Just possessing a U.S. passport expands the horizons for travel opportunities, yet it’s not always sufficient. More than 80 countries mandate visas for American tourists. Even when travel is permitted, the U.S. State Department often cautions against potential threats, encompassing health risks, crime, and wrongful imprisonment for Americans abroad.
Here is a list of destinations that currently require tourist visas for stays up to 30 days, accompanied by the State Department’s guidance, subject to change. Note that other countries may necessitate tourist visas for more extended stays, while business visas follow distinct procedures.
- Afghanistan – Level 4: Do Not Travel
- Algeria (unless entering by cruise ship) – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Australia – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Azerbaijan – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Bahrain – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Bangladesh (visa available on arrival for some) – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Belarus (if entering or exiting from elsewhere than Minsk Airport or from Russia) – Level 4: Do Not Travel
- Benin – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Bhutan – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Bolivia – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Brazil (beginning April 10) – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Burkina Faso – Level 4: Do Not Travel
- Burundi (visa available on arrival) – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
- Cambodia – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Cameroon – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Central African Republic – Level 4: Do Not Travel
- Chad – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
- China – Reconsider Travel
- Comoros (visa available on arrival) – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Cote D’Ivoire – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Democratic Republic of the Congo – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
- Djibouti – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Egypt – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
- Equatorial Guinea – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Eritrea – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Ethiopia – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
- Gabon – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Ghana – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Guinea – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
- Guinea-Bissau – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
- India – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Indonesia (visa available upon arrival) – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Iran (except for Kish island) – Level 4: Do Not Travel
- Iraq – Level 4: Do Not Travel
- Jordan (visa available upon arrival) – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Kenya – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Kuwait – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Laos – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Lebanon – Level 4: Do Not Travel
- Liberia – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Libya – Level 4: Do Not Travel
- Madagascar (visa available upon arrival) – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Malawi – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Maldives (visa available upon arrival) – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Mali – Level 4: Do Not Travel
- Mauritania – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
- Mauritius (visa granted upon arrival) – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Myanmar (Burma) – Level 4: Do Not Travel
- Nauru – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Nepal – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- New Zealand and Niue – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Niger – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
- Nigeria – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
- Oman – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Pakistan – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
- Papua New Guinea – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
- Peru (free at port of entry) – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Qatar – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Republic of the Congo – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Russia – Level 4: Do Not Travel
- Rwanda – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Sao Tome and Principe (visa required beyond 15 days) – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Saudi Arabia – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
- Senegal (visa available upon arrival) – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Sierra Leone – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Somalia – Level 4: Do Not Travel
- South Sudan – Level 4: Do Not Travel
- Sri Lanka – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Sudan – Level 4: Do Not Travel
- Suriname – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Syria – Level 4: Do Not Travel
- Tanzania – Level 2: Exercise Increase Caution
- The Gambia – Level 2: Exercise Increase Caution
- Timor-Leste – Level 2: Exercise Increase Caution
- Togo – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Turkmenistan – Level 2: Exercise Increase Caution
- Tuvalu (visa available upon arrival) – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Uganda – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
- Uzbekistan – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Venezuela – Level 4: Do Not Travel
- Vietnam – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Yemen – Level 4: Do Not Travel
- Zimbabwe (visa at port of entry) – Level 2: Exercise Increase Caution
Before traveling abroad, the State Department advises Americans to enroll in the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, facilitating contact in emergencies. Travelers are also encouraged to follow the State Department on social media for updates and remain vigilant during their overseas stay.
A worldwide caution remains in effect since October, citing increased tensions, potential terrorist threats, and demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.
While tourist visas are required for Cuba, U.S. citizens are prohibited from visiting for tourism purposes, but other reasons like family visits, education, or religious activities may be allowed. The State Department urges increased caution due to crime in Cuba.
Haiti allows visits without tourist visas for less than 90 days, but the State Department advises against it due to potential kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor healthcare infrastructure. Americans were urged to leave Haiti “as soon as possible” last year.
Visiting Mexico for less than 180 days does not require a visa, but the State Department warns against travel to certain states due to crime and kidnapping, urging reconsideration or increased caution in most other states for similar reasons.
While no visas are required for visiting Gaza or Ukraine for less than 90 days, the State Department advises against both destinations due to ongoing wars. North Korea does not accept U.S. passports, and Americans are urged to avoid it.
For additional country-specific guidance and the latest State Department travel advisories, visit Travel.State.gov.