As an American citizen, you may have wondered, what countries do Americans need visas for?
There are plenty of breathtaking countries that you can visit as a US citizen, but you’ll need to secure a visa in advance.
In this article, we’re going to go through some of these countries, as well as explain visa requirements for US citizens.
What’s the difference between visa and passport?
Although both of these documents are important, they serve different purposes.
What is a passport?
A passport is issued by the government from your home country providing proof of your identity and nationality.
Passports contain personal information like your name, date of birth, a photograph of you, and your nationality.
What is a visa?
Whereas, a visa is placed in your passport once it’s issued by the country you wish to visit.
A visa will grant you permission to enter, stay, and sometimes work or study in that particular country for a specific amount of time.
Essentially, without a valid passport, you can’t travel internationally, and without a visa, you may not be permitted to enter certain countries or stay for an extended period.
Here are 10 popular countries US citizens need a visa for…
Australia
According to Statista, there were 1.11 million international visitors in Australia in 2022.
That’s no surprise when you consider Australia’s natural beauty, particularly its divine sandy beaches!
Australia also has great job opportunities – therefore, making it an ideal place for working holidaymakers.
So as a US citizen, travelling either as a tourist or as a working holidaymaker is a great idea, but you may have wondered do US citizens need a visa for Australia?
The answer is yes.
One of the Australian visas US citizens can consider for travelling is the Australian Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462). The 462 visa gives you the opportunity to work and travel in Australia for up to 12 months if you are between the age of 18 to 30.
You are also allowed to study for up to four months on this visa type.
Another visa you can apply for as a US citizen is the Australian ETA.
The purpose of this visa is for either tourism or business, and you can only stay in Australia short-term with this visa.
On an Australian ETA, you can visit Australia multiple times within 12 months so long as you stay no more than three months on each visit.
You May Also Like:
Australian Working Holiday Visa vs. Work & Holiday Visa – What’s the difference?
Kenya
Kenya is another country to add to your list of must-sees! It’s known for its wildlife presence – an ideal safari destination.
If you would like to visit Kenya for any of the following purposes, you can obtain a Kenya eVisa:
Business trips
Tourism
Meeting friends
This is an ideal visa for US citizens who want to visit Kenya!
It’s a single-entry visa and you can stay for up to 90 days.
You need to ensure that your passport is valid for up to six months after the date you planned to enter Kenya.
Read also:
What You Need to Know Before Travelling to Kenya
Sri Lanka
Tropical climate, stunning beaches, culture, food, wildlife and welcoming people are all reasons to visit Sri Lanka.
This South Asian country is filled with something for everyone!
As a US citizen, you can easily visit Sri Lanka by obtaining an eVisa. This means that you don’t have to go to an embassy and wait in long queues but instead, you can apply for it online.
The Sri Lanka visa for US citizens can be used for either business or tourist purposes.
It’s a double-entry visa meaning you can enter the country twice within a specific period of time.
The Sri Lanka eVisa is valid for 180 days once the visa is approved.
After entering Sri Lanka, you can stay for up to 30 days.
Turkey
Turkey is full of rich history and cultural heritage for you to explore!
Visit historical sites like Ephesus, Cappadocia, Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and many more!
Turkey is also an ideal destination for nature lovers! It has diverse natural landscapes – from the stunning beaches of the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts to the otherworldly rock formations and cave dwellings of Cappadocia, and the majestic mountains of Eastern Turkey.
Also renowned worldwide for its flavours, Turkey is great for food enthusiasts! We’re talking kebabs, mezze (appetizers), baklava and Turkish tea.
To visit you must first obtain a visa for Turkey for US citizens.
As a US citizen, you may be eligible for the Turkey eVisa. This visa is perfect for tourists and you can stay for up to 90 days in Turkey on this visa.
It’s valid for 180 days after being granted.
The great thing about this visa is that it’s an entirely online application process, so no long embassy queues!
Read also:
Who is eligible for the Turkey eVisa? What are the Turkey eVisa application requirements?
Vietnam
If you’re a nature lover, Vietnam is a must! From the iconic limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay to the picturesque rice terraces of Sapa and Mekong Delta, Vietnam offers stunning natural landscapes!
There’s something for everyone, from mountains to beaches, and vibrant green countryside.
Vietnam is also home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Ha Long Bay, Hoi An Ancient Town, Hue Imperial City, and My Son Sanctuary. These sites are great places to learn about the country’s rich history, architecture, and cultural significance!
Ready for an adventure in Vietnam? As a US citizen, the Vietnam eVisa is available to you!
Obtaining your Vietnam visa for US citizens will allow you to stay for 30 days in Vietnam.
This is a single entry visa you can secure online, making the process hassle-free.
You need to ensure that your passport will be valid for at least 180 days after entering Vietnam.
For a stress-free process, apply with Visa First!
Laos
Laos is a country that has seen a huge rise in tourism recently. There were 831,000 tourists within the first three months of 2023, in comparison to 2022 when there were 211,898 visitors in the first six months.
Lush jungles, cascading waterfalls, and scenic rivers are some of the reasons to visit Laos.
Plus Laos has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Luang Prabang and the pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, which are certainly worth a visit!
If you’re looking to enjoy a slower pace of life, Laos is perfect as it’s known for its relaxed and laid-back pace of life.
Read also:
Top Things To Do In Laos During Your Holiday
As a US citizen, you can apply for the Laos eVisa.
With this visa, you can visit Laos for up to 30 days.
For anyone that is eligible, you can simply apply online for the Laos eVisa.
It’s advised that you apply for a Laos eVisa at least 7 days before you plan to arrive in Laos.
Also, your passport should be valid for at least six months from the day you plan to land in Laos.
India
India is a popular destination for travellers, especially if you are looking for a unique experience.
You can visit architectural wonders from ancient monuments like the Taj Mahal and the forts of Rajasthan to the magnificent temples of South India.
There are also ancient cities you can explore, like Varanasi, Delhi, and Jaipur.
India is renowned for its spiritual retreats in places like Rishikesh, Varanasi, Dharamshala, and Bodh Gaya. It’s also an ideal place to strengthen your yoga and meditation practices!
Of course, we have to mention the Indian cuisine! It’s renowned worldwide for its flavours and spices. Fun fact, each state in India has its own distinct culinary traditions and dishes, so there’s plenty to taste!
The India visa for US citizens is an ideal eVisa for those who want to explore India.
US citizens can enter India with an India eVisa and stay up to 180 days.
Once your Indian eVisa is granted, it will be valid for a year and you can enter multiple times.
Tanzania
Tanzania is a captivating destination with some great reasons for you to visit!
Firstly, it’s home to the world-famous Serengeti National Park, known for its incredible wildlife and the annual Great Migration where you may see millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other animals as they cross the plains to search for fresh grazing. It’s truly remarkable!
Tanzania is also home to Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. If you’re an adventure seeker, climbing this mountain is for you! You can of course also explore the lower slopes.
Tanzania is then graced with pristine white-sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters. You may have actually heard of ‘Zanzibar’, the popular beach destination which is certainly a beauty to see.
A Tanzania visa for US citizens who want to travel is the Tanzania eVisa.
As a US citizen, you can get a multiple entry visa to Tanzania, which allows you to stay in Tanzania for 90 days on each visit.
Note you can extend your Tanzania eVisa for up to three months, or six months maximum.
As a US citizen, you can get a multiple entry visa to Tanzania, which allows you to stay in Tanzania for 90 days on each visit.
Note you can extend your Tanzania eVisa for up to three months, or six months maximum.
Thailand
Thailand offers many things for its visitors, from ancient temples and palaces to breathtaking beaches and islands.
Thai cuisine is renowned worldwide for its flavours. We’re talking pad Thai, green curry, tom yum soup, and mango sticky rice.
There are so many reasons to visit, but do you need a visa for Thailand as a US citizen? The answer is yes, and the Thai Tourist Visa is ideal!
You should know that as a US citizen, you can travel to Thailand without a visa for up to 30 days.
However, if you’d like to stay any longer, you can apply for a Thailand Tourist Visa, which allows you to stay in Thailand for 60 days.
You can apply for either a single or multiple-entry tourist visa.
The single-entry visa is valid for three months, whereas, the multiple-entry visa is valid for six months and it allows you to travel to Thailand more than once. If you plan your next trip and need a visa for Thailand, Visa First can assist you!
Cambodia
The last on our list, we have Cambodia, a destination well worth the visit!
Cambodia is home to one of the most iconic archaeological sites in the world, Angkor Wat – a massive temple that’s a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Breathtaking natural landscapes are also a reason to visit Cambodia. From the tranquil Tonle Sap Lake and its floating villages to the pristine beaches of Sihanoukville and the lush Cardamom Mountains. It’s truly one for nature lovers!
The Cambodia eVisa is perfect if you want to travel to Cambodia for tourism purposes as a US citizen.
It’s a single-entry visa and it’s valid for three months from the date of approval.
It allows you to spend 30 days in Cambodia.
How to get your visa secured?
Ready to secure your visa for your travels? Visa First is here to help!
We will ensure your visa application is prepared correctly and we’ll increase your chances of a successful outcome!
Why apply with Visa First?
We’ve got 20 years of experience in securing visas worldwide
Our team of visa experts will guide you through the entire application process
We organise over 10,000 visas yearly
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