Travel From US: Visa Rules by Destination
Planning a trip abroad from the United States is easier when you know the visa rules for your destination. Requirements vary widely, and 2025 brought several updates that US travelers should know about. Use this practical, up-to-date guide to check whether you will travel visa free, need an eTA or eVisa, or must obtain a traditional consular visa before you go.
Quick primer, what each entry rule means
- Visa free, you can enter without a visa for a limited stay, usually for tourism or short business. Conditions still apply, for example passport validity and proof of onward travel.
- eTA, an electronic travel authorization that screens travelers from visa exempt countries. It is faster than a visa and typically required before boarding flights.
- eVisa, a full visa that you apply for online. You submit forms and documents digitally and receive approval electronically.
- Visa on arrival, you receive a visa at the airport or land border. Some countries allow online pre-registration to speed this up.
- Consular visa, a traditional visa that must be issued by an embassy or consulate before travel.
Pro tip, many destinations require six months of passport validity and at least one blank page. Rules vary, so always verify.
What changed for US travelers in 2025
- Brazil reinstated its tourist eVisa for US citizens, apply online before travel.
- The UK continued rolling out its ETA to additional nationalities, US citizens remain visa free for short stays at the time of writing.
- Kenya replaced most visas with a mandatory eTA for all nationalities, US travelers apply online in advance.
- The EU’s ETIAS pre travel authorization is in a staged rollout, it is not yet mandatory for US travelers. When live, most US visitors to the Schengen Area will need to apply online before departure.
For live updates, see SimpleVisa’s quick reference guide, Visa Requirements by Country, and official sources like the U.S. Department of State and the European Commission’s ETIAS pages.
- Visa Requirements by Country, A Quick Reference, https://simplevisa.com/visa-requirements-by-country-a-quick-reference/
- ETIAS Application Process, Simplifying the European Travel Information Authorization System, https://simplevisa.com/etias-application-process/
- UK ETA vs. Visa, What’s the Difference, https://simplevisa.com/uk-eta-vs-visa-whats-the-difference/
- Travel Visa Online, How to Apply Safely, https://simplevisa.com/travel-visa-online-how-to-apply-safely/
- Official ETIAS site, https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en
- U.S. Department of State country pages, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html
Visa rules by destination for US citizens
The table below summarizes typical entry rules for popular destinations. These are general patterns as of December 2025, always confirm your exact trip with SimpleVisa or official sources because policies can change.
| Region | Destination | Entry type for US citizens | Typical stay limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe, Schengen | France, Italy, Spain, Germany, etc. | Visa free now, ETIAS required once live | Up to 90 days in any 180 days | 90,180 rule across the whole Schengen Area, carry onward ticket and lodging details |
| Europe, non Schengen | United Kingdom | Visa free for tourism | Up to 6 months | UK ETA rollout ongoing, US inclusion pending, check before you book |
| Europe, non Schengen | Ireland | Visa free | Usually up to 90 days | Border officer decides actual entry period |
| Europe, non Schengen | Türkiye | eVisa required | Typically 90 days in 180 | Apply online before travel, carry printed or digital approval |
| Balkans | Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia | Visa free | 90 days typical | Passport validity rules apply |
| Europe, Eastern | Russia | Consular visa required | Varies by visa | Processing times and documentation are strict |
| North America | Canada | Visa free, no eTA needed for US citizens | Up to 6 months | US permanent residents need an eTA, US citizens do not |
| North America | Mexico | Visa free for tourism | Up to 180 days, officer discretion | FMM entry record is electronic at many airports, keep your entry details |
| Caribbean | Dominican Republic | Visa free | Up to 30 days typical | Complete online e Ticket form before travel |
| Caribbean | Cuba | Tourist card required | Up to 30 or 90 days, card type varies | US travelers must comply with OFAC categories and keep records |
| South America | Brazil | eVisa required | Usually up to 90 days | Apply online in advance, multiple entry options available |
| South America | Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay | Mostly visa free | 90 days typical, Peru often longer | Onward ticket and funds often requested |
| Northeast Asia | Japan | Visa free | Up to 90 days | Keep address of first stay for arrival card |
| Northeast Asia | South Korea | K ETA may be required | Up to 90 days | Requirement has varied by year, check the official K ETA site |
| Greater China | Mainland China | Consular visa required | Varies | 144 hour visa free transit available in select cities if eligible |
| Greater China | Hong Kong and Taiwan | Visa free | Usually up to 90 days | Separate rules from Mainland China |
| South Asia | India | eVisa required | 30 day, 1 year, and longer eVisa options | Use official eVisa portal or a trusted provider |
| Southeast Asia | Thailand | Visa exempt | 30 days typical | Extensions possible at local immigration offices |
| Southeast Asia | Vietnam | eVisa required | Up to 90 days, multi entry available | Apply online, carry digital or printed approval |
| Southeast Asia | Indonesia | Visa on arrival or e VoA | 30 days | Pre pay the e VoA online to skip lines |
| Southeast Asia | Singapore and Malaysia | Visa free | Up to 90 days | Return ticket and sufficient funds may be checked |
| Southeast Asia | Philippines | Visa free | 30 days | Extensions available |
| Southeast Asia | Cambodia and Laos | eVisa available | 30 days typical | Visa on arrival also available in many ports |
| South Asia | Sri Lanka | eTA required | 30 days typical | Apply online before departure |
| South Asia | Nepal | Visa on arrival, eVisa optional | 15, 30, or 90 days | Pay visa fee in USD at the airport if using VOA |
| Indian Ocean | Maldives | Visa on arrival | 30 days | Return ticket, confirmed lodging required |
| Middle East | United Arab Emirates | Visa on arrival | 30 days | Quick stamp at immigration, extension possible |
| Middle East | Saudi Arabia | eVisa available | Usually up to 90 days | Also supports multi entry tourism |
| Middle East | Qatar | Visa free | 30 days | Optional online pre registration can speed lines |
| Middle East | Jordan | Visa on arrival | 30 days typical | Jordan Pass can include the visa and site entry |
| Middle East | Israel | Visa free | Up to 90 days | Keep the entry slip with your passport |
| Middle East | Oman and Bahrain | eVisa required | 10 to 30 days typical | Some nationalities receive VOA, eVisa recommended |
| North Africa | Morocco and Tunisia | Visa free | Up to 90 days | Passport validity commonly checked |
| North Africa | Egypt | eVisa available | 30 days | VOA offered at major airports, eVisa is faster |
| East Africa | Kenya | eTA required | 90 days typical | Apply online before travel |
| East Africa | Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda | eVisa required | 30 to 90 days | East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda for one fee |
| Southern Africa | South Africa, Botswana, Mauritius, Seychelles | Mostly visa free, Seychelles issues a visitor permit on arrival | 30 to 90 days | Return ticket and accommodation proof commonly requested |
| Oceania | Australia | ETA required | Up to 90 days per entry | Apply via the Australian ETA app before travel |
| Oceania | New Zealand | NZeTA required | Up to 90 days | Pay the IVL along with NZeTA |
| Oceania | Fiji, French Polynesia | Visa free | 90 to 120 days typical | Overseas territories of France have their own rules |
| Oceania | Papua New Guinea, Palau, Samoa | eVisa or VOA | 30 to 60 days | Check port specific rules before travel |
Regional notes and gotchas to avoid
Europe
- Schengen 90,180, the 90 days aggregate applies across all Schengen members. Day one is your day of arrival, day 90 is your last permitted day. Keep a running count.
- ETIAS, once live, will be a quick online form similar in concept to ESTA. Apply in advance and travel with the same passport used in the application.
- United Kingdom, US citizens are currently visa free for short stays. The UK ETA is expanding by nationality and route, so verify your status prior to booking.
The Americas
- Canada, US citizens do not need an eTA. Bring a passport for air, land or sea entry.
- Mexico, officers decide your stay length on arrival, up to 180 days. The entry record is digital in many airports, keep your flight and lodging proofs handy.
- Cuba, in addition to the tourist card issued by airlines or providers, US travelers must qualify under a permitted travel category and keep records for five years.
Asia Pacific
- Japan and Singapore are visa free for US tourists, but border officers can ask to see your first hotel and onward ticket.
- South Korea’s K ETA requirement has changed during promotional periods, check before you fly.
- Australia and New Zealand require pre travel authorizations, ETA and NZeTA, approvals are usually fast but apply a few days early.
Middle East and Africa
- Saudi Arabia, the tourist eVisa is straightforward for US travelers and supports multi entry within validity.
- Kenya, the eTA replaced visas for most travelers, complete the application online even for short tourism.
- South Africa and Morocco are visa free for US tourists, funds and return ticket checks are common at entry.
How to check your trip in 60 seconds
- Search your passport and destination on SimpleVisa’s Visa Requirements by Country guide.
- Confirm the entry type and the earliest recommended application date.
- If an eVisa or eTA is required, start the guided application, upload valid scans, and pay securely.
- Save the approval PDF or code to your phone files, store an offline copy as well.
If you are a travel brand, you can embed these checks directly in your booking flow using SimpleVisa’s API, a no code widget, or a white label portal.
Documents you may be asked to show at the border
- Valid passport, check that it meets the destination’s validity and blank page rules.
- Proof of onward or return travel, print or save a PDF.
- Proof of funds, for example recent bank statements or a credit card.
- Accommodation details, first night address or confirmation.
- Travel insurance, sometimes recommended or required for specific visas.
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need a visa for Europe in 2025? Most Schengen trips remain visa free for up to 90 days in any 180 days. ETIAS is rolling out and will become a pre travel requirement for visa exempt visitors once live.
Do I need a UK ETA if I have a US passport? At the time of writing, US citizens are visa free for short stays and do not need an ETA. The UK is expanding ETA coverage by phase, check close to your trip.
Do US citizens need Canada’s eTA? No, US citizens are exempt from Canada’s eTA. US permanent residents need an eTA when flying to Canada.
Is Brazil visa free again for US travelers? No, Brazil requires a tourist eVisa for US citizens. Apply online before travel.
How far in advance should I apply for an eVisa or eTA? Apply at least one to three weeks before departure unless the destination recommends longer. Some approvals are instant, but delays can occur during peak seasons.
Will I need a transit visa for airport connections? Some countries require a transit authorization even if you do not leave the sterile area. Check rules for the UK, Australia, and other hubs on your exact routing.
Should I print my eVisa? Many destinations accept digital proof, however a printed copy can speed checks and helps if your phone battery dies.
Why travelers and travel brands use SimpleVisa
Travelers, get clear rules by passport and route, complete guided eTA or eVisa applications online, track decisions in real time, and travel with confidence.
Travel brands, integrate border compliance to lift conversion and ancillary revenue without adding support load.
- Visa processing automation and premium eVisa management
- API integration, white label app, and custom data services
- Guided customer applications with a high approval rate
- No code implementation, live on 400 plus partner sites
Ready to remove visa friction from your next trip or product roadmap, Start with the Visa Requirements by Country guide or book a demo to see how SimpleVisa fits your booking flow.