When traveling abroad from the U.S., it’s essential to have the proper documentation in order for smooth processing through security. Some countries allow you to obtain a travel Visa upon arrival, or do not require one at all. For others, a Visa must be obtained before your departure, and other requirements may exist as well.
What Is a Travel Visa?
A passport authenticates your citizenship in your country of origin; a travel Visa allows you to enter the country of your destination. The travel Visa will usually be approved by the proper embassy in the form of a stamp inside your passport. Your reason for the visit – tourist, business or transitory – will also be specified.
It’s recommended that you send in your Visa application a minimum of 1-2 months before travel. Expedited approval may be requested in cases of emergency, but in all cases your actual passport (or a copy of it, depending on the country), proof of travel arrangements and photograph must be submitted with your application. Here are the countries which require a Visa no matter your length of stay or reason for your visit.
Country | Passport Must Be Valid for: | Currency Restrictions | Other notes |
Afghanistan | Six months prior to entry | $20,000 or more must be declared upon entry and exit |
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Algeria | Six months prior to entry. Cannot expire for at least six months prior to entry. | All U.S. currency must be declared. Algerian dinars cannot be taken out of the country. |
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Angola | Cannot expire for at least six months prior to entry. | Amounts over $10,000 upon entry and exit. |
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Benin | At time of entry | N/A |
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Bhutan | Valid for at least six months | N/A |
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Brazil | Not expire for six months | 10,000 or more BR upon entry and exit. |
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Burundi | Duration of stay | N/A |
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Cameroon | Six months | N/A |
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Chad | Six months | $10,800 or more upon arrival. Not allowed to take CFA (local currency) upon exit. |
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China | Six months beyond length of requested Visa (e.g., if requesting a six month visa your passport must be valid for the next 12 months. | $2,896.79 (20,000 RMB) upon entry and exit. |
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Democratic Republic of the Congo | Six months | $5,400 (5 million CDF) upon arrival. CDF now allowed to be taken. |
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Republic of the Congo | Six months | $8,100 (5 million CFA) upon arrival. 1 million CFA ($1,636) upon exit. |
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Cuba | Upon arrival | $5,000 upon entry and exit. Cuba charges 10 percent fee for all conversions. |
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Eritrea | Six months | $10,000 upon entry and exit. |
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Ghana | Six months | $5,000 upon entry and exit. |
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Guinea | Six months | 100,000 FG or $5,000 U.S. upon exit. |
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Iran | Six months | $10,000 upon entry and exit. |
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Iraq | Six months remaining upon entry. | $10,000 upon exit. |
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North Korea | Six months minimum upon arrival. | Not allowed to take Korean money out of country. |
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Liberia | Valid at time of entry | $10,000 upon entry, $7,500 upon exit. |
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Libya | Valid at time of entry | N/A |
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Mali | Valid at time of entry | N/A |
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Nauru | Three months | 10,000 AUD ($7,733) upon entry. |
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Niger | Valid at time of entry | N/A |
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Nigeria | Six months | N/A |
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Pakistan | Six months beyond date of arrival | $5,000 upon exit. |
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Russia | Six months beyond intended stay | $10,000 upon entry, $3,000 upon exit. |
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Saudi Arabia | Valid for six months prior to entry, will be valid for 2-6 months prior to exit. | $16,000 prior to entry and exit. |
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Sierra Leone | Six months | $10,000 upon entry. |
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Somalia | Duration of stay | N/A |
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South Sudan | Six months | N/A |
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Sudan | Six months beyond date of departure | N/A |
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Syria | Valid at time of entry | N/A |
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Turkmenistan | Six months | $10,000 upon exit |
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Uzbekistan | Valid at time of entry | N/A |
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Venezuela | Six months | $10,000 upon entry and exit |
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Yemen | Six months at time of entry | Unknown |
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Stays longer than 30-90 days (or as little as three days; specific length will depend on the country) will usually require a travel Visa as well. Countries which allow a travel Visa to be electronically authorized or obtained upon arrival include: Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Comoros, Cot’e d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, India, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Papa New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Rwanda, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Travel regulations can change daily, so it’s crucial to check the U.S. State Department page for updated information. This is particularly important if going to a country with a heightened security risk.
*Featured Image By Steve Jurvetson licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license