Nine Countries You’ll Need a Tourist Visa to Visit in 2024
If you’re planning an international trip in 2024, you’ll need a valid passport – and luckily, processing times are much faster now (6-8 weeks) than in recent months. But depending on where you’re going, you may also need to set aside time and money for a tourist visa, as many countries require U.S. passport holders to apply in advance.
Note that if you’re heading to Europe, you don’t need to consider tourist visas yet. The European Union last year announced that Americans will need to obtain a “travel authorization” through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) before arriving, possibly as early as early 2024. Although technically not a visa, the process requires filling out an application, paying a fee and waiting up to four days for approval. However, the launch of ETIAS has been pushed back to mid-2025 .
Don’t think that you can just get on a plane and fly away. To be safe, always check the U.S. Department of State page specific to the country or countries you plan to visit to learn more about entry requirements, including visas, as well as travel safety recommendations. Please note that many visa applications require documentation such as vaccine certificates, bank statements and confirmed airline tickets.
These countries will require tourist visas in 2024
Here are some of the countries that require US passport holders to obtain a tourist visa in advance for entry:
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Australia: Apply before travel through the Electronic Travel Authorization app . The visas are valid for up to three months within a 12-month period. The fee is $13 and may take up to 21 days to process.
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Bolivia: Apply in advance in person at the Bolivian consulate (tourist visas are available upon arrival at any land or air border). Visas are valid for a stay of 30 days and up to 90 days per year. The cost of a visitor visa is US$160 . Processing of consular applications takes up to 10 days.
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Brazil: Starting April 10, Brazil will require a visa to enter. You can apply online in advance . The fee is $80 and processing time is up to five days. Visas are valid for up to 90 days.
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China: Complete the China Visa Application (COVA) online form . You will also need to go to the Chinese embassy or consulate in person. The visitor visa fee is US$140 and processing takes four business days. Visas are valid for 30 days within a 90-day period.
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Egypt: Apply online for an e-visa, which is valid for one entry and a 30-day stay. The fee is $25 and may take up to seven days to process. You can also obtain a visa on arrival at the airport.
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India: Apply online for an e-visa at least four days before your trip if your stay is less than 60 days. If you plan to stay longer, you will need to apply in person at the Indian Embassy or Consulate. Fees vary (up to $25) and processing may take up to 72 hours.
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Kenya: Apply for an e-visa in advance and allow three days for processing. Visas are valid for three months from the date of issue. The fee is $34.
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New Zealand : Apply for a travel permit (technically not a visa) online in advance through the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority. It is valid for three months within two years from the date of issue. The fee is around $10 and processing takes up to 72 hours.
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Vietnam: Apply for your e-Visa in advance online . The fee is US$25 for a single-entry visa and US$50 for a multiple-entry visa, and processing takes up to three days. Electronic visas are valid for 30 days.
Many other countries require travelers to obtain a visa but allow an application upon arrival (and in some cases a pre-arrival e-visa). For example, a $30 Cambodian tourist visa can be obtained at any border crossing, or you can apply for an e-visa at least three business days before arrival—with an additional processing fee. Indonesia also offers both options.