Imagine the freedom of jetting off to explore the world without the hassle of visa applications. Good news for US passport holders – that dream is closer to reality than you might think! With the power of the US passport, you can travel to 186 countries or territories visa-free or with a visa on arrival. Ranked among the top 10 passports for travel freedom, the US passport opens doors to countless adventures.
Of course, there are still some crucial details to consider before packing your bags, such as length of stay and potential registration fees. Whether your wanderlust is fueled by personal curiosity or business needs, we’ve got you covered.
Introducing our comprehensive 2023 list of visa-free countries for US citizens, complete with essential information to help you plan your next international escapade. Your ticket to globetrotting with ease awaits!
US Passport Visa Free Countries 2023
CONTINENT | COUNTRY | VISA TYPE | DURATION OF STAY |
Albania | Visa free | 90 days | |
Europe | Andorra | Visa free | 90 days |
North America | Antigua and Barbuda | Visa free | 180 days |
South America | Argentina | Visa free | 90 days |
Asia | Armenia | Visa free | 180 days |
Oceania | Visa free (Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) application needed before travel) | 90 days (valid from the first date of entry, recurring every 12 month period) | |
Europe | Austria | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area |
Europe-Asia | Azerbaijan | Visa on Arrival (only by means of a direct flight on Azerbaijan Airlines from New York City) | 30 days (applicants of Armenian descent or with Armenian visas in their passport may be denied) |
North America | Bahamas | Visa free | 240 days |
Asia | Bahrain | Visa on Arrival | 14 days |
Asia | Bangladesh | Visa on Arrival (int’l airports in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet) | 30 days |
North America | Barbados | Visa free | 6 months |
Europe | Belgium | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area |
North America | Belize | Visa free | 30 days |
South America | Bolivia | Visa on Arrival | 30 days |
Europe | Bosnia-Herzegovina | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) – Local police registration compulsory within 24 hours of arrival. |
Africa | Botswana | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 1 year) |
South America | Brazil | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) |
Asia | Brunei | Visa free | 90 days |
Europe | Bulgaria | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) |
Africa | Burkina Faso | Visa on Arrival | 1 month (International Certificate of Vaccination ICVP required) |
Africa | Burundi | Visa on Arrival (Bujumbura Int’l Airport and all land borders) | 1 month |
Asia | Cambodia | Visa on Arrival | 30 days |
North America | Visa free | 6 months | |
Oceania | Cape Verde | Visa free (online registration needed prior to arrival) | 30 days |
Africa | Central African Republic | Visa free | 180 days (ICVP required) |
South America | Chile | Visa free | 90 days |
South America | Colombia | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 1 year) |
Africa | Comoros | Visa on Arrival | – |
North America | Costa Rica | Visa free | 90 days |
Europe | Croatia | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) – Local police registration compulsory within 24 hours of arrival. |
Europe | Cyprus | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) |
Europe | Czech Republic | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area |
Europe | Denmark | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) |
North America | Dominica | Visa free | 6 months |
North America | Dominican Republic | Visa free | 30 days (extendable up to 90) |
South America | Ecuador | Visa free | 90 days (extendable for another 90 days per year) |
Africa | Egypt | Visa on Arrival (for tourists arriving at Sharm El Sheik, St. Catherine or Taba airports) | 15 days |
North America | El Salvador | Visa free | 3 months |
Africa | Equatorial Guinea | Visa free | 90 days (ICVP required) |
Europe | Estonia | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area |
Africa | Eswatini | Visa free | 30 days |
Africa | Ethiopia | Visa on Arrival (obtainable only at Addis Ababa Bole Int’l Airport) | Up to 90 days |
Oceania | Fiji | Visa free | 4 months |
Europe | Finland | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area |
Europe | France | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area |
Africa | Gabon | Visa on Arrival | 6 months (ICVP required) |
Europe | Georgia | Visa free | 1 year |
Europe | Germany | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area |
Europe | Greece | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area |
North America | Grenada | Visa free | 3 months |
North America | Guatemala | Visa free | 90 days |
Africa | Guinea-Bissau | Visa on Arrival | 90 days |
South America | Guyana | Visa free | 3 months |
North America | Haiti | Visa free | 3 months |
North America | Honduras | Visa free | 3 months |
Europe | Hungary | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area |
Asia | Hong Kong | Visa free | 90 days |
Europe | Iceland | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area |
Asia | Indonesia | Visa on Arrival | 30 days |
Asia | Iraq | Visa on Arrival | 60 days |
Europe | Visa free | 3 months | |
Asia | Israel | Visa free | 3 months |
Europe | Italy | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area |
North America | Jamaica | Visa free | 6 months |
Asia | Jordan | Visa on Arrival | 30 days |
Asia | Kazakhstan | Visa free | 30 days |
Oceania | Kiribati | Visa free | 30 days (Airport Embarkation Tax applies) |
Asia | Kuwait | Visa on Arrival | 3 months |
Asia | Kyrgyzstan | Visa free | 60 days |
Europe | Kosovo | Visa free | 90 days |
Asia | Laos | Visa on Arrival | 30 days (extendable up to 60) |
Europe | Latvia | Visa free | 180 days |
Asia | Lebanon | Visa on Arrival | 1 month (extendable for 2 additional months) |
Africa | Lesotho | Visa free | 14 days (extendable up to 180) |
Europe | Liechtenstein | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area |
Europe | Lithuania | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area |
Europe | Luxembourg | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area |
Europe | Macedonia | Visa free | 90 days (Local police registration is compulsory within 24 hours of arrival) |
Africa | Madagaskar | Visa on Arrival | 90 days |
Asia | Visa free | 3 months | |
Asia | Maldives | Visa on Arrival | 30 days (extendable up to 90) |
Europe | Malta | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area |
Africa | Mauritania | Visa on Arrival | ICVP required |
Africa | Mauritius | Visa free | 90 days |
North America | Mexico | Visa free | 180 days |
Oceania | Micronesia | Visa free | Unlimited |
Europe | Moldova | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180). Local police registration is compulsory within 24 hours of arrival. |
Europe | Monaco | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) |
Asia | Mongolia | Visa free | 90 days (Registration required after 30 days) |
Europe | Montenegro | Visa free | 90 days (Local police registration is compulsory within 24 hours of arrival) |
Africa | Morocco | Visa free | 3 months |
Africa | Mozambique | Visa on Arrival | 30 days |
Africa | Namibia | Visa free | 3 months |
Asia | Nepal | Visa on Arrival | 90 days |
Europe | Netherlands | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area |
Oceania | Visa free (Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) application needed before travel) | 3 months | |
North America | Nicaragua | Visa free | 90 days |
Europe | Norway | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) |
Oceania | Palau | Visa free | 1 year |
Asia | Palestinian Territories | Visa free | – |
North America | Panama | Visa free | 180 days |
Oceania | Papua New Guinea | Visa on Arrival | 60 days (extendable for another 30 days) |
South America | Paraguay | Visa free | 90 days |
South America | Peru | Visa free | 90 days |
Asia | Visa free | 30 days | |
Europe | Poland | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area |
Europe | Portugal | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area |
Asia | Qatar | Visa free | 30 days |
Europe | Romania | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) |
Africa | Rwanda | Visa on Arrival | 30 days (ICVP required) |
North America | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Visa free | 30 days |
North America | Saint Lucia | Visa free | 6 weeks |
North America | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Visa free | 6 months |
Oceania | Samoa | Visa free | 60 days |
Africa | Sao Tome and Principe | Visa free | 15 days (ICVP required) |
Asia | Saudi Arabia | Visa on Arrival | 90 days |
Africa | Senegal | Visa free | 90 days (ICVP required) |
Europe | Serbia | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) |
Africa | Seychelles | Free Visitor’s Permit on Arrival | 3 months |
Africa | Sierra Leone | Visa on Arrival | ICVP required |
Asia | Singapore | Visa free | 90 days |
Europe | Slovakia | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area (Registration within 3 working days after arrival required) |
Europe | Slovenia | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area (Registration within 72 hours after arrival required) |
Oceania | Solomon Islands | Free Visitor’s Permit on Arrival | Not exceeding 3 months (within 12 months) |
Africa | Somalia | Visa on Arrival | 30 days |
Africa | Visa free | 90 days | |
Asia | South Korea | Visa free (Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) application needed before travel) | 90 days |
Europe | Spain | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area |
Asia | Sri Lanka | Visa on Arrival | 30 days |
Europe | Sweden | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area |
Europe | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) in the Schengen Area | |
Asia | Tajikistan | Visa free | 30 days |
Africa | Tanzania | Visa on Arrival | 3 months |
Asia | Thailand | Visa free | 30 days |
Asia | Timor Leste | Visa on Arrival (for air arrivals only) | 30 days |
Africa | Togo | Visa on Arrival | 7 days |
Oceania | Tonga | Visa on Arrival | 31 days |
North America | Trinidad and Tobago | Visa free | 90 days |
Africa | Tunisia | Visa free | 90 days |
Oceania | Tuvalu | Visa on Arrival | 1 month (extendable up to 3 months) |
Africa | Uganda | Visa on Arrival | 90 days (ICVP required) |
Europe | Ukraine | Visa free | Not exceeding 90 days (within 180) |
Asia | United Arab Emirates | Visa free | 30 days |
Europe | United Kingdom | Visa free | 6 months |
South America | Uruguay | Visa free | 3 months |
Oceania | Vanuatu | Visa free | 30 days |
Europe | Vatican City | Visa free | – |
Africa | Zambia | Visa on Arrival | 90 days (ICVP required) |
Africa | Zimbabwe | Visa on Arrival (for tourism purposes only) | 3 months |
EU countries are among the visa free countries for Americans. But all US citizens will need to submit a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) application before traveling to Europe as of May 2023.
Apart from US passport countries without visa requirements, there are countries where US citizens can travel without a passport, such as Puerto Rico.
Countries That Require e-Visas for US Citizens
Aside from the nations that do not require visas, there are a few more that may require some sort of paperwork instead of a visa. These may include eVisas or electronic travel documents, as we’ve stated on the above list.
In addition, there are some nations where you can only obtain a visa once you’ve arrived. According to their laws, the authorities must stamp a visa on your passport as soon as you enter certain other countries’ customs or border areas. The length of your stay and the specific laws and regulations of the nation you are visiting will determine the visa’s validity.
Countries With Visa Requirements for US Citizens
Finally, there are some nations for which a visa is definitely required. The requirements of the nation you intend to visit will determine how the visa application procedure works. Since most of these nations have a poor relationship with the US, obtaining a visa for them can be challenging.
The countries and territories that US citizens need a visa to enter are listed below.
- Abkhazia
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Artsakh
- Bhutan
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Chad
- China
- Crimea
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Republic of the Congo
- Cuba
- Eritrea
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Hainan
- Iran
- Iraq
- Liberia
- Libya
- Mali
- Margarita Island
- Nauru
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Sierra Leone
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tokelau
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
- Venezuela
- Yemen
🇰🇵 Note that US citizens aren’t allowed to enter North Korea.
In Conclusion: Visa Free Countries for Americans
There it is; visa-free countries for US citizens… Holding a US passport brings many advantages in terms of travel and mobility. Still, before you travel to any country, make sure to check the general requirements, such as health insurance or vaccination certificates. Also, finding out where the US embassy is located in your destination will be helpful.
If you enjoyed this article, check out our article on Places You Can Travel Without a Passport for Americans.
Are you a US citizen? Do you think a US passport gives you the travel freedom you want? Let us know in the forum discussion below…
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is UK one of the visa free countries for US citizens?
Yes, US passport holders can travel to United Kingdom without a visa. If you’re a Green Card holder, you’ll need a visa, though.
Are EU countries visa free countries for US?
Yes, US citizens can visit EU Schengen countries without a visa. They are permitted to stay for up to 90 days for travel or business with a current US passport within any 180-day term.
Is Russia among the visa free travel countries for US citizens?
No, Russia doesn’t grant visa free access to US citizens. As a US citizen, you’ll need to get a visa to enter Russia.
Which countries provide eVisas for US passport holders?
US citizens can obtain eVisas from these 12 countries:
- Angola
- Azerbaijan
- Benin
- Djibouti
- Ethiopia
- India
- Kenya
- Myanmar
- Suriname
- Turkey
- Uganda
- Vietnam
Acquiring an eVisa is similar to the traditional visa application process but is completed online, including payment. After approval, you'll receive an email with your visa status and a document to print and bring along while traveling.
Which countries offer Visa on Arrival for US citizens?
US passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in the following 41 countries:
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Bolivia
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cape Verde
- Comoros
- Egypt
- Gabon
- Guinea-Bissau
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Mauritania
- Mozambique
- Nepal
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Rwanda
- Samoa
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- St. Helena
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- United Arab Emirates
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Visa on arrival applications are typically submitted at a designated area in the airport upon entering the country.
Which countries are off-limits for US passport holders?
US citizens are not allowed to enter Cuba, North Korea, and Syria.
What documents are needed for US citizens to apply for a visa?
While requirements vary depending on the destination, most countries require the following documents for a visa application:
- Valid US passport (and photocopy) with at least six months of validity.
- Completed visa application form.
- Recent passport photos.
- Travel health insurance.
- Proof of visa fee payment.
- Detailed travel itinerary.
- Letter of invitation (if applicable).
- Proof of booked return ticket.
- Proof of booked accommodation.
- Proof of sufficient funds for the trip.
- Civil status documents.
Note: Visa applications may be rejected for those with a criminal history.
Is a US passport needed for international travel?
Yes, a passport is required for international travel. Passports are essential for exiting and entering the United States and all other countries, as they serve as valid identification for travelers.
I'm an enthusiast with extensive knowledge about international travel and visa requirements. To establish my expertise, I'll first provide information on various concepts mentioned in the article you provided:
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US Passport Travel Freedom: The US passport allows its holders to travel to 186 countries or territories either visa-free or with a visa on arrival. This indicates that US passport holders enjoy a high level of global travel freedom. It's important to note that the number of visa-free countries can vary based on diplomatic agreements and regulations.
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Visa-Free Travel: Visa-free travel refers to the ability to enter a foreign country without the need to obtain a visa in advance. US citizens can visit certain countries for a specified duration without a visa, often for tourism or business purposes. The permitted duration of stay varies by country.
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Visa on Arrival (VOA): Some countries allow US citizens to obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport or border checkpoint. This means travelers can enter these countries without obtaining a visa in advance but will need to complete the visa application process upon arrival.
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Schengen Area: The Schengen Area is a group of European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders. US citizens can typically travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa.
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Electronic Travel Authority (ETA): An ETA is an electronic travel authorization that US citizens may need to obtain before traveling to certain countries. It is usually a simple online application process that grants permission to enter the country for a specific duration.
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E-Visa: An e-visa is a digital visa that travelers can apply for online. E-visas have become increasingly popular as they simplify the visa application process and eliminate the need to visit an embassy or consulate.
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European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS): As of May 2023, US citizens traveling to Europe's Schengen Area will need to apply for an ETIAS before their trip. It is a pre-travel authorization system designed to enhance security and streamline entry for visitors from visa-exempt countries.
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Countries Requiring Visas: Some countries require US citizens to obtain a visa before entry. These countries often have specific visa application processes and requirements, and obtaining a visa can be more challenging, depending on diplomatic relations.
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US Embassy: US citizens traveling abroad should be aware of the location of the nearest US embassy or consulate in case they require assistance or emergency services while abroad.
Now that we've covered these concepts, travelers with a US passport can explore the list of visa-free countries, countries offering visas on arrival, and countries that require visas, as provided in the article, to plan their international travels accordingly. Always remember to verify the specific entry requirements for each destination before departure.
