Visa Requirements for US Citizen - Visa Required Countries that American Passport Holders NEED TO APPLY For a Tourist Visa to Enter the Country
The US Passport is a powerful key to travel the world. A previous post discussed Visa-free countries for US Citizens. However, there are a few countries an American Citizens needs a Tourist Visa to enter.
We will be discussing which countries require a visa for US citizens. You will have a complete list of countries and also visa requirements for US citizens so that you can travel all over the world.
REQUIREMENTS COMMON TO VISA APPLICATIONS
Though each country has different VISA Requirements, there are common documents that you can prepare for your visit:
1. Passport valid for at least six months (with two or more vacant pages)
2. Filled Up Visa Application Form (you can check the embassy’s website)
3. Passport Photo
5. Payment for VISA FEE
COMPLETE LIST OF COUNTRIES THAT NEED TOURIST VISA FOR US CITIZENS
Asia
Bhutan
Note: You need to arrange a pre-booked tour with a tourist agency in Bhutan as the tour operators are the one who can apply for you. Do not worry; you will not send your passport but only a digital copy. Purchase & confirm your air-tickets with Drukair or Bhutan Airlines.
China
Additional Requirements: Itinerary: Airline booking (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation
Visa Fee: $160 for Single Entry, $140 for Multiple Entry for 6 Months
Iran
Note: Book a trip through a travel agency and submit an application online for an authorization code. Apply within 30 days of receiving your code.
I recommend booking your tour through Visit Our Iran, the first Iranian Tour Marketplace. Through their web platform, you can find a large variety of private and group tours from dozens of trusted tour operators. You can get a 10% discount when you use our code TWOMONKEYSTRAVEL2019VOI.
Iraq
Additional Requirements: Official letter stating the purpose of travel, duration of stay. Provide also a valid phone number
Visa Fee: $150 for single-entry visas
Russia
There are other ways you can enter Russia visa-free by going on a cruise or a ferry to St Petersburg that would allow you to stay for 72 hours visa-free.
Additional Requirements: Letter of invitation for visa support – a confirmation from a Russian hosting travel agency or hotel registered with the Russian Federal Agency for Tourism
Visa Fee: $160
Saudi Arabia
Lately Saudi Arabia are doing events that would allow you to get an e-visa like the F1 event.
Note: Saudi Arabia doesn’t issue a Tourist Visa yet. Instead, you need to have a Visitor Visa where you need an official invite from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The one person you will visit must contact MOFA to have an invite issued.
Visa Fee: $150 for single-entry visas
Afghanistan
Additional Requirements: State in detail the nature of your tour and places you intend to travel in Afghanistan
Visa Fee: $160, 30 days
Turkmenistan
Note: Appropriate proof of identity (such as a personal ID or a driver’s license), you need to contact a tourist agency and obtain permission from them
Visa Fee: $35 for single-entry up to 10 days
Yemen
Additional Requirements: Copy of Return Ticket or Itinerary, Health Certificate/Doctor’s Note
Africa
Algeria
Additional Requirements: An invitation letter signed and legalized at a local city hall from your host in Algeria or a hotel reservation
Visa Fee: $160
Burundi
Additional Requirements: a confirmed or unconfirmed round-trip ticket or a letter from a travel agency, Yellow Fever Vaccine Certificate, Proof of hotel reservation
Visa Fee: $90 Single/Multiple Entry for 30 days
Cameroon
Additional Requirements: Copy of flight/trip reservation from airline or travel agency confirming the trip itinerary to Cameroon, Yellow fever immunization certificate, recent bank statement
Visa Fee: $93
Chad
Additional Requirements: An attestation from your employer stating the reason for your travel to Chad, clearly marking the date of departure from the US, round trip ticket, or have a valid reservation from a travel agency
Visa Fee: $150 1 month single entry
Republic of the Congo
Additional Requirements: Hotel reservation, copy of airline tickets or itinerary
Visa Fee: $200
Democratic Republic of Congo
Additional Requirements: Invitation letter, notarized and legalized by MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Yellow Fever Vaccination Card, Flight Itinerary
Visa Fee: $175 1 month single entry
Eritrea
Additional Requirements: Proof of sufficient funds to cover all expense
Visa Fee: $50
Gambia
Visa Fee: $100
Ghana
Additional Requirements: Provide two (2) Contact Persons/places in Ghana /Indicate if Hotel/Guest House etc., bank statement, hotel reservation, possible sightseeing places
Visa Fee: $60 Single Entry
Guinea
Additional Requirements: Yellow fever vaccination certificate, a letter stating the purpose of your trip
Visa Fee: $160
Liberia
Additional Requirements: Flight itinerary, Valid Certificate of Immunization
Libya
Additional Requirements: Government authorization or approval document to enter Libya (usually supplied by a Libyan tour operator), round trip airline tickets, or itinerary or e-ticket, or letter of confirmation from a travel agent,
Mali
Additional Requirements: Yellow fever certificate
Visa Fee: $131
Niger
Visa Fee: $155
Nigeria
Additional Requirements: A formal typed letter stating the purpose of the visit and full itinerary, signed and dated, addressed to the Nigerian High Commission Embassy / Consulate, most recent bank statement, paid flight in and out Nigeria, proof of accommodation
Sierra Leone
Additional Requirements: Evidence of Yellow Fever Vaccine
Visa Fee: $160
South Sudan
Additional Requirements: Official LETTER FROM YOUR ORGANIZATION and or Invitation letter addressed to the Embassy of South Sudan from your organization in South Sudan, explaining the purpose of your travel
Visa Fee: $160
Sudan
Additional Requirements: A Hotel or Travel Agency based in Sudan, Yellow fever and cholera vaccinations
Visa Fee: $154
Oceania
Australia
Requirements: Apply for an Electronic Travel Authority online: you must have your passport, email address, and a valid credit card to complete the online application.
Nauru
Additional Requirements: Return Ticket, Hotel Booking, International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever
Visa Fee: $154
South America
Venezuela
Additional Requirements: Letter of bank certifying the account, original employer certificate specifying the salary, copy of return ticket or travel certificate by agency
Restricted Countries
Cuba
Note: Tourist travel to Cuba remains prohibited. You must obtain a license to enter Cuba.
North Korea
Note: Travel is restricted; you must get a special passport from the US Federal Government
Syria
Note: Visa currently not available to US residents
We hope you now know which countries require a visa for US citizens and VISA requirements for US Citizens! For US Passport Holders, there are only a few countries where you need to apply for a tourist visa. However, there are travel bans for a few countries that hopefully will be lifted so you can travel to all countries.