American’s traveling the world with their USA passports are a lucky bunch because they are able to visit 184 countries VISA FREE!
What does that mean?
In most cases it means that Americans can simply get on the plane and enjoy their trip without having to pay large fees or pre-file various government documents and wait for approval.
Having access to so many countries without having to apply for Visas ahead of time makes traveling a LOT easier.
The USA passport is actually one of the most powerful passports in the world, according to the Henley Passport Index, which current ranks the US in 6th place in terms of ‘travel freedom’. The States currently shares their 6th place spot with Canada, The UK, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Greece and Ireland.
So what countries are in the 1st place spots? Singapore and Japan are currently tied for the most powerful passport in the world. Don’t get too jealous America… they only get access to a handful of extra countries Visa-free, 6 more to be exact.
Since Americans can travel to 184 countries without having to pre-apply for a Visa, it means travelling abroad is much easier, cheaper, and more accessible.
Visa's can be expensive, be very difficult to qualify for and can take a lot of time depending on what country you are trying to enter, so having automatic ‘visa-free’ entry is a blessing.
Please note: Even if a American passport is given visa-free access to a specific country, there are still rules on how long a visitor can stay.
So where can you go without a Visa?
Here are ALL the countries Americans can travel to Visa free, plus how long they can stay…
6 Months or MORE Visa Free:
Albania – 1 year
Antigua and Barbuda – 6 months
Armenia – 180 days
Bahamas – 8 months
Barbados – 6 months
Belize – 180 days
Bermuda – 6 months
Canada – 6 months
Cayman Islands – 6 months
Central African Republic – 180 days
Dominica – 6 months
Georgia – 1 year
Gibraltar – 180 days
Jamaica – 6 months
Mexico – 180 days
Montserrat – 6 months
Panama – 180 days
Peru – 183 days
United Kingdom – 6 months
90 Days/ 3 Months Visa Free:
Andorra – 3 months
Argentina – 90 days
Aruba – 90 days
Austria – 90 days
Belgium – 90 days
Bolivia – 90 days
Bonaire – 90 days
Bosnia and Herzegovina – 90 days
Botswana – 90 days
Brazil – 90 days
Brunei – 90 days
Bulgaria – 90 days
Chile – 90 days
Colombia – 90 days
Costa Rica – 90 days
Croatia – 90 days
Curacao – 90 days
Cyprus – 90 days
Czech Republic – 90 days
Denmark – 90 days
Ecuador – 90 days
El Salvador – 3 months
Equatoria Guinea – 90 days
Estonia – 90 days
Fiji – 4 months
Finland – 90 days
France – 90 days
French Guiana – 3 months
French Polynesia – 90 days
Germany – 90 days
Greece – 90 days
Greenland – 90 days
Grenada – 3 months
Guatemala – 90 days
Guyana – 3 months
Haiti – 3 months
Honduras – 3 months
Hong Kong – 3 months
Hungary – 90 days
Iceland – 90 days
Ireland – 3 months
Israel – 3 months
Italy – 90 days
Japan – 90 days
South Korea – 90 days
Latvia – 90 days
Liechtenstein – 90 days
Lithuania – 90 days
Luxembourg – 90 days
Malaysia – 3 months
Malta – 90 days
Mauritius – 90 days
Moldova – 90 days
Monaco – 90 days
Mongolia – 90 days
Montenegro – 90 days
Morocco – 3 months
Namibia – 3 months
Netherlands – 90 days
Nicaragua – 90 days
North Macedonia – 90 days
Norway – 90 days
Poland – 90 days
Portugal – 90 days
Romania – 90 days
Saint Kitts and Nevis – 3 months
San Marino – 90 days
Senegal – 90 days
Serbia – 90 days
Seychelles – 3 months
Singapore – 90 days
Sint Maarten – 90 days
Slovakia – 90 days
Slovenia – 90 days
Soloman Islands – 3 months
South Africa – 90 days
Spain – 90 days
Sweden – 90 days
Switzerland – 90 days
Taiwan – 90 days
Trinidad and Tobago – 90 days
Tunisia – 90 days
Turks and Caicos – 90 days
Ukraine – 90 days
Uruguay – 3 months
Vatican City – 90 days
30 Days Visa Free:
Belarus – 30 days
British Virgin Islands – 30 days
Cook Islands – 31 days
Dominican Republic – 30 days
Eswatini – 30 days
Indonesia – 30 days
Kazakhstan – 30 days
Kiribati – 30 days
Lebanon – 1 months
Macau – 30 days
Maldives – 30 days
Papua New Guinea – 60 days
Philippines – 30 days
Qatar – 30 days
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – 1 month
Tajikistan – 45 days
Thailand – 30 days
Tonga – 31 days
Tuvalu – 1 month
United Arab Emirates –30 days
Vanuatu – 30 days
Under 30 Days Visa Free:
Lesotho – 14 days
Sao Tome and Principe – 14 days
Didn't see a country you want to visit in the ‘Visa-Free' section? Don't worry – it might be on the ‘Visa on Arrival' or ‘eVisa' list, which is still pretty easy.
Countries Where Americans Can Get a ‘Visa On Arrival/eVisa':
Countries where USA passport holders need a ‘Visa on arrival’ or an ‘eVisa’ have a few more requirements than the countries on the ‘Visa-free’ list.
They might require a few steps be done ahead of time, and usually even a small fee that needs to be paid before-hand. However, they are still much easier than a formal ‘Visa Required’ country, which needs even more paperwork, bigger fees and sometimes in person visits to a consulate or embassy.
I like to think of them as a halfway mark between Visa Free and Visa Required.
Sometimes they can be as easy as filling out a form when you land, other times there is a bit of online legwork to do a few days beforehand.
eTA or Electronic Travel Authority
This is by far the easiest! Countries like Australia and New Zealand have an eTA put into place for US citizens. It's as easy as filling out a quick and short form online, paying a $20 fee, and getting an email confirmation. Simple!
Visa on Arrival or eVisa
Still easier than a normal Visa, but usually a bit more info required than an eTA. Most of these will also be filled out online or at the arrival customs desk of the destination country.
How ‘Visa On Arrival' & ‘eVisa' Works:
You will visit a Visa counter after disembarking your flight. At that counter you will either fill out a form or hand in your previously applied for approval letter. This is also the counter where you will pay your Visa Fee or Stamping Fee (usually $25-$50). After that you will be given a Visa sticker or stamp into your passport, which you will then show at the immigration counter before picking up your luggage.
Important: Some countries require you to apply ONLINE for your Visa BEFORE you arrive at the airport. Check each ‘Visa on Arrival' and ‘eVisa' country very carefully before booking your flight.
For example:
Vietnam is an eVisa country. I had to apply online for my Vietnam eVisa at least 1 week prior to my flight. Once approved, they emailed me a copy of my approval letter and I printed it out. I brought the forms with me on the plane and after disembarking I brought them to the Visa counter and paid a stamping fee. I was then issued my Vietnam Visa.
90 Days+ 'Visa On Arrival/eVisa':
Australia – 90 days
Benin – 90 days
Cote d’Ivoire – 90 days
Ethiopia – 90 days
Gabon – 6 months
Guinea – up to 5 years!
Guinea-Bissau – 90 days
Kenya – 3 months
Kuwait – 3 months
Madagascar – 3 months
Malawi – 3 months
Mauritania – 3 months
Nepal – 90 days
New Zealand – 90 days
Pakistan – 90 days
Paraguay – 90 days
Saudi Arabia – 90 days
Sierra Leone – 90 days
Suriname – 90 days
Tanzania – 3 months
Turkey – 3 months
Uganda – 90 days
Zambia – 90 days
Zimbabwe – 3 months
30-60 Days 'Visa On Arrival/eVisa':
Angola – 30 days
Azerbaijan – 30 days
Bangladesh – 30 days
Burkina Faso – 1 month
Cambodia – 30 days
Cape Verde – 30 days
Comoros – 30 days
Djibouti – 31 days
Egypt – 30 days
India – 60 days
Jordan – 30 days
Laos– 30 days
Mozambique– 30 days
Oman– 30 days
Rwanda– 30 days
Somalia– 30 days
Sri Lanka– 30 days
Tajikistan– 45 days
Timor-Leste– 30 days
Uzbekistan– 30 days
Vietnam– 30 days
Under 30 Days 'Visa On Arrival/eVisa':
Bahrain – 14 days
Myanmar – 28 days
Togo – 7 days
Countries Where Americans Need A Visa:
Below is a list of countries that USA passport holders will need to obtain a Visa for in order to visit. The process for applying for a tourist Visa can vary a lot depending on the individual country in question.
Some countries are easier, while others can make the process extremely difficult. Research the requirements far in advance!
Countries Requiring a Visa for American Visitors:
Afghanistan
Algeria
Bhutan
Burundi
Cameroon
Chad
China
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Republic of the Congo
Cuba
Eritrea
Gambia
Ghana
Iran
Iraq
Liberia
Libya
Mali
Nauru
Niger
Nigeria
Russia
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
Turkmenistan
Venezuela
Yemen
For most of the Visa Required countries above, you will want to contact the consulate for that country inside the USA. They will walk you through all the required forms and documents to apply for your Visa.
Some general things that are asked/needed when applying for a Visa are:
- Financial statements showing you can support yourself on this trip
- Proof of travel insurance for the duration of your trip
- Proof of return airfare or forward travel out of the country
- Information on marital status, employment, addresses, family members, education, criminal records, etc.
- Proof of vaccinations or health records if needed
- Reason for traveling
- Itinerary, where you are staying, tours you are going on and other information regarding the trip
- Extra passport sized photographs
- Visa fee
Fees for Americans obtaining Visa's can vary from $25 to $280+. Each country is different and continues to change frequently.
Check Latest American Visa Requirements and Travel Advisories
The above Visa requirement information changes all the time, so it's best to check the USA Government's Website before you book any travel. On their Travel Advice and Advisories page you will find everything from Visa requirements, to travel warnings and more.
Disclaimer:
All of the information above relates to TOURIST Visa’s for American passport holders only, who also have a valid passport. Countries can change visa requirements frequently, so please look up the most updated information on the United States Government’s Travel Website before booking any travel. This blog is to be used as a guide only. Do your own due diligence and use common sense when travelling abroad.
Other Articles About Visas:
How to Extend Your Bali Tourist Visa
The Easy Guide to Getting a Visa in Vietnam
Where Canadians Can Travel Without a Visa
Do you need an eTA or Visa to visit Canada?
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