Where can I travel with a US passport?

Last Updated: January 01, 2025

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Ever wondered how far your US passport can take you? With visa-free access to over 140 countries, your next volunteering destination could be just a flight away.  Stay with us as we explain the destinations and experiences that you can explore with your US passport.

As of 2025, US passport holders currently enjoy visa-free access to 189 destinations. Well, isn’t that so convenient? Not only that, The US passport is considered one of the strongest passports in the world due to its extensive visa-free access to other countries for their citizens. More reasons to acquire a US passport. Now, to make full use of your US passport you can start by traveling to the nearest destinations VISA FREE.

Where can I travel with a US passport?

You might have the question, where can I travel with US passport, well, the answer to this question can change periodically based on various factors, such as updated visa agreements between countries, temporary travel restrictions, and newly imposed entry requirements. As mentioned above, currently US passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 189 destinations worldwide. However, it would be important to note that these countries allow visa-free entry for travel and tourism purposes only for a certain period of time. Your duration of stay and purpose for travel are subject to the respective nation’s visa regulations. In cases where you wish to work, study or start a business in that country, you must acquire a relevant visa from the country's consulate or embassy. As of May 2025, US passport holders can travel to the following countries without a visa. I have listed them according to regions.

Africa

Angola, Botswana, Central African Republic, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mayotte, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Reunion, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Africa, Zambia

Asia

Armenia, Brunei, Cyprus, Georgia, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Palestinian Territories, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates

Europe

Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City

North America

Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Greenland, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, US Virgin Islands

Central America & Caribbean

Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Aruba, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, British Virgin Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Falkland Islands, French West Indies, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Helena, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Oceania

American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna

South America

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay

Side note: The above list doesn’t include countries with visa-on-arrival and eTA (electronic travel authorization) visas.

What is Visa On Arrival and What countries provide Visa on Arrival for US passport holders?

As the name suggests, a Visa on Arrival is a type of visa that you obtain upon arrival at the airport or border crossing point at the destination country. It is a very quick and simple process.  According to the agreements among the countries, citizens traveling abroad can apply for a visa at the borders of that country for tourist purposes, however, their stay will be limited to a certain period of time only. It is also best to remember that the entry fee, visa fee, allowed duration of stay, and requirements may vary depending on your destination country’s visa regulations. In simple terms, a Visa on arrival means obtaining a visa upon arrival at the destination country. Also in this case, travelers do not need to apply for a travel visa beforehand.

The following countries provide Visa on arrival for US citizens:

Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritania, Nepal, Niue, Oman, Qatar, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Zimbabwe.

What Is an Electronic visa and what countries provide Electronic visas to US citizens?

An Electronic Visa is the simplest and quickest way to obtain a visa. It requires you to apply for your visa online in advance of travel. Electronic visa saves travelers from long-term and tiring bureaucratic procedures. It is a very easy and faster alternative for the visa-on-arrival process. An approved electronic visa is linked to your passport electronically, sent via email, or available on the online e-visa portal to download. It is a rather modern and technological move towards a paperless approach that a traveler can apply within their own homes.

The following countries provide electronic visas for US citizens

Azerbaijan, Benin, Bhutan, Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, India, Myanmar, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, South Sudan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.

What is an eTA or electronic authorization visa and what countries offer it to US citizens?

An eTA or electronic authorization is quite similar to an electronic Visa. eTA is a computer-stored authorization equivalent to a visa which is linked to a passport number. It is important to note that an eTA is not a visa, but rather a pre-screening process that allows travelers to apply online prior to their trip. It simplifies the visa-issuance process as no label, sticker, or stamp is placed in the passport before travel. The application is fully processed over the Internet. It allows the destination or transit country to screen travellers’ before they arrive, increasing visibility and security.

The following countries provide an eTA or Electronic authorization visa for US citizens

Australia, Kenya, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Pakistan,  Sri Lanka.

What countries require a regular visa?

Applying for a visa traditionally can sometimes be very tiresome but it is also important to note that the visa application process varies depending on the destination country, purpose of visit, and the applicant’s nationality. As for US citizens, they have a huge benefit on this criteria. There are only a few countries which require a regular visa . The following are the countries that require a regular visa for US citizens to enter.

Africa

Algeria, Chad, Congo, Eritrea, Ghana, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Niger, Somalia, Sudan

Asia

Afghanistan, China, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Turkmenistan, Yemen

Europe

Belarus, Russia

North America

Cuba, Venezuela

Oceania

Nauru

Restricted Travel?

According to the research, certain countries have banned US citizens from visiting their country. The reasons however can be ongoing disputes, unlawful arrest of a US citizen, or any sort of danger for a US citizen in a foreign country. Also, a US citizen can visit such a country. If you want to visit it, You have to go through a strict process to obtain a visa for the restricted countries. Those restricted countries include; Cuba, North Korea and Syria.

Whether you're looking to explore visa-free destinations, navigate the visa-on-arrival process, or apply for e-visas, the options are abundant and exciting. In this article, we have highlighted the visa processes to some of the most captivating destinations around the globe. From the lush landscapes of Costa Rica to the bustling markets of Thailand and the ancient wonders of Egypt, your US passport is your gateway to unforgettable experiences. Moreover, by combining travel with volunteering, you can make your journeys even more meaningful, contributing positively to the communities you visit while enriching your own life.