Visa Free Countries for US Passport Holders
In the current scenario of 2023, the US passport holds the 41st position globally, as indicated by the World Passport Index. This positioning translates to a convenience for USA citizens, allowing them to journey to 146 visa free countries for US passport around the world. Yet, for the countries not covered by this privilege, individuals who possess a US passport are required to complete a visa application process prior to their intended visit.
Visa Free Countries for US Passport Holders
US passport holders can travel visa free to 146 countries and territories:
- Albania
- American Samoa
- Andorra
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Aruba
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Caribbean Netherlands
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- British Virgin Islands
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Central African Republic
- 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
- Gabon
- Georgia
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greenland
- Grenada
- Guam
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- 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
- Palau
- Palestine
- Panama
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Qatar
- Réunion
- Romania
- San Marino
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- 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
- United States Virgin Islands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Zambia
- Eswatini
To engage in visa-free journeys, it’s important to hold a valid passport, typically with a validity of six months beyond your intended departure date. Additionally, you’re often required to obtain travel health insurance as mandated by the country you plan to visit.
What Countries Issue eVisa to US Citizens?
The following 13 countries issue eVisas for US passport holders:
- Angola
- Azerbaijan
- Benin
- Djibouti
- Ethiopia
- Guinea
- India
- Kenya
- Myanmar
- Türkiye
- Uganda
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
Acquiring an eVisa involves a process quite similar to that of applying for a traditional visa. However, the advantage here is that you’re not required to visit a visa application center in person. Instead, you can conveniently submit your application and make the visa payment online.
Once your application is granted approval, an email will be sent to you, verifying your visa status. This email will also contain an important document that you should print out and carry with you when you cross the border. While your visa will be digitally registered, some border officials might request a physical copy of the permit. Hence, it’s prudent to have the printed copy on hand during your travels.
Which Countries Provide Visa on Arrival for US Passport Holders?
If you hold a US passport, you have the opportunity to obtain a visa on arrival in the following 37 countries:
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Bolivia
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cabo Verde
- Comoros
- Egypt
- Guinea-Bissau
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Mauritania
- Nepal
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Rwanda
- Samoa
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- Saint Helena
- Tanzania
- Gambia
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- United Arab Emirates
- Zimbabwe
Upon your entry into the country that offers this type of visa, you are granted a visa on arrival (VOA). Typically, airports have a dedicated section where you can complete the application process for your visa on arrival.
Which Countries Are US Passport Holders Not Allowed to Enter?
US passport holders are not allowed to enter Cuba, North Korea and Syria.
Countries With Visa Requirements for US Citizens
You need a valid visa to enter the following 27 countries with an US passport:
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Belarus
- Bhutan
- Cameroon
- Chad
- China
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Republic of the Congo
- Ivory Coast
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Ghana
- Iran
- Liberia
- Libya
- Mali
- Nauru
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Russia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
- Yemen
How to Apply for a Visa as an American Citizen
Securing a visa involves several essential steps:
- Schedule an Appointment: Begin by scheduling an appointment at the nearest visa center in the United States. Contact your local visa application center in your home country to arrange a meeting for submitting your application. It’s important to note that scheduling an appointment with the embassy or consulate may require several months due to high demand.
- Prepare Your Documents: To ensure a successful application, gather all the necessary documents for your visa, such as your passport, application form, health insurance, and more. Some of these documents may need to be verified with an apostille stamp or certified by a foreign office.
- Submission and Interview: After completing the document preparation, you can proceed to submit your application. This may involve attending a visa interview and, in some cases, providing biometric data. Ensure that you translate your documents if required by the embassy or consulate and verify them with an apostille stamp if necessary. Once your application is submitted, it may take several weeks for a decision to be made regarding your visa application.
Please keep in mind that if you possess a valid visa allowing entry into multiple countries, there’s no need to apply for a new visa.
Required Documents for US Citizens Applying for a Visa
US citizens planning to visit countries that necessitate a visa application beforehand must assemble specific documents. Document requirements may vary depending on the destination country, but most will typically request the following:
- Valid US Passport (including a photocopy). Some countries require the passport to remain valid for more than six months beyond your planned departure from their territory.
- Completed Visa Application Form.
- Recent Passport Photos (not older than six months).
- Comprehensive Travel Health Insurance covering the entire duration of your stay.
- Proof of Visa Fee Payment.
- Detailed Travel Itinerary outlining your intended destinations.
- Letter of Invitation (if applicable).
- Confirmed Return Flight Ticket.
- Confirmed Accommodation Reservations.
- Evidence of Sufficient Funds to cover your visit.
- Civil Status Documents (such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, etc.).
These documents collectively form the foundation of your visa application, and providing them accurately and comprehensively is crucial to a successful application process.
