THE 13 PLACES YOU NEED A VISA TO TRAVEL WITH AN AMERICAN PASSPORT
If you hold an American passport, you're likely used to traveling internationally with relative ease. Therefore, you may be surprised to learn that many countries require Americans to jump through some hoops to visit in the form of obtaining a visa.
Beginning in January, 13 countries will issue American citizens a visa to visit as tourists. Note this list does not contain information regarding countries that the U.S. Department of State has advised U.S. citizens to refrain from traveling to by issuing Level 4 alerts. It also does not detail destinations that are not currently issuing visas for Americans.
Here's what you need to know.
Australia
Type: Australian Electronic Travel Authorization
How to apply: Online through the Australian government
Length of time: Valid for visits up to three months within a 12-month period
Cost: $13
Processing time: Varies by application, but most are processed within 21 days
More information: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas or travel.state.gov
Related: Australia news
Bolivia
Type: Bolivia Tourist Visa
How to apply: Through the Bolivian Consulate. Residents of select states can apply in person at Bolivian Consulates in Washington, D.C., New York, Miami, Houston or Los Angeles. Alternatively, you can purchase a visa at any land or air border, per the U.S. Embassy in Bolivia.
Length of time: Valid for visits up to 30 days for 90 days total in one year
Cost: $160
Processing time: N/A
More information: boliviawdc.org/en-us, bo.usembassy.gov or travel.state.gov
Brazil
Type: Brazil eVisa
How to apply: Online through VFS.Global
Length of time: Valid for visits up to 90 days for multiple entries over 10 years
Cost: $81
Processing time: Five business days
More information: brazil.vfsevisa.com or travel.state.gov
Related reading: Brazil to require visas from Americans starting next month
China
Type: China Tourist Visa
How to apply: Online through the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs before submitting the application at a Chinese Embassy or Consulate
Length of time: Valid for visits up to 30 days over a 90-day period
Cost: $140
Processing time: Four business days
More information: travel.state.gov or us.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng
Read more: China news
Egypt
Type: Egypt e-Visa
How to apply: Online through the Egyptian Ministry of Interior
Length of time: Valid for visits up to 30 days over a 90-day period
Cost: $25 for a one-time entry, $60 for a multiple-entry visa
Processing time: Seven business days
More information: visa2egypt.gov.eg or travel.state.gov
Related: Update: Is it safe to travel to Israel, Egypt and the Middle East?
India
Type: Indian e-Visa
How to apply: Online through the Indian Bureau of Immigration
Length of time: Valid for visits up to 30 days over one year
Cost: $10-25, depending on time of visit
Processing time: 72 hours
More information: indianembassyusa.gov, indianvisaonline.gov, indiainnewyork.gov.in or travel.state.gov
Read more: India news
Indonesia
Type: Indonesia Visa On Arrival
How to apply: Online through the Indonesian government
Length of time: Valid for travel up to 30 days
Cost: $35
Processing time: N/A
More information: molina.imigrasi.go.id, id.usembassy.gov/visas/ or travel.state.gov
Related: Indonesia news
Kenya
Type: Kenyan eVisa
How to apply: Online for a single-entry tourist visa through the Directorate of Immigration Services
Length of time: Valid for three months from the date of issuance
Cost: $51
Processing time: Two business days
More information: evisa.go.ke or travel.state.gov
Myanmar
Type: Myanmar Tourist eVisa
How to apply: Online through Myanmar's Ministry of Immigration and Population
Length of time: Valid for travel up to 28 days, from 90 days of issuance
Cost: $50
Processing time: Three business days
More information: evisa.moip.gov.mm or travel.state.gov
New Zealand
Type: New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)
How to apply: Online through New Zealand Immigration
Length of time: Valid for travel up to three months, from two years of issuance
Cost: $11
Processing time: Two business days
More information: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/visas/visa/nzeta or https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/NewZealand.html#:~:text=U.S.%20citizens%20traveling%20to%20or,for%20up%20to%20two%20years
Related: New Zealand news
Qatar
Type: Qatar Visa on arrival
How to apply: Upon arrival at the Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Length of time: Valid for 30 days, with both single and multiple-entry visas available
Cost: N/A
Processing time: N/A
More information: visitqatar.com
Read more: Qatar news
Sri Lanka
Type: Sir Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization
How to apply: Online through the Sri Lanka tourism portal and travel advisor
Length of time: Valid for travel up to 30 days and 30 days from issuance
Cost: $35
Processing time: Three to 20 business days
More information: lka-egov.org or eta.gov.lk
Vietnam
Type: Vietnam Electronic Visa
How to apply: Online through the Vietnamese government
Length of time: Valid for travel from 90 days of issuance, for travel up to 30 days
Cost: $17
Processing time: Two business days
More information: vietnamvisa.govt.vn or vietnamembassy-usa.org
Related: Vietnam news
Bottom line
Given that processing timelines, fees and even application requirements change throughout time, we recommend checking your country of interest ahead of travel to ensure you are up to date with the latest processes.
We also suggest bookmarking the State Department's page for each country, which includes information related to visas, safety and more. Also, enroll in the STEP program. For more information, refer to the U.S. Embassy associated with each international destination.
Related reading:
- The difference between CDC and State Department travel warnings
- Brazil to require visas from Americans starting next month
- If you need a passport quickly, this service may be for you
- Passport processing wait times decrease for the 1st time since February
- Can you have multiple passports?
- How the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program could help you on your next trip abroad
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.