation may require work authorization, depending on their role and activities.

There is no dedicated FIFA visa for Canada, and all travelers will be assessed under standard immigration rules. Early planning, complete documentation and advance review of any potential admissibility issues will be important for individuals and organizations preparing for the tournament.

Fragomen continues to support organizations, teams and individuals navigating Canadian immigration requirements as preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup progress.

In Fragomen FC – Episode 14, Partners Gustavo Kanashiro and Rick Lamanna, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster and Senior Manager Sergio Flores examine how immigration systems across the Americas shape football mobility throughout South America and beyond.

The conversation explores:

• How differing immigration regimes across North, Central and South America impact player movement and staffing decisions
• Visa strategy and work authorization considerations for professional players, technical staff and club personnel
• Compliance risks associated with short-term travel, tournaments and multi-country competitions
• The operational realities clubs and organizations face when planning transfers, tours and regional competitions
• Why early planning and coordinated mobility strategies are essential to keeping football operations moving

This episode offers practical insights for clubs, federations and organizations navigating cross-border movement in one of the world’s most dynamic sporting environments.

The discussion examines how immigration frameworks, workforce mobility, access to opportunity and skills development influence women’s participation and leadership across aerospace, space exploration and related STEM industries. The speakers share insights on progress to date, persistent challenges and what employers, policymakers and industry leaders can do to support a more inclusive and sustainable space workforce.

In this episode, the hosts react to the newly revealed groups for the USA, Canada and Mexico, unpacking what the draw means for each host nation as they prepare to welcome the world to North America. From favorable paths to potential pitfalls, the conversation dives into early storylines that could define the tournament.

The trio also debates the ultimate Group of Death versus the Group of Life, highlighting which teams face the toughest roads and which may have caught a break.

To wrap it up, each host picks the group stage match they’re most excited to watch, setting the tone for what promises to be a historic World Cup across North America.

Whether you’re following the soccer, the stories or the global mobility behind the game, Draw Day Drama is where World Cup 2026 truly kicks off.

Drawing on their experience supporting healthcare organizations, Cosmina and Ayana outline strategies to attract, mobilize and retain global talent while maintaining compliance in a shifting labour-market environment. Their conversation highlights the critical role that well-designed immigration processes play in strengthening Canada’s healthcare workforce and supporting long-term system resilience.

• The CAF qualifying format and what South Africa’s return to the World Cup means for the continent.
• How federations and clubs are navigating player and staff movement across Africa.
• The rise of e-visas, regional travel reforms and the African Union’s Free Movement of Persons Protocol.
• What clubs and teams can learn when touring or expanding operations in African markets.

From visa-free corridors in East Africa to policy innovations powering regional mobility, this episode focuses on the intersection of football and migration across a rapidly changing continent.

Together, Fragomen and TBB have created an innovative, award-winning business-driven solution enabling skilled refugees to legally migrate for work, benefitting both displaced professionals and economies struggling with skills and labor shortages. 

Michali shares valuable, experienced insights into her approach to attracting international talent to Germany, touching on key topics such as:

• Navigating Germany’s unique challenges (such as the housing market)
• Structuring competitive offer packages
• Managing immigration and relocation processes
• Supporting integration and long-term success

Her perspective offers a thoughtful look at the evolving landscape of global mobility and talent strategy.

• How post-Brexit immigration rules are reshaping EPL transfers;
• Why Club World Cup appearances now matter for UK visas;
• The growing importance of homegrown talent ahead of the 2026 World Cup;
• Player care and the UK’s edge in global talent retention; and
• The rapid rise of international transfers into the Women’s Super League.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of global football and immigration policy.

In this Immigration Conversation podcast episode, Partner Marius Tollenaere is joined by David Kipp of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP). David Kipp researches migration cooperation, skilled labour recruitment and EU migration policy. In this conversation, Marius and David focus on labour migration from India to Germany. David Kipp has published extensively on this topic and examined the details of this migration corridor. He has taken a closer look at the policies of the governments of both countries as well as the role of private intermediaries.

• Nationality choices in international football
• Work permits, transfers and dual citizenship
• Coaching the next generation of global stars and the youth system
• The impact of immigration rules on the football

Don’t miss this episode on immigration, national identity, loyalty and legacy in football!

Disclaimer: The television shows and individuals mentioned in this episode are not clients of Fragomen. This episode is intended for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

The group also explores immigration requirements, complexities and nuances for foreign nationals to consider as the World Cup approaches in 2026. 

In anticipation of the UK's general election, Fragomen is hosting a three-part event series, each focusing on a pivotal juncture - the “before,” “during” and “after” - as it relates to UK immigration policy.

This replay is the first event in the series, the "Prelude to the Polls" webcast, which took place on 28 February 2024. The webcast focused on initial assessments and the anticipated trajectory of UK immigration policy under the three main political parties.

Shuyeb was joined by:
- Sunder Katwala, Director, British Future
- Madeleine Sumption, Director, Migration Observatory - University of Oxford
- Jonathan Thomas, Senior Fellow, Social Market Foundation

English:
Practice Leader Sylvain Garguilo, Director Elsa Guillais and Senior Manager Agnes Rodriguez Raig discuss the French immigration law recently promulgated by President Macron, its impacts on foreign workers in France and on companies using foreign labor.

*Please note this episode is in French.

In this episode of the Immigration Conversation Podcast, Partners Louise Haycock and Charlotte Wills discuss the substantial changes to the UK migration laws that were announced on 4 December 2023, including the government's five-point plan that is likely to take effect in the spring of 2024, which aims to reduce net migration. They also share insights on what businesses can do now to prepare.

Immigration is an essential issue across the energy arena, particularly within the offshore sector and maritime industry. Despite their rebounding following the COVID-19 pandemic, a variety of other economic and geopolitical factors continue to play a role in how employers approach the movement and attraction of talent in this niche area.

Please note this episode is recorded in Chinese.

Growing up in a small town in Guatemala, Lucia and Ana Gabriela eventually arrived in New York City, finding their footing in a bustling environment and surrounded by new cultures and languages. Their drive and ambition led them to not only successfully adjusting to a new life in the United States, but also to completing law school after college.

Ultimately, both Lucia and Ana Gabriela pursued careers in immigration law because of the impact of their own experiences as immigrants. 

During the conversation, they share updates on initiatives and progress within their particular offices and regions, ideas to scale sustainability programs globally, and new learnings from clients that are impacting the sustainability space.

As they look back on last year’s momentous event, Azeem and Jake touch on some of the many “firsts” of the 2022 World Cup that made it so significant: it was the first tournament to be held in the Middle East, the first tournament to be held during the colder months and the first tournament that included three female officials. They review how immigration processes were affected by these firsts and the importance of planning in advance.

Then, they look ahead to the 2026 World Cup and discuss a variety of immigration concerns surrounding the multi-country nature of the upcoming tournament.

See the video version of this podcast here.

Topics covered include:

• Key differences between a business visa and a work permit
• Assessing whether it’s a business visa or a work permit
• Key considerations for compliance

As part of our APAC Insight Series, Alfred Chong, Manager of Fragomen’s Asia Pacific Coordination Center and Mitsui Maruyama, the firm’s local advisor ILS  in Japan, provide detailed insight on the issues and challenges of Japan immigration in the wake of COVID-19, from the perspective of employers or Japan practitioners. [Recorded in Japanese]

• COVID19: demobilisation and remobilisation – what companies need to consider
• Looking ahead: structural immigration policy shifts
• Oil and gas sector concessions