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Travel From US: Visa Rules by Destination

by Loris Mazloum
Travel From US: Visa Rules by Destination - Main Image

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.

A flat lay of a navy blue United States passport, a boarding pass with an international destination, a folded world map with colored regions, and a smartphone showing a checklist of visa steps, all on a wooden desk with soft natural light.

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 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.