Editor’s Note: This is a frequently seen post with new information updated regularly.
If you hold a U.S. passport, you may be used to traveling internationally with relatively easy ease. So, you might be surprised to find that there are several countries that still require Americans to skip some basketball visits. As of May 2025, at least 15 countries have required U.S. citizens to obtain a tourist visa or other form of electronic travel authorization before visiting.
notes The list does not cover countries where the U.S. State Department recommends U.S. citizens to issue Level 4 travel advice. It also does not include No visa has been issued for Americans or TPGs and has not been recently or regularly covered.
This is what you need to know.
U.K.
type: Electronic travel authorization. Although not technically a visa, ETA is similar to the US’s own travel authorization program, and all Americans need to visit the UK alone
How to apply: Online or through the app. Find more information here.
Length of time: Effective, can be visited multiple times in two years for up to six months.
cost: £16 (approximately $22).
Processing time: Up to three working days.
Australia
type: Australian electronic travel agency.
How to apply: Use the Australian ETA app or online through the Australian Government.
Length of time: Unlimited unlimited stays up to three months in a 12-month period.
cost: 20 Australian dollars (about $13).
Processing time: Within one working day.
Pakistan
type: Visa before arrival.
How to apply: Online by Pakistan Government. Find more information here.
Length of time: Valid multiple visits within 90 days.
cost: N/A.
Processing time: One working day.
Bhutan
type: Bhutan visa.
How to apply: Online through local travel agencies or Bhutanese government. Find more information here.
Length of time: Valid during the scheduled trip; airport tickets cannot be purchased until a visa permit is received.
cost: A one-time application fee of $40 and a sustainability fee of $100 per day per day ($50 per day for children 6 to 11 years old; free for children under 6 years old).
Processing time: Up to five working days.
Bolivia
type: Bolivia tourist visa.
How to apply: Online via the Bolivian Consulate. According to the U.S. Embassy in Bolivia, you can also apply in person at the U.S. Bolivia Embassy or on the U.S. or on any land or air boundary.
Length of time: Valid access is up to 30 days, and a total of 90 days within one year.
cost: $160.
Processing time: N/A.
Brazil
type: As of April 2025, Brazilian Evisa requested it.
How to apply: Online through a website authorized by the Brazilian government.
Length of time: Validity period is up to 90 days within one year.
cost: $80.90.
Processing time: Up to five working days.
China
type: China tourist visa.
How to apply: Before applying for a Chinese embassy or consulate in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco or Washington, DC, please pass online through the Chinese Foreign Ministry
Length of time: Usually up to 60 days per visit over a period of three months or more.
cost: $140.
Processing time: Four working days.
Egypt
type: Egyptian Eviza.
How to apply: Through the Egyptian Ministry of Interior or to the Egyptian Airport online.
Length of time: Access within 90 days is valid for up to 30 days.
cost: The one-time admission fee is USD 25 and the extra visa is USD 60.
Processing time: Two to seven working days.
India
type: Evisa, India.
How to apply: Online via Immigration Agency of India. Find more information here.
Length of time: Valid access is up to 30 days within one year.
cost: $10 to $80, depending on access time and validity length.
Processing time: 72 hours.
Ghana
type: Ghana Visa.
How to apply: Online via the Embassy of Ghana.
Length of time: Access is valid for up to 30 days within three months, or multiple visits over a longer period of time.
cost: A single visa costs $60, and multiple entries costs $100.
Processing time: 15 to 20 working days after receiving the hard copy application.
Indonesia
type: Indonesian visa upon arrival.
How to apply: Online through the Indonesian government. Find more information here.
Length of time: Effectively travel once within 90 days of release (up to 30 days).
cost: 500,000 Indonesian Indonesia (about $30).
Processing time: N/A.
Kenya
type: Kenya electronic travel authorization.
How to apply: Online through Immigration Services.
Length of time: Valid for 90 days from the date of release.
cost: $30.
Processing time: Three working days.
Myanmar
type: Myanmar travel Evisa.
How to apply: Through the Ministry of Immigration and Population Online.
Length of time: From the 90-day issuance time, the validity period is 28 days.
cost: $50.
Processing time: Three working days.
New Zealand
type: Electronic Tourism New Zealand.
How to apply: Online via New Zealand Immigration or App.
Length of time: It will be valid for up to three months from a two-year issuance period.
cost: There are $17 in New Zealand dollars ($10) on the app and 23 in New Zealand dollars ($14) online. You must also pay 100 NZ dollars ($59) to international visitors protection and tourism tax.
Processing time: 72 hours.
Vietnam
type: Vietnam electronic visa.
How to apply: Online by Vietnamese Government.
Length of time: Valid within 90 days of release.
cost: One entry is $25 and multiple entries are $50.
Processing time: Three working days.
Bottom line
Given that processing schedules, fees and even application requirements will vary over time, we recommend that you check your country of interest before traveling to make sure you are up to date with the latest process. Remember that most countries require at least six months of validity on your passport, so renew them in advance.
We also recommend bookmarking the State Department page for each country as it provides information about visas, safety and more and participates in the Smart Traveler Admission Program. For more information, see the U.S. Embassy associated with each international destination.
Related readings:
- When and how to update your passport
- Passport errors should be avoided
- Everything you need to know about emergency passports
