As of January 2024, the US passport ranks 7th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index and 6th by the Global Passport Power Rank. However, to visit some countries, US passport holders must apply for a visa beforehand. Read below for information on which countries require a visa for US passport holders, those that allow visa-free travel, eVisa, Visa on Arrival, and the countries that do not issue visas for US passport holders.
Make sure to read about the visa and passport photo requirements when you apply for your travel visa!
Table of Contents
The Countries US Passport Holders Can Visit Without a Visa
The list of countries that allow US passport holders to visit without a visa changes annually, and it is important to check frequently to confirm if your US passport can travel visa-free before any trip. See below for the countries and territories US passport holders can visit without a visa:
- Albania
- American Samoa
- Andorra
- Angola
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Aruba
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Caribbean Netherlands
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- British Virgin Islands
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Cabo Verde
- Cayman Islands
- Chile
- Colombia
- Cook Islands
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Curaçao
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Falkland Islands
- Faroe Islands
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- French Guiana
- French Polynesia
- French West Indies
- Georgia
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greenland
- Grenada
- Guam
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kiribati
- Kosovo
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mayotte
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Montserrat
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Netherlands
- New Caledonia
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niue
- North Macedonia
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Palestine
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Qatar
- Réunion
- Romania
- Samoa
- San Marino
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Martin
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Türkiye
- United States Virgin Islands
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Zambia
- Eswatini
US passport holders must be aware that a valid passport is essential for visa-free travel. Many countries require at least six months of validity beyond your departure date – so make sure your passport is not about to expire in less than six months. Additionally, it is crucial to purchase travel insurance even when it is not required by your destination country.
What Countries Issue eVisa to US Citizens?
What is an eVisa? An eVisa, short for electronic visa, is about the same as a standard visa, except that with the eVisa, the application process is completed 100% online.
eVisas are becoming increasingly popular as they streamline the visa application process, making it more convenient for travelers. The specific requirements and procedures for obtaining an eVisa vary from country to country, and not all countries offer eVisas. Travelers should check with the official government website of the destination country to obtain accurate and up-to-date information on visa requirements and application procedures.
The following 21 countries issue eVisas for US passport holders:
- Australia
- Azerbaijan
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Cameroon
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Ivory Coast
- Djibouti
- Equatorial Guinea
- Gabon
- Guinea
- India
- Kenya
- Myanmar
- Nigeria
- Papua New Guinea
- South Sudan
- Togo
- Uganda
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
List of Countries that Issue Visa on Arrival to US Passport Holders
What is a visa on arrival (VoA)? Visa on Arrival refers to a type of visa that travelers can obtain upon arrival at their destination country. Unlike traditional visas that require pre-application at an embassy or consulate, the Visa on Arrival allows travelers to complete the application process upon reaching the airport or border checkpoint of the country they are visiting.
If you are a US citizen, you can get a visa on arrival for the 35 countries listed below:
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Bolivia
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Comoros
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Guinea-Bissau
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Mauritania
- Nepal
- Rwanda
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- Saint Helena
- Tanzania
- Gambia
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Zimbabwe
The specific requirements and eligibility criteria for a Visa on Arrival vary by country. Travelers may need to present certain documents besides a valid passport like passport-sized photographs, proof of travel itinerary, and payment for the visa fee. The visa is then issued by immigration authorities upon arrival.
Is There a Country US Passport Holders Are Not Allowed to Visit?
US passport holders are not allowed to visit North Korea for tourism.
Travel to North Korea is highly regulated, and U.S. citizens can only visit if they have a special validation from the Department of State. This usually requires a specific purpose such as official government business or humanitarian work. Travel for tourism or other purposes is generally not permitted.
Countries With Visa Requirements for US Passport Holders – must be applied in advance
22 Countries require U.S. citizens to obtain a visa before traveling, and this must be done through the respective embassy or consulate. There are also visa agencies like Entriva and iVisa that help with the application process for an additional fee.
The list of 22 countries that require US passport holders to apply for a visa in advance:
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Belarus
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- China
- Republic of the Congo
- Cuba
- Eritrea
- Ghana
- Iran
- Liberia
- Libya
- Mali
- Nauru
- Niger
- Russia
- Sudan
- Syria
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
- Yemen
“Please note that visa requirements can change on short notice, especially considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on travel regulations. This has led to an increase in the number of countries offering eVisas for travelers. It’s crucial to always check with official government sources or embassies for the latest information before planning any international travel.
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