how to visit us without visa

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• For International Visitors

Visa Waiver Program

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) , administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in consultation with the State Department, permits citizens of 41 countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa. In return, those 41 countries must permit U.S. citizens and nationals to travel to their countries for a similar length of time without a visa for business or tourism purposes.

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)

ESTA is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Authorization via ESTA does not determine whether a traveler is admissible to the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers determine admissibility upon travelers’ arrival. The ESTA application collects biographic information and answers to VWP eligibility questions. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, though it is recommended that travelers apply as soon as they begin preparing travel plans or prior to purchasing airline tickets.

Other Visa Information

• Frequently Asked Questions about the VWP and the VWP Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015
• Frequently Asked Questions about the VWP and the ESTA
• VWP Signatory Carriers List
• Guam- CNMI Visa Waiver Program
• Guam-CNMI VWP Signatory Carriers
• Travel by Pleasure Boats or Ferries

Flying to Canada? Entry Rules Have Changed

Canada has introduced a new entry requirement, known as Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) , for visa-exempt foreign nationals traveling to Canada by air. Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travelers with a valid visa.

Apply for a Canada eTA

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Visit the U.S.

Generally, if you want to visit ( and not live in ) the United States you must first obtain a visitor visa . Travelers from certain countries may be exempt from this requirement. For more information, please see the U.S. Department of State website .

If you want to travel to the United States for reasons other than business or pleasure, you must apply for a visa in the appropriate category. This includes if you want to study, work as a crew member or journalist, etc. You can get help determining which visa you need by using the Explore My Options page.

Extending Your Visit

If Customs and Border Protection (CBP)  authorizes your admission to the United States at the designated port of entry, you will receive a stamped Form I-94, Record of Arrival-Departure . If you wish to stay beyond the time indicated on the Form I-94, you may apply for an extension by filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status , with USCIS.

If You Lose Form I-94

You may apply for a replacement Form I-94 by filing a Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival/Departure Record .

• Adjustment of Status
• E-2      Treaty Investors
• E-3      Australian Speciality Workers
• Green Cards
• H-1B    Specialty Workers
• H-1B1  Chileans and Singaporeans
• H-3     Trainees
• International Entrepreneur Parole
• K-1       Fiance or Fiancee
• L-1       Intra-company Transfers
• Marriage to a U.S. Citizen
• O-1      Extraordinary Ability
• P-1       Athletes or Entertainers
• P-3      Artists or Entertainers
• TN (Canada)     NAFTA Professional
• TN (Mexico)     NAFTA Professional

U.S. Visa Wavier Program:

When can you enter the u.s. without a visa, introduction.

The Visa Waiver Program allows foreign nationals from certain designated countries to enter the U.S. for a period of up to 90 days as a visitor for business or pleasure without obtaining a visa.

As of May 2018, this is the list of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program.

• Czech Republic
• Republic of Korea
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom (those with unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man)

To enter the U.S. under the VWP, you should fulfill certain criteria:

• Be a national of the VWP country that issued your passport.
• Have a Machine-Readable e-Passport lawfully issued to you by a VWP country that is valid for six .months beyond your intended visit and contains an embedded electronic chip.
• Be a nonimmigrant (you have a home in a foreign country you have no intention of abandoning).
• Intend to enter the U.S. for 90 days or less.
• Obtain authorization to travel on VWP through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
• Not pose a safety or health threat to the U.S.
• Not have failed to comply with the conditions of any previous admission under the VWP or nonimmigrant visa.
• Must not have traveled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia and Yemen on or after March 1, 2011 except for diplomatic or military purposes in the service of a VWP country.
• Must not also be a national of Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria.

Advantages And Disadvantages of VWP

The obvious advantage of entering the U.S. under the VWP is that you may travel to the U.S. without first obtaining a visa unless you are otherwise inadmissible.

The disadvantages of the VWP are that you may not change or extend your nonimmigrant status after entering the U.S. If you are denied admission at the port of entry, you have no right to administrative or judicial review. Likewise, if you are found to have violated the terms of your admission, you also forfeit the right to contest a removal order. Visa Waiver entrants, like all other foreign nationals in the U.S., who overstay their authorized stay by either six months or one year are subject to the three and ten-year bars as they are ‘unlawfully present’ in the U.S. If detained by immigration authorities for overstaying or otherwise violating the terms of your admission, VWP entrants can be removed immediately.

Act Now - free spots fill up fast!

Short Trips To Canada, Mexico or Adjacent Islands While on VWP

Generally, VWP entrants may be readmitted to the U.S. after a departure to Canada or Mexico or adjacent islands  for the balance of their original admission period , provided they are otherwise admissible and meet all the conditions of the VWP, with the exception of arrival on a signatory carrier – in which case the inspecting officers has the discretion to grant the applicants entirely new periods of admission.

Visa-free travel under the VWP is surely hassle-free, but before you plan your trip to the U.S., it is your responsibility to ensure that the purpose and duration of your trip comports with the Visa Waiver Program.

We at VisaPro keep track of all the developments related to the Visa Waiver Program and will continue to update you on the latest happenings.

Contact VisaPro if you have any questions regarding any type of business or work visas. Our experienced attorneys will be happy to assist you.

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Where U.S. Citizens Can Travel Without a Visa

Where can U.S. citizens travel without a visa? Here's what you need to know before planning your next international trip.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

Luckily for most Americans, the main thing you have to worry about before jetting off on vacation is making sure your passport is up-to-date . U.S. citizens have pretty unrestricted access to most international stops. However, that doesn't mean you never have to check if your destination of choice requires a visa. So, where can U.S. citizens travel without a visa? A better question might be: Where can't Americans travel without a visa?

Despite any restrictions placed on travel during the first two years of the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. citizens continue to have one of the world's most powerful passports , allowing for visa-free access to most countries around the globe. In fact, the Henley & Partners Passport Index ranked the U.S. passport seventh in its 2023 list of the world's passports because it provides citizens visa-free access to 187 destinations, including countries that require Electronic Travel Authorization (often called an eTA) or a visa on arrival.

Americans can travel to most European, Caribbean, and Central and South American countries without a visa, along with many other popular tourism destinations. Countries that U.S. passport holders need visas to enter include Russia, India, China, Vietnam, Turkey, and more, and others require e-visas to visit.

If you want to see where you can travel without a visa, start by visiting the Henley & Partners Passport Index and selecting the country that your passport is from. Then, you can see which countries require a visa to visit. Find more information on the U.S. Department of State travel site , where you can search specific country requirements.

Of course, visa-free travel doesn't give U.S. citizens the ability to go wherever they want for as long as they want. The amount of time that you can stay in a country without needing a visa varies from place to place, so be sure to check the local immigration and customs rules before planning your trip, especially if you're hoping to travel for an extended period of time. If you're visiting a destination that requires a visa, know that the process can be lengthy and expensive, so factor that in when choosing your departure date and trip budget.

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No Visa Required

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While a travel visa is required for U.S. citizens to enter many countries , there are quite a few places you can visit where no visa is needed. If you're set on an international adventure but making every effort to cut expenses, choosing a destination from the list below is one more way to save some money on travel expenses .

The countries are listed according to the length of time that travelers are permitted to stay without the need to get a visa. If you are planning a trip to a location that is not listed below, you should verify the travel entry requirements .

No Visa Required for a Stay of Up to 30 Days

• British Virgin Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Dominican Republic (tourist card required)
• Kiribati (up to 28 days)
• Marshall Islands
• Philippines
• Saint Lucia (up to 42 days)
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• United Arab Emirates

No Visa Required for a Stay of Up to 60 Days

No visa required for a stay of up to 90 days.

• Andorra (France)
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Czech Republic*
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Fiji (up to 120 days)
• French Guiana
• French Polynesia (Marqesas Islands)
• Galapagos Islands
• Liechtenstein*
• Luxembourg*
• Netherlands*
• Netherlands Antilles
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• San Marino*
• Sint Maarten
• Slovakia (Slovak Republic)*
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Switzerland*
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turks and Caicos
• United Kingdom
• The Vatican*

* Note - as of 2021, countries that are part of Europe's Schengen Area require business and leasure travelers to procure an ETIAS visa waiver online before departure. The approval process is only expected to take between 1 and 96 hours and will cost less than $10 US .

No Visa Required for a Stay of Up to 180 Days 

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Central African Republic (visa may be required by airline)
• Peru (up to 183 days)

No Visa Required for a Stay of Up to 240 Days 

• The Bahamas

No Visa Required for Stays up to 1 Year or more

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Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

53 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with US visa [2024 edition]

Updated: February 10, 2024 721 Comments

Yes, you read it correctly. Travel 53 countries and territories VISA-FREE with US visa.

I always encourage travelers from developing countries to get a US visa at some point. It opens up doors to many other countries. More and more countries are offering visa exemption with a valid US visa. This list is growing fast.

If you are worried that the VISA-FREE list for your passport is just too small, then get a US visa. It will add about 53 countries to your VISA-FREE list. This is how you give more “power” to your “powerless” passport.

Table of Contents

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER Visa requirements change constantly but we make every effort to keep the information accurate and up to date. We provide links to official sources wherever necessary, so you can conduct your own due diligence to verify the visa requirements before planning your trip. We shall not be held liable for any damages incurred as a result of using the information in this article. Refer to our full disclaimer for more information.

Why do countries offer visa exemption to US visa holders?

Reason 1: strict screening.

US visa application has a very strict screening process. A US visa is also one of the most difficult visas to get. If you have a US visa, then you were screened pretty well already. Meaning, you do not have a criminal history or any illegal immigration intentions.

Reason 2: Strong ties to your home country

US visa application also makes sure you have strong ties to your home country. This is to avoid illegal immigration. If you were to stay illegally anywhere, you could have stayed illegally in the US itself. So, having a US visa reassures them that you have no intention of remaining in their country illegally.

Reason 3: Financial reasons

Developing countries do not have the infrastructure or the money to screen applicants. If you were already screened by a country like the USA, there is no need to screen you again. In order to have a screening process that is as foolproof as the US, costs a good chunk of money.

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Which US visas are eligible?

Depending on the country, any of the below US visas can be used.

• US Tourist/Business Visa (B1, B2, B1/B2)
• US Work Visa (H1, L1)
• US Study Visa (F1, J1)
• US Transit/Crew member Visa (C1, D, C1/D)

Refer to each country below for permitted US visa types. Some countries require the US visa to be multiple-entry and have been used at least once to travel to the US.

So, without further ado, let’s get started.

RELATED: 38 Countries you can travel VISA-FREE with US Green Card in 2023

North America

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Philippines
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Permitted US visas: Valid used/unused multiple-entry non-immigrant US visas – B1, B2, B1/B2, F, M, J, H and L only
• Entry granted: 180 days
• Visa is EXEMPT but must apply for Canada Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before arrival
• Applicable to air travel only
• Official source: IRCC, Canada – News Release May 01, 2017 and News Release June 06, 2023
• Eligible Nationalities: All nationalities
• Permitted US visas: All valid used/unused multiple-entry US visas
• Entry granted: Varies depending on the itinerary
• US visa must be valid for the entire stay in Mexico
• Passport must be valid for the entire stay in Mexico
• Official source: National Institute of Migration, Mexico

Personal experience: I have entered Mexico with a US visa many times by air, land and sea. I was rarely asked any questions. When I was asked any questions, it was mostly about how long I planned to stay in Mexico. I was always given a 180-day entry.

03. United States (of course!)

• Includes the US territories: US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam
• Excludes the US territories: American Samoa (American Samoa has its own immigration rules and does not honor US visas )

Personal experience: I have lived/worked in the US on an H1B visa for more than 8 years. I have also entered the US on my B1/B2 visa many times. I was always given a 6-month entry.

RELATED: 40 Countries you can travel VISA-FREE with UK visa in 2023

Central America

• Entry granted: 30 days
• Official source: Embassy of Belize in Washington DC, USA

Personal experience: I entered Belize from Mexico at the seaport with my India passport and US visa. The immigration procedure at the port took about 5 minutes. I was asked how long I’ll stay in Belize. I was given a 30-day entry.

05. Costa Rica

• Permitted US visas: Valid used/unused multiple-entry US visas – B1, B2, B1/B2, C1/D, D, F1, J1, H1 and L1 only
• B1, B2, B1/B2, C1/D and D visas must be valid for at least 30 days from the day of arrival
• F1, J1, H1 and L1 visas must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official Source: Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington DC, USA

Personal experience: I entered Costa Rica at San Jose International Airport with my India passport and US visa. The immigration procedure at the airport was quick. I was given a 30-day entry.

I have also entered Costa Rica from Nicaragua by land with my India passport and US visa. Immigration procedures at the land border took about 10 minutes due to long lines. I was asked to show my hotel reservation. I was given a 30-day entry.

06. El Salvador

• Burkina Faso
• Central African Republic
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Papua New Guinea
• Turkmenistan
• Entry granted: 90 days total in the entire CA-4 zone (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua)
• An entry fee of 10 USD will be charged if entering by air
• If you have already entered Guatemala or Honduras, you can enter El Salvador from Guatemala or Honduras by land without any additional visa requirements as per CA-4 Border Control Agreement
• Official source: IATA Travel Centre

Personal experience: I entered El Salvador from Guatemala by land with my India passport and US visa. There are no immigration checkpoints at El Salvador and Guatemala land borders. No entry stamp was issued.

07. Guatemala

• Côte d´Ivoire
• Dominican Republic
• US visa must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• If you have already entered Honduras or El Salvador, you can enter Guatemala from Honduras or El Salvador by land without any additional visa requirements as per the CA-4 Border Control Agreement.

Personal Experience: I entered Guatemala from Mexico by land with my Indian passport and US visa. It took about 10 minutes at immigration. They had to look up the visa requirements to verify if I was eligible to enter on my US visa. I was asked to pay 20 MXN as an entry fee even though there is no official entry fee.

I have also entered Guatemala from Honduras by land with my India passport and US visa. It only took a couple of minutes at immigration. No entry fee.

08. Honduras

• Cote d’Ivoire
• South Sudan
• If you have already entered Guatemala or El Salvador, you can enter Honduras from Guatemala or El Salvador by land without any additional visa requirements as per the CA-4 Border Control Agreement.

Personal experience: I entered Honduras from Guatemala by land using my India passport and US visa. I was asked where I was going and how long I’d stay in Honduras. I had to pay a 30 GTQ entry fee and give my fingerprints. The immigration process took about 5 minutes.

I have also entered Honduras from El Salvador by land using my India passport and US visa. I was asked where I was going and how long I’d stay in Honduras. I had to pay a 3 USD entry fee and give my fingerprints. The immigration process took about 15 minutes due to several people on a Tica bus.

09. Nicaragua

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Congo, Dem Rep of
• Congo, Rep of
• Sierra Leone
• Timor-Leste
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL (VOA)
• VOA fee is 50 USD, payable in cash in USD only, valid for 30 days, single-entry
• Besides the VOA fee, there is a 10 USD entry fee, a 2 USD land border migration fee (for land border only) and 1 USD municipality tax (for land border only) (payable in USD only)

Personal experience: I entered Nicaragua by land from Honduras using my India passport and US visa. I was asked about my profession and monthly income. I had to pay a total of 63 USD ($50 VOA fee, $10 entry fee, $2 land border migration fee, and $1 municipality tax) to enter. The immigration process was slow and it took about 45 minutes.

• Eligible nationalities: All nationalities
• Permitted US visas: All valid USED multiple-entry US visas
• US visa must have been used at least once to enter the US before
• Passport must be valid for at least 3 months from the day of arrival
• Must show proof of economic solvency for a minimum of 500 USD
• Official source: Embassy of Panama in the USA

Personal experience: I entered Panama at Panama City International Airport with my India passport and US visa. The immigration process took about 5 minutes. I was given a 90-day entry.

RELATED: 38 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with Canada visa in 2023

11. Anguilla (British Territory)

• Entry granted: 90 days
• Official source: Anguilla Tourist Board, entry requirements

12. Antigua and Barbuda

• VOA fee is 100 USD, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Department of Immigration, Antigua and Barbuda
• Official source: Netherlands Worldwide

14. Bahamas

• Eligible Nationalities: Indian passport holders only
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas

15. Bermuda (British Territory)

• US visa must be valid for a minimum of 45 days beyond the date of departure from Bermuda
• Passport must be valid for a minimum of 45 days beyond the date of departure from Bermuda
• Official source: Government of Bermuda

16. Bonaire (Dutch Territory)

17. british virgin islands (british territory).

• Official source: British Virgin Islands Tourism

18. Cayman Islands (British Territory)

• Entry rule: Must arrive directly from the US
• Official source: Cayman Islands Customs and Border Controls

19. Curaçao

20. dominican republic.

• Permitted US visas: All valid used/unused multiple-entry US visas, except transit (C1, C1/D)
• Entry rule: If arriving by land or sea, must pay a departure tax of 20 USD before departing. If arriving by air, the departure tax is included in the airfare.
• Official source: Ministry of Tourism of Dominican Republic
• Entry rule: A tourist fee of 10 USD must be paid on arrival at the airport

22. Jamaica

• Official source: Immigration Department of Jamaica

23. Sint Maarten

24. turks and caicos (british territory).

• Official source: Ministry of Border Control of Turks and Caicos

RELATED: 51 non-Schengen countries you can travel VISA-FREE with Schengen visa in 2023

South America

25. Argentina

• Ivory Coast
• Marshall Islands
• São Tomé And Príncipe
• Solomon Islands
• Permitted US visas: Valid used/unused multiple-entry US visas – B1, B2, B1/B2, J1 and H1B only
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Electronic Travel Authorization (AVE) online before arrival
• AVE fee is 200 USD, the processing time is up to 20 working days, valid for 3 months, multiple-entry
• US visa must be valid for at least 3 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Department of Immigration of Argentina
• Entry rule: US visa must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival

27. Colombia

• Entry rule: US visa must be valid for at least 180 days from the day of arrival
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia

Personal experience: I entered Colombia at Bogota International Airport with my India passport and US visa. The immigration procedure at the airport was quick. The number of days was not marked on my passport but I figured that it was a standard 90 days.

• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru

RELATED: How to turn your weak passport into a strong passport (with examples)

29. Albania

• Entry rule: US visa must have been used at least once to enter the US before
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania

30. Armenia

• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saudi Arabia
• Entry granted: 21 or 120 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but you are eligible to apply for Visa ON ARRIVAL
• VOA fee is 3,000 AMD, valid for 21 days, single-entry (OR) 15,000 AMD, valid for 120 days, single-entry
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia

31. Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Eligible Nationalities: All nationalities, except Kosovo
• Entry rule: US visa must be valid for at least 30 days from the day of arrival
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina

32. Georgia

• US visa must be valid on the day of arrival in Georgia
• Total duration of consecutive stays must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia

Personal experience: I entered Georgia at Kutaisi International Airport with my Indian passport and US visa. The immigration procedure at the airport took a while as Georgia immigration is difficult to deal with. I was given a 90-day entry.

I also entered Georgia via train from Armenia with my Indian passport and US visa. Again, immigration was a headache but I was given a 90-day entry.

33. Moldova (Newly Added)

• São Tomé and Príncipe
• South Africa
• Entry rule: US visa must be valid for the intended period of the stay
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova

34. Montenegro

• Official source: Government of Montenegro

35. North Macedonia

• Entry granted: 15 days
• US visa must be valid for at least 5 days beyond the intended period of stay
• Total duration of consecutive stays must not exceed 3 months in any 6-month period
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia
• US visa must be valid for the entire duration of the stay
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia
• Algeria (those aged 15-18 and 35-65)
• North Korea
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but you are eligible to apply for Turkey e-Visa online
• E-Visa fee is 43 USD, validity is 180 days, and single-entry only
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey

Personal experience: I entered Turkey at Istanbul International Airport with my Indian passport and US visa. I applied for my Turkey e-Visa before my travel to Turkey. The immigration procedure at the airport was quick. I was granted a 30-day entry.

If you hold a US visa and are eligible to apply for a Turkey e-Visa, follow this step-by-step guide to apply for Turkey e-Visa . This step-by-step guide has instructions and screenshots to help you fill out the application, pay the visa fee and download your approved e-Visa.

38. United Kingdom

• Entry granted: 24 hours only (Transit Without Visa)
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to request a 24-hour entry at London (LHR) or Manchester (MAN) airports
• Must be traveling to or from the US only
• Must arrive and depart by air only
• Must hold the boarding pass for the onward flight
• Onward flight must be within 24 hours (on the same day or the next day before midnight)
• Granting the 24-hour entry is at the sole discretion of the immigration officer

RELATED: How to book flight tickets with 24 hour FREE cancellation on Expedia – A step-by-step guide

Middle East

39. Bahrain

• Entry granted: 14 days or 30 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL or Bahrain eVisa
• Single-entry VOA fee is 5 BD, valid for 14 days, entry up to 14 days
• Multiple-entry VOA fee is 12 BD, valid for 3 months, entry up to 30 days
• Single-entry eVisa fee is 9 BD, valid for 14 days, entry up to 14 days
• Multiple-entry eVisa fee is 16 BD, valid for 1 month, entry up to 14 days
• For VOA, the US visa must be valid for the entire stay in Bahrain
• For eVisa, the US visa must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Bahrain eVisa Portal

40. Jordan (Newly Added)

• Congo, Dem. Rep. Of
• Guinea Bissau
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Jordan eVisa
• Official source: Jordan E-Visa
• El Salvador
• Entry granted: 10 or 30 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Oman 26M or 26N Tourist Visa online
• 26M eVisa fee is 20 OMR, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• 26N eVisa fee is 5 OMR, valid for 10 days, single-entry only
• Official source: Sultanate of Oman, Royal Oman Police
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but you are eligible to apply for an A3 Visa online on the Hayya Portal
• A3 eVisa fee is QAR 100, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• Must provide hotel booking for the entire stay reserved through the Discover Qatar website
• US visa must be valid on the day of A3 eVisa application
• Official source: Qatar Tourist Board

43. Saudi Arabia

• Permitted US visas: Valid USED multiple-entry US visas – B1, B2, B1/B2 only
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL or Saudi Arabia eVisa
• VOA or eVisa fee is 300 SAR, valid for 1 year, multiple-entry (plus service fee and insurance fee)
• Official source: Saudi Arabia Tourism Authority

44. United Arab Emirates

• Entry granted: 14 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL at UAE airports
• VOA fee is 100 AED, valid for 14 days, single-entry only
• Official source: UAE Government Portal

Personal experience: I entered the UAE at Sharjah International Airport with my Indian passport and US visa. The VOA and the immigration procedures at Sharjah airport were quick. I was given a 14-day entry.

RELATED: 5 ways to get proof of onward travel for your next trip

• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL at all international airports
• VOA fee is $25 USD, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• US visa must have been used to enter the US at least once
• Official source: Egypt Tourism Department

46. Morocco

• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Morocco e-Visa
• E-Visa fee is 770 MAD, valid for 180 days, single-entry only
• US visa must be valid for at least 90 days from the day of arrival
• Official source: Morocco E-Visa Portal

• Permitted US visas: Valid multiple-entry US RESIDENT visas such as H, L, F, J, etc.
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to apply for Japan eVisa
• eVisa fee is JPY 3,000, valid for 90 days, single-entry only
• Must submit proof of residence to prove that you reside in the US
• Must show the visa issuance confirmation via the eVisa website on your phone at the immigration (Prints and PDFs are not accepted)
• Must enter Japan by flight only
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

48. Kyrgyzstan (Newly Added)

• Entry granted: 7 days
• US visa must be a long-term visa issued for 3 or more years (US visas issued for less than 3 years are not accepted)
• After entering Kyrgyzstan this way, you can only reenter Kyrgyzstan again after 21 days.
• IMPORTANT: This information is not available in IATA/TIMATIC yet, your flight may denied your boarding
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan

49. Malaysia (Currently Suspended)

• Entry granted: 120 hours (5 days)
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to obtain Transit Without Visa (TWOA) at the VOA counter
• TWOA is free of charge, valid for 120 hours (5 days), single-entry only
• TWOA is available at Kuala Lumpur Airport (KLIA1 and KLIA2 terminals) only
• Must be in transit to reach the US as the destination. Must hold a confirmed onward eTicket or original boarding pass to the US within 120 hours. (Exception for longer-term pass holders such as work visa, student visa, permanent resident, etc. who can depart to any third country)
• Issuing of TWOA is at the discretion of the immigration offices at Kuala Lumpur Airport
• Official source: High Commission of Malaysia in New Delhi, India

50. Philippines

• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of departure
• Official source: Embassy of the Philippines in India

Personal experience: I have entered the Philippines 4 times so far at Manila International Airport with my Indian passport and US visa. The immigration procedure at the airport was always quick. I was always given a 14-day entry.

51. Singapore

• Entry granted: 96 hours (4 days)
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to obtain Visa Free Transit Facility (VFTF) upon arrival
• Must be traveling to or from the country of passport. Example: Must be traveling to a third country from India via Singapore or traveling to India from a third country via Singapore. An example itinerary would be India-Singapore-Bali or Bali-Singapore-India.
• Both arriving and departing flights in Singapore must be on the same itinerary
• Official source: Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

52. South Korea

• Eligible nationalities: All nationalities (except these 23 countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameron, Cuba, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan and Yemen)
• Entry rule: Must be traveling to/from the US through South Korea
• Official source: South Korea Embassy in Washington DC, USA

Personal experience: I entered South Korea at Seoul International Airport with my Indian passport and US visa. The immigration procedure at the airport took a bit longer as the officer had to verify visa requirements. The officer verified my onward ticket to the US which was in 21 days. I was given a 30-day entry.

• Permitted US visas: All valid/expired used/unused multiple-entry US visas, except transit (C1, C1/D)
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to apply for ROC Travel Authorization Certificate online
• ROC Travel Authorization Certificate is free of charge, valid for 90 days, multiple-entry
• If using an EXPIRED US visa, the visa must have expired in the last 10 years only
• Official source: Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan)

Personal experience: I entered Taiwan at Taipei International Airport with my Indian passport and US visa. I registered for my ROC travel authorization certificate a few days before my travel to Taiwan. I was given a 30-day entry (entry was 30 days when I traveled but currently it’s only 14 days).

There you have it! List of 53 countries and territories you can travel visa-free with US visa. If you don’t have a US visa, it’s time to apply for one and add another 53 to your list of VISA-FREE countries.

Do you know any other country (I haven’t listed here) that offers visa exemption for US visa holders? Let me know in the comments below.

Change history: For those who are interested, here are the changes to this list.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

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01. Apply for your visa

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02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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• Fact Sheets

Fact Sheet: Presidential Proclamation to Suspend and Limit Entry and Joint DHS-DOJ Interim Final Rule to Restrict Asylum During High Encounters at the Southern Border

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration took decisive new action to strengthen border security, announcing a series of measures that restrict asylum eligibility, and significantly increase the consequences for those who enter without authorization across the southern border. These extraordinary steps, which will be in effect during times when high levels of encounters exceed our ability to deliver timely consequences, will make noncitizens who enter across the southern border ineligible for asylum with certain exceptions, raise the standard that is used to screen for certain protection claims, and speed up our ability to quickly remove those who do not qualify for protection.

These actions follow a series of steps that the Administration has taken over the past three years as it prepared for the end of the Title 42 public health Order, and since it was lifted last year, including surging personnel, infrastructure, and technology to the border, issuing the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Rule, and referring record numbers of noncitizens into expedited removal. Over the past year, we have removed or returned more than three quarters of a million people, more than in any fiscal year since 2010. Despite these efforts, our outdated and broken immigration and asylum system, coupled with a lack of sufficient funding, make it impossible to quickly impose consequences on all noncitizens who cross irregularly and without a legal basis to remain in the United States.

The Administration has repeatedly called on Congress to provide the resources and legal authorities needed to secure our border. The measures announced today will better enable the Department to quickly remove individuals without a legal basis to remain in the United States, strengthening enforcement and change the calculus for those considering crossing our border irregularly. However, they are no substitute for Congressional action. We continue to call on Congress to provide the new tools and resources we have asked for to support the men and women on the frontlines.

President Biden issued a Presidential Proclamation to temporarily suspend the entry of noncitizens across the southern border. The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General also jointly issued an interim final rule that, consistent with the Proclamation, generally restricts asylum eligibility for those who irregularly enter across the southern border – including the Southwest land and the southern coastal borders. The rule also limits fear screenings to those who manifest a fear or express a desire to file for protection and heightens the screening standard for statutory withholding and claims under the Convention Against Torture. Taken together, these measures will significantly increase the speed and scope of consequences for those who cross our borders irregularly or who attempt to present themselves at Ports of Entry without authorization, allowing the Departments to more quickly remove individuals who do not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States. The restriction on asylum eligibility will be discontinued when encounters fall below certain levels but will come back into effect if encounters rise again.

The rule makes three key changes to current processing under Title 8 immigration authorities during periods of high border encounters:

• First, noncitizens who cross the southern border unlawfully or without authorization will generally be ineligible for asylum, absent exceptionally compelling circumstances and unless they are excepted by the Proclamation.
• Second, noncitizens who cross the southern border and are processed for expedited removal while the limitation is in effect will only be referred for a credible fear screening with an Asylum Officer if they manifest or express a fear of return to their country or country of removal, a fear of persecution or torture, or an intention to apply for asylum.  
• Third, the U.S. will continue to adhere to its international obligations and commitments by screening individuals who manifest a fear as noted above and do not qualify for an exception to the Rule for withholding of removal and Convention Against Torture protections at a reasonable probability of persecution or torture standard – a new, substantially higher standard than is currently applied under the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways rule.  

Like the Proclamation, the rule provides for an end to these enhanced measures following a sustained reduction in southern border encounters. Specifically, these measures are in effect until 14 calendar days after there has been a 7-consecutive-calendar-day average of less than 1,500 encounters between the ports of entry. The measures would again go into effect, or continue, as appropriate, when there has been a 7-consecutive-calendar-day average of 2,500 encounters or more.

During periods of high encounters, the Proclamation will apply across the southern border. Lawful permanent residents, unaccompanied children, victims of a severe form of trafficking, and other noncitizens with a valid visa or other lawful permission to enter the United States are excepted from the Proclamation.

In addition, the suspension and limitation on entry and rule will not apply to noncitizens who use a Secretary-approved process—such as the CBP One mobile app—to enter the United States at a port of entry in a safe and orderly manner or pursue another lawful pathway.

Noncitizens who cross the southern border and who are not excepted from the Proclamation will be ineligible for asylum unless exceptionally compelling circumstances exist, including if the noncitizen demonstrates that they or a member of their family with whom they are traveling:

• faced an acute medical emergency;
• faced an imminent and extreme threat to life or safety, such as an imminent threat of rape, kidnapping, torture, or murder; or
• satisfied the definition of “victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons” currently provided in 8 CFR 214.11.

Consequences

Noncitizens who are subject to the rule’s limitation on asylum eligibility and who manifest or express a fear of return to their country or country of removal, express a fear of persecution or torture or an intention to apply for asylum, but do not establish a reasonable probability of persecution or torture in the country of removal will be promptly removed.

Those ordered removed will be subject to at least a five-year bar to reentry and potential criminal prosecution.

The Proclamation and rule will significantly enhance the security of our border by increasing the Departments’ ability to impose swift consequences for individuals who cross the southern border irregularly and do not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States.  Together, the Proclamation and rule make critical changes to how the Departments operate during times when encounters are at historically high levels—levels that, in the absence of these changes, undermine the government’s ability to process individuals through the expedited removal process. These changes will enable the Departments to quickly return those without a lawful basis to stay in the United States and thereby free up the asylum system for those with legitimate claims.

These extraordinary measures are a stop gap. Even with these measures in place, the Departments continue to lack the authorities and resources needed to adequately support the men and women on the frontlines. The Administration again calls on Congress to take up and pass the bipartisan reforms proposed in the Senate, which provide the new authorities, personnel, and resources that are needed to address the historic global migration that is impacting countries throughout the world, including our own. Until Congress does its part, we will continue to take any actions needed under current law and within existing resources to secure the border.

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Travel Within the U.S.

In the United States, you need a valid U.S. government-issued photo ID or a passport from your country of origin to travel through security. You must show that the name on your boarding pass matches the legal name on your unexpired government-issued ID.

Visa policy

What is eu visa policy.

Under this key policy, all 27 countries in the Schengen area apply the same visa rules.

Non-EU nationals need a visa to enter the Schengen area for a visit of up to 90 days in any 180-day period .

When someone enters a country in the Schengen area, the 180-day period starts. They can enter Schengen area countries as many times as they want, but only stay for a total of 90 days, every 180 days. 

A Schengen visa is generally valid for every country in the Schengen area.

Visas for stays exceeding 90 days are subject to national procedures .

EU visa policy is monitored and implemented by the European Commission .

What are the main elements of EU visa policy?

Countries whose nationals require a visa.

For a list of these countries, see Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 .

Individual Schengen countries can grant visa-free access to certain categories of people - for example diplomatic staff, armed forces, refugees and school pupils on an excursion.

Countries whose nationals require a visa for airport transfers

Nationals of certain countries must have a visa - called an airport transit visa - even to simply transit through the international (non-Schengen) part of an EU airport.

Schengen countries can also impose individual airport transit requirements on certain other countries. 

Countries whose nationals don't require a visa

For a list of these countries, see Annex II of the Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 .

27 of these countries have visa waiver agreements with the EU.

The decision of whether to grant visa-free status to a non-EU country is based on a variety of criteria (migration, security, considerations of human rights, reciprocity, and economic benefit - in particular in terms of tourism and foreign trade).

New travel document from 2025

From 2025, visa-exempt travellers will need to fill out an online ETIAS form and pay a small fee before being able to travel to the Schengen Area. 

This form is designed to facilitate border control and security.

It is not a visa, but is comparable to similar systems in the USA (ESTA), Canada (eTA), and Australia (eVisitor).

The EU visa code sets out the procedures and conditions for issuing short-stay visas .

Operational instructions for applying the code are set out in: 

• Handbook for processing visa applications  
• Handbook for managing visa processing

The visa code also helps improve cooperation with non-EU countries on readmissions of irregular migrants , through the 'visa leverage mechanism'. Under this mechanism, if a country does not cooperate sufficiently on readmissions, restrictive measures can be imposed as regards processing visas and visa fees. 

Such measures have been adopted for nationals of The Gambia:

• Decision suspending visa-free access for Gambian nationals
• Decision on increased visa fees for Gambian nationals

Visa facilitation agreements with non-EU countries

The EU has visa facilitation agreements in place with certain non-EU countries. Under the simplified visa regime , non-EU citizens enjoy facilitated procedures (such as lower visa fees) to obtain a visa for the Schengen area.

However, visa facilitation agreements can be suspended if a country no longer satisfies the conditions of the agreement. What then applies are the general rules of the EU visa code.

Suspensions can be triggered by an EU country or by the European Commission. Currently, 2 agreements are suspended, those with:

• Russia (full suspension of facilitation agreement) 
• Belarus (partial suspension of facilitation agreement).

Visa facilitation agreements are linked to readmission agreements . Readmission agreements establish procedures for returning irregular migrants to the EU or non-EU country they came from (EU, non-EU nationals or stateless persons).

EU countries may also individually negotiate agreements on local border traffic with neighbouring non-EU countries. These agreements enable border residents of specific areas to cross the EU's external borders, under certain conditions, without having to obtain a visa.

Suspension of visa-free travel

The visa suspension mechanism ( Regulation No 1806/2018 , article 7) enables Schengen countries to call for a temporary suspension of a visa exemption in the event of a sudden and substantial surge in irregular migration . 

If this happens, a country can notify the Commission, which can then decide to trigger the suspension mechanism.

Currently the visa waiver agreement with Vanuatu has been suspended under the suspension mechanism.

Since 2017, the Commission has been issuing annual reports on its usage of the mechanism. 

Proposed changes to the suspension mechanism .

Visa reciprocity

This is when nationals of Schengen area countries do not need a visa to visit countries whose nationals also do not need a visa to visit the Schengen area. 

The EU aims at achieving full visa reciprocity with non-EU countries whose nationals are exempt from the visa requirement. For that purpose, a visa reciprocity mechanism is set out in Regulation No 1806/2018 ( article 7 ). 

To date, the EU has achieved visa reciprocity with all visa-free third countries, except the United States . 

Citizens of Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania still need a visa to visit the United States.

Visa digitalisation

The Pact on Migration and Asylum set the objective of making the visa procedure fully digitalised by 2025. 

This involves:

• replacing the visa sticker with the option to apply through a European online visa platform
• simplifying the visa application process
• reducing the costs for governments and applicants.

The requirements are set out in Regulation 2023/2685 and Regulation 2023/2667 .

After a transition period of 7 years, Schengen countries will all have to use the EU's standard online platform for visa applications :

• applicants will carry out all steps in the process on the platform, except for providing biometrics (when required)
• a digital visa will replace the visa sticker.

Which countries' nationals need a visa to enter the Schengen area?

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Security Alert May 17, 2024

Worldwide caution, update may 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

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Department of State/AILA Liaison Committee Meeting March 20, 2024

The Secretary of State, following consultations with the Department of Homeland Security, has determined that the following categories of interview waivers are in the national interest.  Changes based on that determination are implemented by consular officers, who now have the authority and discretion to waive the in-person interview for:

• First time H-2 visa applicants (temporary agricultural and non-agricultural workers); and
• Were previously issued a nonimmigrant visa in any classification, unless the only prior issued visa was a B visa; and
• Are applying within 48 months of their most recent nonimmigrant visa’s expiration date.

In all cases, applicants must meet certain legal requirements to qualify for an interview waiver.  Implementation of this authority begins January 1, 2024, and will be reviewed annually.  This authority is in place until further notice.

As a reminder, applicants renewing a nonimmigrant visa in the same classification within 48 months of the prior visa’s expiration date continue to be eligible for interview waiver until further notice. 

To be eligible for an interview waiver, applicants must also meet certain criteria, including that they:

• apply in their country of nationality or residence.
• have never been refused a visa (unless such refusal was overcome or waived).
• have no apparent or potential ineligibility.

Consular officers may still require in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis or because of local conditions.  We encourage applicants to check embassy and consulate websites for more detailed information about visa application requirements and procedures, and to learn more about the embassy’s operating status and services. 

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How to check the status of your visa application

Find out how to check the status of your visa application online. And to avoid delays, learn how to update your address if you move while waiting for your visa to be approved.

Check the status of your immigrant or nonimmigrant visa application online using the U.S. Department of State's Visa Status Check portal. You will need to enter your case number when you use the portal.

If you move after submitting a visa application, notify the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as soon as possible. Learn more about updating your address through your USCIS account and using the Enterprise Change of Address (E-COA) self-service tool.

LAST UPDATED: January 4, 2024

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