The Country Friendly List

Updated: Apr 12th, 2012



This is the home of the Country Friendly Quick List for Americans traveling abroad.  For tourists of all nationalities, there is a link to the official tourism website (or selected alternative if no official site is available) for most countries and the USA.  In addition to recognized countries, the list also includes US Territories, Antarctica (entrance controlled by International Treaty), and so called unrecognized countries with established border controls over their territory.

While the definition of a travel friendly country is broad & subjective, this list uses only one criteria to be a travel friendly country.  If the government of the country imposes no visa formalities beyond obtaining a visa on arrival or an advance electronic visa / travel authority, it's considered travel friendly and will appear in this list.


Countries that do not require visas or provide visas on arrival will be listed in green.  If a country requires an advance electronic visa or travel authority, it will be listed in orange with a click enabled E-Visa link to the appropriate application webpage.  Private companies that offer express visa services (e.g. Brazil & Vietnam) do not count as an e-visa country and countries that require any kind of paper submission in addition to the electronic application will not be designated as travel friendly.  If a country offers both visa's on arrival or e-visas, the country will still be listed in green.  


If a country does not meet the travel friendly definition, you must obtain a visa in advance from the appropriate Embassy of that country;  see the red color list at the bottom of the page along with a indexed link of Embassies in the United States. 


Please note that this information is only valid for American citizen tourists using standard passports (not official or diplomatic passport holders) and the purpose of your visit must specifically be for tourism, not business, employment, or other purposes.  Also, note the length of stay limitations and if you intend to stay longer, you may have to obtain a visa or other form of approval prior to travel. 


While every attempt is made to keep the list current and accurate as possible, the author is not responsible for errors or omissions.  Corrections and suggestions are most welcome; just click: Tweet Me

Countryfriendly.com is a non-commercial, not for profit information site.  This web site does NOT collect visitor data or install tracking cookies, and you can verify this with a free privacy add-on such as Do Not Track Plus.  Please note this privacy statement does not cover any sites that are linked here such as tourist information websites. 


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When traveling to countries that issue a visa on arrival, there is the potential for long delays during immigration processing in order to process the visa.  Countries that impose extraordinary administrative requirements outside of standard requirements such as having a valid passport, photos for the visa, and onward/return tickets will not be listed as friendly.  For example, some countries may issue a visa on arrival if you have an official letter of invitation, but that is considered an extraordinary exception. 

Some countries listed may accept less than a US passport (e.g. birth certificate, drivers license) or an expired passport, however all U.S. citizens are now required to present a passport book, passport card, or Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative compliant document when returning to the United States; see http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_2223.html

For most countries, a link to the official tourism website will be listed.  If the country has no official tourism site or it's not reliable, an alternative WikiTravel link will be provided - feel free to send me suggestions & corrections. 

Albania: No visa required but 10 Euro entry tax fee. Maximum stay of 30 days.  Wikitravel

Andorra: Enter via Spain or France. Maximum stay of 90 days.  Wikitravel

Anguilla: Maximum stay of 3 months. www.anguilla-guide.info

Antigua and Barbuda: Maximum stay of 1 month.  www.antigua-barbuda.org

Argentina:  No visa required but $131 reciprocity fee is required once every 10 years.  Maximum stay of 3 month. Wikitravel

Antarctica:  No Maximum stay noted.  www.iaato.org 

Armenia: Visa on arrival but only if arriving at Zvartnots Airport in Yerevan. Fee is 50 USD for a maximum stay of 120 days  E-Visa available and recommended.   www.armeniainfo.am

Aruba: Maximum stay of 3 months. www.aruba.com

Australia:  E-Visa Required with $20.00 fee.  www.australia.com

Austria: Maximum stay of 3 months. www.austria.info

Azerbaijan: Visa on arrival with 131 USD fee and passport photos with visa form application. Maximum stay of 30 days and only for cities listed in visa.  azerbaijan.tourism.az  

Bahamas: Maximum stay of 1 month.
www.bahamas.com

Bahrain: Visa on arrival with 13.50 USD (approx) fee. Maximum stay of 14 days.  E-Visa available.  www.bahraintourism.com

Bangladesh: Visa on arrival but only if arriving at Shahjalal International Airport in Dkaha.  Fee is $150 and maximum stay of 30 days.  Wikitravel

Barbados: Maximum stay of 6 months.
www.barbados.org

Belgium: Maximum stay of 3 months. www.visitbelgium.com

Belize: Maximum stay of 1 month. www.travelbelize.org

Bermuda: Maximum stay of 6 months. www.bermudatourism.com

Bolivia:  Visa on arrival - fee 135 USD with passport photo.  Maximum stay of 30 days.  WikiTravel

Bosnia Herzegovina: Maximum stay of 90 days. www.bhtourism.ba

Botswana: Maximum stay of 90 days. www.botswana-tourism.gov.bw

Brunei: Maximum stay of 90 days. Wikitravel

Bulgaria: Maximum stay of 90 days. www.visitbulgaria.com

Cambodia: If arriving at international airports, visa on arrival with 20 USD fee and passport photo.  E-Visa available and recommended.   Maximum stay of 1 month.  www.tourismcambodia.com

Canada: Maximum stay of 6 months.
www.canada.travel

Cayman Islands: Maximum stay of 30 days. www.caymanislands.ky

Chile: Maximum stay of 90 days.  The government of Chile charges a so called $131.00 reciprocity fee to American tourists on arrival and it must be paid in cash.  This is a one time fee that covers all visits until the expiration of the travelers passport.  When the passport is replaced due to expiration, the fee must be paid again on the new passport.  www.visit-chile.org

Camoro Islands: Visa on arrival at Immigration Office downtown - fee varies depending on length of stay.  WikiTravel

Colombia: Maximum stay of 90 days.  www.colombia.travel

Costa Rica: Maximum stay of 90 days.
www.visitcostarica.com

Cook Islands: Maximum stay of 31 days.  WikiTravel


Croatia: Maximum stay of 90 days. www.croatia.hr

Cuba:  Visa not required however tourist card must be purchased at airline or travel agency for 25 USD prior to travel.  Please note that the US government has in the most unfriendly manner, restricted most forms of tourist travel to Cuba by American citizens.  While tourist travel to Cuba is possible via other countries such as Canada, such travel may result in prosecution or fines by the US government.  www.gocuba.ca  

Cyprus: Maximum stay of 90 days. WikiTravel

Czech Republic: Maximum stay of 90 days www.czechtourism.com

Denmark (including Faroe Islands & Greenland:): Maximum stay of 90 days www.visitdenmark.com

Djibouti: Visa on arrival - fee varies depending on length of stay. Maximum stay of 1 month.  WikiTravel

Dominica: Maximum stay of 6 months.
www.dominica.dm

Dominican Republic: No visa but tourist card issued for 10 USD fee. Maximum stay of 30 days.  www.dominicanrepublic.com

Ecuador: Maximum stay of 90 days.
Wikitravel


Egypt:  Visa on arrival - fee 15 USD.  Maximum stay of 30 days.  www.egypt.travel

El Salvador: Maximum stay of 3 months.
www.elsalvadorturismo.gob.sv

Equatorial Guinea: No Maximum stay indicated.  http://tinyurl.com/2khsvq

Estonia: Maximum stay of 90 days.
www.visitestonia.com

Ethiopia: Visa on arrival and 2 passport photos required - fee varies. Maximum stay of 3 months.  WikiTravel

Fiji: Maximum stay of 4 months.
www.bulafiji.com

Finland: Maximum stay of 3 months. www.visitfinland.com

France (Including Monaco): Maximum stay of 3 months. us.franceguide.com

French Guiana: Maximum stay of 3 months.
http://tinyurl.com/28ggg4 

French Polynesia: Maximum stay of 1 month.  WikiTravel


French West Indies: Maximum stay of 3 months.
www.st-barths.com

Georgia: Maximum stay of 90 days.  WikiTravel

Germany: Maximum stay of 90 days. www.cometogermany.com

Gibraltar: Maximum stay of 90 days. http://www.gibraltar.gov.uk/holiday.php

Greece: Maximum stay of 3 months. www.gnto.gr

Grenada: Maximum stay of 3 months. www.grenadagrenadines.com

Guam: US Territory.  www.visitguam.org

Guatemala: Maximum stay of 90 days.  WikiTravel


Guyana: Maximum stay of 3 months. www.guyana-tourism.com

Haiti: Maximum stay of 3 months.  www.haititourisme.com

Honduras: Maximum stay of 3 months. www.honduras.com

Hong Kong: Maximum stay of 3 months. www.discoverhongkong.com

Hungary: Maximum stay of 3 months. www.hungarytourism.hu

Iceland: Maximum stay of 3 months. www.icelandtouristboard.com

Indonesia: Visa on arrival - fee varies depending on length of stay. Maximum stay of 30 days.  www.my-indonesia.info

Ireland: Maximum stay of 3 months. Discover Ireland


Israel (Including Palestinian Territories): Maximum stay of 3 months. www.goisrael.com

Italy (Including San Marino): Maximum stay of 3 months. www.italiantourism.com

Jamaica: Maximum stay of 6 months. www.visitjamaica.com

Japan: Maximum stay of 90 days. www.jnto.go.jp

Jordan: Visa on arrival for fee of 10 Jordanian Dollars (free if part of licensed tour group.) Maximum stay of 3 months.  www.visitjordan.com

Kenya:  Visa on arrival - 25 USD fee.  Maximum stay of 3 months. www.magicalkenya.com

Korea (South): Maximum stay of 1 month.  www.visitkorea.or.kr

Kuwait: Visa on arrival for fee of 5 Kuwait Dollars. Maximum stay of 3 months.  WikiTravel

Kyrgyzstan: Visa on arrival for fee of 35 USD. Maximum stay of 1 month.   wikitravel.org/en/Kyrgyzstan

Laos: Visa on arrival for 35 USD with passport photo.  Maximum stay of 30 days.  Wikitravel

Latvia: Maximum stay of 3 months. www.latviatourism.lv

Lebanon: Visa on arrival for free if staying 1 month or less.  www.destinationlebanon.gov.lb

Lesotho: Maximum stay of 14 days.  WikiTravel

Liechtenstein: Same as Switzerland. Maximum stay of 90 days. www.tourismus.li

Lithuania: Maximum stay of 90 days. www.travel.lt

Luxembourg: Maximum stay of 3 months. www.ont.lu

Macao: Maximum stay of 30 days.
www.macautourism.gov.mo

Macedonia (FYROM): Maximum stay of 3 months. www.exploringmacedonia.com


Malawi: Maximum stay of 90 days. www.malawitourism.com

Malaysia: Maximum stay of 3 months. www.tourism.gov.my

Maldives: Visa on arrival for fee of MVR 750 (Local Currency) for maximum stay of 30 days. www.visitmaldives.com

Malta: Maximum stay of 3 months.
www.visitmalta.com

Marshall Islands: No visa required. www.visitmarshallislands.com

Mauritius: Maximum stay of 6 months. www.mauritius.net

Mexico: Maximum stay of 6 months. Tourist card may be required depending on location of travel within Mexico. www.visitmexico.com

Micronesia: Maximum stay of 30 days. www.visit-fsm.org

Moldova:  Maximum stay o 90 days.  WikiTravel

Mongolia: Maximum stay of 90 days. Visitors must register with police department within 10 days of arrival. www.mongoliatourism.gov.mn

Montserrat: Maximum stay of 3 months. www.visitmontserrat.com

Morocco: Maximum stay of 3 months. www.morocco.com

Mozambique: Visa on arrival for 25 USD. Maximum stay of 30 days.  WikiTravel

Namibia: Maximum stay of 3 months.
www.namibiatourism.com.na

Nepal: Visa on arrival. Fee varies depending on length of stay. Maximum stay of 150 days.

Netherlands (Including Antilles): Maximum stay of 3 months.

New Caledonia: Maximum stay of 1 month. WikiTravel


New Zealand: Maximum stay of 3 months. www.newzealand.com

Nicaragua: Maximum stay of 90 days. www.intur.gob.ni

Nieu: Maximum stay of 30 days.
www.niueisland.com

Northern Mariana Islands: US Territory www.mymarianas.com

Norway: Maximum stay of 3 months. www.visitnorway.com


Oman: Visa on arrival. Fee for 6 OMR (Local Currency). Maximum stay of 1 month.  www.omantourism.gov.om

Palau:  Visa not required for stays of 30 days or less .
www.visit-palu.com


Panama: Visa not required but tourist card is required for 5 USD. Maximum stay of 30 days. www.visitpanama.com


Papua New Guinea: Visa on arrival for 500 PGK (Local Currency) for a maximum stay of 60 days. Must arrive at Jackson International. Airport or Kagamuga Airport.   www.pngtourism.org.pg

Peru: Maximum stay of 90 days.
www.peru.info

Philippines: Maximum stay of 21 days. 
www.wowphilippines.com.ph

Poland: Maximum stay of 3 months.
  www.poland.travel


Portugal: Maximum stay of 3 months. www.visitportugal.com


Puerto Rico: US Territory http://seepuertorico.com/


Qatar: Visa on arrival for 55 QAR (Local Currency). Maximum stay of 21 days.  www.experienceqatar.com

Reunion: Maximum stay of 3 months.  http://wikitravel.org/en/Reunion 


Romania: Maximum stay of 90 days.  
www.romaniatourism.com

Rwanda: Visa on arrival for no charge. Maximum stay of 3 months.  www.rwandatourism.com

Samoa (Western): Visa not required but visitor permit must be obtained on arrival. Maximum stay of 60 days.
 
www.visitsamoa.ws

Samoa (American): US Territory:  WikiTravel

Senegal: Maximum stay of 3 months.  WikiTravel

Serbia and Montenegro: Maximum stay of 90 days.   www.visit-montenegro.com  and  www.serbia-tourism.org

Seychelles: Visa not required but visitor permit must be obtained on arrival. Maximum stay of 1 month.
www.seychelles.travel/en/home/index.php

Singapore: Visa not required but social visit pass must be obtained on arrival (no charge). Maximum stay of 30 days.  YourSingapore

Slovak Republic: Maximum stay of 90 days.  www.slovakiatourism.sk 

Slovenia: Maximum stay of 90 days. 
www.slovenia.info

Solomon Islands: Visa not required but visitor permit must be obtained on arrival. Maximum stay of 3 months.
www.visitsolomons.com.sb

South Africa: Maximum stay of 90 days.   www.southafrica.net

Spain: Maximum stay of 3 months.  www.spain.info

Sri Lanka: Visa on arrival - fee unknown. Maximum stay of 30 days.  http://www.srilankatourism.org/

St. Kitts-Nevis: Maximum stay of 3 months.  
www.stkittstourism.kn

St. Lucia: Maximum stay of 6 months. 
www.stlucia.org

St. Vincent and The Grenadines: Maximum stay of 1 month.  WikiTravel

Swaziland: Maximum stay of 2 months.   www.welcometoswaziland.com

Sweden: Maximum stay of 3 months.   www.visitsweden.com

Switzerland: Maximum stay of 3 months.  www.myswitzerland.com

Taiwan: Visa not required if arriving at Taipei Chiang Kai Shek or Kaohsiung Airport. Maximum stay of 30 days.
www.go2taiwan.net

Tajikistan: Visa on arrival from $45 to $65 depending on length of stay.  Maximum stay of 45 days.  www.traveltajikistan.com

Tanzania: Visa on arrival for 50 USD.  Check visa with immigration officer for maximum stay.  www.tanzaniatouristboard.com

Thailand: Maximum stay of 30 days. 
www.tourismthailand.org

Timor Leste (East Timor): Visa on arrival for 30 USD. Maximum stay of 30 days.  www.turismotimorleste.com

Togo:  Visa on arrival - fee not specified.  Maximum stay of 7 days.  wikitravel.org/en/Togo

Tonga: Visa on arrival for no charge. Maximum stay of 31 days.  www.tongaholiday.com

Transnistria:  Enter via Moldova.  WikiTravel

Trinidad & Tobago: Maximum stay of 3 months. 
www.gotrinidadandtobago.com

Tunisia: Maximum stay of 4 months.  http://www.cometotunisia.co.uk/

Turkey: Visa on arrival for fee of 20 USD. Maximum stay of 3 months.  www.tourismturkey.org

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus:  Enter via Turkey.  Maximum stay of 3 months.  WikiTravel

Turks & Caicos Isl: Maximum stay of 30 days.  
www.turksandcaicostourism.com

Tuvalu: Visa on arrival - no fee specified. Maximum stay of 1 month.  http://www.timelesstuvalu.com/

Uganda: Visa on arrival - fee varies depending on length of stay.  http://www.visituganda.com/

Ukraine: Maximum stay of 90 days. 
www.ukraine.com

United Arab Emirates: Visa on arrival - no fee specified. Maximum stay of 1 month.  www.uaeinteract.com/travel/travel.asp

United Kingdom: Maximum stay of 6 months. 
www.visitbritain.com

United States:  For a list of all USA official tourism websites:  All States List or National Site

Uruguay: Maximum stay of 3 months.   www.turismo.gub.uy

Vanuatu: Maximum stay of 30 days.  WikiTravel

Vatican City: Enter via Italy.  WikiTravel

Venezuela: Visa not required but tourist card must be obtained on aircraft. Maximum stay of 90 days.
www.think-venezuela.net

Virgin Islands (USA): US Territory.  www.usvitourism.vi        

Virgin Islands (UK): Maximum stay of 30 days. 
www.bvitourism.com  

Yemen: Visa on arrival for 10,500 YER (Local Currency). Maximum stay of 1 month.  www.yementourism.com

Zambia: Visa on arrival - fee varies depending on length of stay.  www.zambiatourism.com

Zimbabwe: Visa on arrival - fee varies. Maximum stay of 3 months. 
http://wikitravel.org/en/Zimbabwe

This is the list of countries that require American citizens to obtain visas prior to arrival (with no e-visa option), issue a visa on arrival only under extraordinary circumstances and/or conditions which make it inadvisable to travel without a visa, or visa requirements cannot be determined:

Abkhazia, Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Congo (ROC), Congo (DRC), Cote D'Ivorie, Eritrea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea (Republic), Guinea-Bissau, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Korea (North), Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Myanmar, Nagorno-Karabakh, Nauru, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Puntland, Russia, Sao Tome & Principe, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Somaliland, South Ossetia, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

If needing to travel to these countries, please see the following index of embassies in the United States and select the appropriate country:


US State Department List of Embassies