Where Can Americans Go without a Visa? A List of Hassle-Free Travel Possibilities
- thereseholland
- May 3, 2015
- 7 min read
Did you know that you can't just go anywhere, even if it's only for a few days?
While planning a trip to Brazil last year, I was surprised to find out that I had to apply for a visa months in advance, even if I only wanted to go for a week's vacation!
So, want to know where you (as an American) can go without doing a hell of a lot of paperwork? I've included all of the places you can book a trip to at the drop of a hat—without filing any documents. All you need is your passport and a ticket!
Please note that some of these are visas on arrival, meaning you can pay for documents when you arrive.
Please also note the countries that are a part of the Schengen Area, and they have been starred (*). More information: Travelling to the Schengen Area.
So here they are:
COUNTRY // DETAILS
Albania // No visa required, but there is an entry feed. Maximum stay of 30 days
Andorra // Maximum stay of 90 days
Anguilla // Maximum stay of 3 months
Antigua & Barbuda // Maximum stay of 1 month
Argentina // Maximum stay of 3 months
Armenia // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 21 days
Aruba // Maximum stay of 3 months
Austria* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Azerbaijan // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 30 days
Bahamas // Maximum stay of 1 month
Bahrain // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 14 days
Bali (Indonesia) // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 30 days, but can be extended for additional 30 days
Barbados // Maximum stay of 6 months
Belgium* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Belize // Maximum stay of 1 month
Bermuda // Maximum stay of 6 months
Bolivia // Maximum stay of 90 days
Bosnia & Herzegovina // Maximum stay of 90 days
Botswana // Maximum stay of 90 days
British Virgin Islands // Maximum stay of 30 days
Brunei Darussalam // Maximum stay of 90 days
Bulgaria // Maximum stay of 90 days
Cambodia // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 1 month
Canada // Maximum stay of 6 months
Cayman Islands // Maximum stay of 30 days
Chile // Maximum stay of 90 days
Colombia // Maximum stay of 90 days
Costa Rica // Maximum stay of 90 days
Cook Islands // Maximum stay of 31 days
Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) // Maximum stay of 90 days
Croatia // Maximum stay of 90 days
Cyprus & Northern Cyprus // Maximum stay of 90 days
Czech Republic* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Denmark (including Faroe Islands & Greenland)* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Djibouti // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 1 month
Dominica // Maximum stay of 6 months
Dominican Republic // Tourist card issued on arrival. Maximum stay of 30 days
Ecuador // Maximum stay of 90 days.
Egypt // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 30 days
El Salvador // Maximum stay of 3 months
Equatorial Guinea // Maximum stay of 90 days
Eritrea // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 1 month
Ethiopia // Visa on arrival, Maximum stay of 3 months
Fiji // Maximum stay of 4 months
Finland* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
France (including Monaco)* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
French Guiana // Maximum stay of 3 months
French Polynesia // Maximum stay of 1 month
French Antilles (French West Indies) // Maximum stay of 90 days
Georgia // Maximum stay of 90 days
Germany* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Greece* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Grenada // Maximum stay of 3 months
Guatemala // Maximum stay of 90 days
Guyana // Maximum stay of 3 months
Haiti // Maximum stay of 3 months
Honduras // Maximum stay of 3 months
Hong Kong // Maximum stay of 3 months
Hungary* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Iceland* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Indonesia // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 30 days, but can be extended for an additional 30 days
Ireland // Maximum stay of 3 months
Israel // Maximum stay of 3 months
Italy* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Jamaica // Maximum stay of 6 months
Japan // Maximum stay of 90 days
Jordan // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 3 months
Korea (South) // Maximum stay of 1 month
Kosovo // Maximum stay of 90 days
Kuwait // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay 3 months
Kyrgyzstan // Maximum stay of 1 month
Laos // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 30 days
Latvia* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Lebanon // Visa on arrival. Visa issued for 1 month, can be extended for up to 3 months
Lesotho // Maximum stay of 180 days
Lithuania* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Luxembourg* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Macedonia // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Malawi // Maximum stay of 90 days
Malaysia // Maximum stay of 3 months
Malta // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Marshall Islands // No visa required, no known stay limitations
Mauritius // Maximum stay of 6 months
Mexico // Maximum stay of 6 months
Micronesia // No minimum stay. Working without a visa is allowed
Moldova // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Mongolia // Maximum stay of 90 days
Montserrat // Maximum stay of 3 months
Morocco // Maximum stay of 90 days
Namibia // Maximum stay of 3 months
Nepal // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 150 days
Netherlands (Holland)* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
New Caledonia // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
New Zealand // Maximum stay of 3 months
Nicaragua // Maximum stay of 90 days
Niue // Maximum stay of 30 days
Norway* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Oman // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 1 month
Palau // Visa not required for stays up to 30 days
Panama // Visa not required. Maximum stay of 180 days, with option to apply to extend
Peru // Maximum stay of 90 days
Philippines // Maximum stay of 30 days
Poland* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Portugal* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Qatar // Visa on arrival, maximum stay of 30 days
Reunion Island // Maximum stay of 90 days
Romania // Maximum stay of 90 days per 6 month period
Samoa (Western) // Maximum stay of 60 days
Senegal // Maximum stay of 3 months
Serbia // Maximum stay of 90 days
Seychelles // Maximum stay 1 month, can apply to extend for up to one year
Singapore // Maximum stay of 30 days
Slovakia* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Slovenia* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Solomon Islands // Maximum stay 3 months
South Africa // Maximum stay of 90 days
Spain* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Sri Lanka // Visa on arrival, Maximum stay of 30 days
Saint Kitts and Nevis // Maximum stay of 90 days
St. Lucia // Maximum stay of 6 months
St. Vincent and The Grenadines // Maximum stay of 30 days
Swaziland // Maximum stay of 2 months
Sweden* // Maximum stay of 90 days per period of 180 days
Switzerland* // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
Tanzania // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 12 months
Thailand // Maximum stay of 30 days per visit
Timor Leste (East Timor) // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 30 days
Togo // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 7 days
Tonga // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 31 days
Trinidad & Tobago // Maximum stay of 3 months
Tunisia // Maximum stay of 90 days
Turkey // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 3 months
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus // Maximum stay of 3 months
Turks and Caicos // Maximum stay of 90 days
Tuvalu // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 1 month
Ukraine // Maximum stay of 90 days per 180 day period
United Arab Emirates // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 30 days
United Kingdom (England, Norterhn Ireland, Wales, Scotland) // Maximum stay of 6 months per year
Uruguay // Maximum stay of 3 months
Vanuatu // Maximum stay of 30 days
Virgin Islands (UK) // Maximum stay of 30 days
Zambia // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 90 days
Zimbabwe // Visa on arrival. Maximum stay of 3 months
Important things (PROTIPS!) to note before travel to these countries:
These visa-free entries typically cover visits for tourism purposes only. If you intend to work in any of these countries, you'll need to research what you're allowed to do. Check out my other visa tips to find out more about staying in a country for work.
Some of these countries require vaccinations before entry. Check out more info with the Department of State website. You can even search by country, to find info on preparation for a specific country.
You will need blank visa pages for the entry and/or exit stamp.
Your passport needs to be valid for some time before entry. This varies by country, but expect that your passport should be valid 1-6 months in advance, and not expire during your intended stay.
If you decide to take advantage of the visa regulations, say to live in a country for the full 90 days allowed, note that this does not garauntee you multiple re-entries. In other words, border agencies will give you a hard time if they see you continue to re-enter the country, even within your legally allowed stay. Multiple re-entries without say, a work or student visa, looks suspicious—like you are an illegal immigrant.
Also, in case you are not the brightest crayon in the box, as an American, you also do not need a visa for U.S. territories:
American Samoa
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands
Minor Outlying Islands:
Bajo Nuevo Bank
Baker Island
Howland Island
Jarvis Island
Johnston Atoll
Kingman Reef
Midway Islands
Navassa Island
Palmyra Atoll
Serranilla Bank
Wake Island
I hope this list helps you with your move or visit abroad! We have many options as Americans for extended stays in so many countries, so make the most of it!
Don't forget to check out more of my tips on how to move abroad and how to get a visa!
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