U.S. passport owners have the privilege of being able to visit various countries—among them Canada, Mexico, France, Italy, Belize, and Iceland—without needing a visa. However, a number of international destinations do require that travelers with U.S. passports purchase tourist visas before entering the country. Here’s what you need to know about a few of the more frequently visited countries that require visas from U.S. citizens upon arrival.
Australia
Before heading to the Land Down Under, travelers with U.S. passports must apply for an electronic authorization from the Australian government known as the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). You can apply for an Australian ETA online up to—but no later than—24 hours in advance of your departure. As of April 2022, the ETA can be completed via the AustralianETA app, a product of the Australian government. Electronic tourist visas are valid for one year and permit multiple stays of up to 90 days in Australia. The fee is $150 Australian (about US$100).
Bhutan
The Kingdom of Bhutan is a land of mountain temples and legendary landscapes—a country where the government literally measures quality of life through a Gross National Happiness index. It’s also a country that requires most visitors to obtain visas and adhere to strict travel requirements. According to the U.S. State Department, the Department of Tourism in Bhutan sets a $100 per person, per night fee for sustainable development. (It’s $50 for children age 6 to 12.) All visitors must get a Bhutanese visa to enter and leave. You can apply for the visa online and the fee is $40. It may take up to five days to process a visa, and you cannot buy airline tickets to Bhutan without visa clearance.
Bolivia
Although U.S. passport holders can obtain visas on arrival at the Bolivian border, the extensive paperwork you need to have with you can complicate matters, which is why it can be better to apply for a Bolivian tourist visa online or at a consulate in advance. To enter Bolivia, U.S. citizens must provide a completed application form, passport-size headshot, evidence of hotel reservations (or a letter of invitation to stay at a private residence), proof of sufficient funds and departure tickets, photocopy of their passport—which must be valid for at least six months—plus a yellow fever vaccination certificate. All of this is in addition to a fee of $160, which is only accepted in cash at the border. With the visa, travelers are able to stay in Bolivia for up to 30 days at a time but can’t exceed 90 days per calendar year.
Brazil
Starting on April 10, 2025, U.S. citizens will need to obtain an e-visa if they want to visit Brazil—and that’s whether they’re going for business or leisure travel. Since June 2019, Americans have been able to visit South America’s largest country visa free, provided they stayed less than 90 days. But because the United States didn’t respond in kind and waive requirements for Brazilian nationals, Brazil is reversing course and bringing back its own visa mandate. There’s no word yet on what the application process will look like, but according to the U.S. State Department, the visa fee is $81 with a 10-year validity.
China
It’s not surprising that U.S. citizens need a visa to travel to China. It also used to be one of the most notoriously frustrating application processes to go through. However, as of January 2024, the Chinese government has slightly simplified the process for U.S. travelers. Now, visitors no longer need to submit a round-trip ticket, proof of hotel reservation, itinerary, or invitation letter, per the current list of requirements. However, citizens still must apply through the Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in the United States for a tourist visa (L-visa). Requirements include a passport with at least two blank visa pages and a remaining validity of more than six months. You’ll also need a COVA Visa Form, proof of residency in the U.S. (utility bill or the like), and a form stating you reside in the USA. The typical cost of a visa to China for multiple entries is $140.
Cuba
Cuba might be the least surprising country to appear on this list due to its complicated history of travel regulations with the United States. But U.S. passport holders can visit the Caribbean island nation—they just have to adhere to a few specific requirements for entry. The first of those essentials includes applying for a Cuban Tourist Card (sometimes referred to as a Cuban visa). These tourist cards can be purchased online; they grant visitors a maximum stay of 30 days on the island. They’re valid for 180 days after purchase, which means you will need to travel within six months of obtaining the document. (Learn more about the legwork required to visit Cuba here.) The fee ranges from $20 to $85 depending on where you get it (many airlines bundle it into the price of the flight).
Egypt
U.S. travelers hoping to visit Egypt can now apply for an e-Visa through the country’s electronic visa portal. To be eligible for a visa, travelers need to have a passport with six months’ validity, travel itinerary, and proof of hotel bookings. Upon approval, travelers must print out their e-Visa and present it to Egyptian customs when they arrive in the country. Fees range from $25 for a single-entry visa to $60 for a multiple-entry visa.
India
India’s visa application process changes frequently, so the Indian embassy in Washington, D.C. urges travelers to check its website for updates before planning a trip. At the moment, however, India’s tourist visa regulations are as follows: U.S. citizens can apply online for an electronic travel authorization referred to as an “e-Visa” up to 4 days before arrival in India, but no more than 30 days before travel. The e-Visa costs $10 for visits between April and June or $25 for visits between July and March (both are valid for 30 days). There’s also a one-year visa for $40 and a five-year visa for $80. Be prepared to present a printed copy at customs in the international airport, as well as proof of a return ticket and sufficient finances for your stay in India.
Kenya
As of January 1, 2024, travelers can enter Kenya without a visa for tourism for stays up to 90 days. Travelers must, however, obtain a new Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). You can apply online at https://evisas.travel/kenya where you will pay a one-time fee of $69 plus a government fee of $38. It takes three business days to obtain the eTA.
Vietnam
U.S. citizens planning trips to Vietnam have the option to apply for an e-Visa online. Acquiring this e-Visa, which is valid for stays of up to 30 days, requires paying two fees: one “visa letter service fee” at the time of application and another “stamping fee” upon arrival in Vietnam. (The cost varies depending on length of travel and other factors—see more information here.) It’s important to note that Vietnam’s online visa approval process only applies to air travelers who arrive at one of the country’s international airports in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Nang; travelers arriving by land or sea must apply for a visa through a Vietnam embassy.
See the full list of countries requiring tourist visas from U.S. citizens, including Nepal and Tanzania.
This article originally appeared online in 2015; it was most recently updated in September 2024 to include current information. Meagan Drillinger contributed to the reporting of this story.
