Travel Restrictions for Convicted Felons
European Union
Austria
Entry/Exit Requirements: Austria is a party to the Schengen agreement. As such, U.S.
citizens may enter Austria for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a
visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay.
For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see
our Schengen fact sheet
. Anyone intending to stay longer than 90 days must obtain the
appropriate visa issued by the Austrian Embassy in the United States.
Visit the Embassy of Austria web site at http://www.austria.org/ for the most current visa
information. There are four Austrian Consulates General in the United States. As each
one serves clients from a particular region, please contact the appropriate office for
assistance. If you reside outside the U.S., please contact the responsible Austrian
Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence. A list of Austrian
Embassies/Consulates is available at
http://www.bmeia.gv.at/aussenministerium/buergerservice/oesterreichische-
vertretungen.html.
Belgium
Entry/Exit Requirements: Belgium is a party to the Schengen agreement. As such,
U.S. citizens may enter Belgium for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes
without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period
of stay. Sufficient funds and a return airline ticket are required. For further details about
travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our Schengen fact sheet. For
further information concerning entry requirements, contact the Embassy of Belgium at
3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 333-6900; or one of
the Belgian Consulates General in Atlanta, Los Angeles, or New York. Visit
the Embassy of Belgium website for the most current visa information.
Bulgaria
Entry/Exit Requirements: A United States passport is required for U.S. citizens who are
not also Bulgarian nationals. U.S. citizens who enter the country without a Bulgarian
visa are authorized to stay for a total of 90 days within a six-month period. This law is
strictly enforced. An application to extend one’s stay beyond the original 90 days can be
filed for urgent or humanitarian reasons, but must be submitted to regional police
authorities no later than five days prior to the end of the original 90-day period. Travelers
who have been in the country for 90 days, and then leave, will not be able to re-enter
Bulgaria before the six-month period expires. Travelers using official or diplomatic
passports must secure visas prior to arrival. Upon entering the country, Bulgarian
immigration authorities request that all foreigners declare the purpose of their visit and
provide their intended address.
For further information concerning entry requirements, travelers should contact the
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria at 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008;
http://www.bulgaria-embassy.org; tel. (202) 387-7969 (main switchboard (202) 387-
0174), or the Bulgarian Consulate in New York City at 121 East 62nd Street, New York,
NY 10021; http://www.consulbulgaria-ny.org; tel. (212) 935-4646.
The Bulgarian authorities do not consider presentation of a copy of the passport sufficient
for identification purposes. Visitors should carry their original passports with them at all
times. This is not a requirement for U.S. citizens who hold residence permits for Bulgaria
Cyprus
Entry/Exit Requirements: A passport is required for travel to Cyprus. A visa is not
required for a stay of up to 90 days. For longer stays, a visa or residence permit is
required. U.S. citizens should be mindful that the Government of Cyprus does not
recognize the residence permits issued by Turkish Cypriot authorities for the portions of
the island under Turkish Cypriot administration. The Government of Cyprus does not
issue residency permits to individuals who live in the areas outside government control.
On occasion, Americans who resided in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots for
more than 90 days without a Republic of Cyprus residence permit have been detained by
officials at Larnaca airport and denied entry into the government-controlled area. They
also may be subject to prosecution.
The U.S. Embassy encourages travelers to read the “Special Circumstances” section of
this fact sheet for important additional information about entry requirements into the
Turkish Cypriot-administered areas. For further information on entry requirements for
Cyprus, travelers can contact the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus at 2211 R Street
NW, Washington, DC 20008-4082, tel. (202) 462-5772, or the Cypriot Consulate in New
York at 13 East 40th St., 5th Floor, New York, NY 10016, tel. (212) 686-6016/17. Visit
the Embassy of Cyprus’ web site at http://www.cyprusembassy.net for the most current
visa information.
Czech Republic
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: The Czech Republic is a party to the Schengen
Agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter the Czech Republic for up to 90 days for
tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three
months beyond the periods of stay. For further details on travel into and within Schengen
counties, please see our Schengen Fact Sheet
. All foreigners seeking entry in the Czech
Republic must carry proof of a medical insurance policy contracted for payment of all
costs for hospitalization and medical treatment in the Czech Republic.
The Embassy of the Czech Republic’s web site
provides the most current visa
information. The Czech Government requires travelers to the Czech Republic to have
proof of finances to pay for their stay and proof of travel/health insurance. Minimum
coverage of the insurance has to be at least $35,000.
According to the Czech Government, a health insurance card or an internationally
recognized credit card with health insurance included will generally be accepted as proof
of insurance to enter the country.
Note: Although European Union regulations require that non-EU visitors obtain a stamp
in their passports upon initial entry to a Schengen country, many borders are not staffed
with officers carrying out this function. If an American citizen wishes to ensure that his
or her entry is properly documented, it may be necessary to request a stamp at an official
point of entry. Under local law, travelers without a stamp in their passports may be
questioned and asked to document the length of their stay in Schengen countries at the
time of departure or at any other point during their visit, and could face possible fines or
other repercussions if unable to do so.
Denmark
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Denmark is a party to the Schengen agreement.
As such, U.S. citizens may enter Denmark for up to 90 days for tourist or business
purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond
the period of stay. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries,
please see our Schengen fact sheet. Passport and visa regulations are similar for
Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroes. Contact the Royal Danish Embassy at 3200
Whitehaven Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20008 or by telephone at (202) 234-4300 for
the most current visa information. Another source of useful information, available in
both English and Danish, is the Danish Immigration Service website.
Estonia
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required. Estonia is a party to
the Schengen Agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter Estonia for up to 90 days for
tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three
months beyond the period of stay. For further details about travel into and within
Schengen countries, please see our Schengen Fact Sheet.
For further information concerning entry requirements and residency permits, contact the
Estonian Embassy, located at 2131 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008,
telephone (202) 588-0101, or the Consulate General of Estonia in New York City,
telephone (212) 883-0636. Visit the Embassy of Estonia website for the most current visa
information. American citizens who wish to reside in Estonia (e.g. for work, studies,
retirement, etc.) can also consult with the Estonian Citizenship and Migration Board
.
Finland
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Finland is a party to the Schengen agreement. As
such, U.S. citizens may enter Finland for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes
without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period
of stay. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see
our Schengen fact sheet
.
Travelers can contact the Embassy of Finland at 3301 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, DC 20008, tel: (202) 298-5800, or the Finnish Consulates General in Los
Angeles or New York. Additional information is available via the Internet at
http://www.finland.org
.
The U.S. Embassy in Helsinki is not able to assist private U.S. citizens in obtaining any
necessary visas for neighboring countries, including Russia and other countries of the
former Soviet Union.
France & Monaco
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: France is party to the Schengen agreement. As
such, U.S. citizens may enter France for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes
without a visa. A passport is required and should be valid for at least three months
beyond the period of stay. Anyone intending to stay more than 90 days must obtain the
appropriate visa issued by one of the French Consulates in the U.S., prior to departure for
France. For further information about travel into and within Schengen countries, please
see our fact sheet .
A passport is required to enter Monaco. A visa is not required for tourist/business stays
up to 90 days in Monaco.For further information concerning entry requirements for
France, travelers may contact the Embassy of France at 4101 Reservoir Road NW,
Washington, DC 20007, tel. (202) 944-6000, email: [email protected]
, or the
French Consulates General in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
New Orleans, New York, or San Francisco.
For further information on entry requirements to Monaco, travelers may contact the
Embassy of the Principality of Monaco. 2314 Wyoming Avenue, NW Washington, DC
20008, Tel: 202-234-1530, email: [email protected]
, or the Consulate General
of Monaco, 565 Fifth Avenue – 23rd floor, New York, NY 10017, tel.: 212-286-0500,
email: info@monaco-consulate.com. For more information, visit the Embassy of France
web site at www.consulfrance-washington.org or the Embassy of the Principality of
Monaco web site at http://www.monaco-usa.org for the most current visa information.
Germany
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Germany is a party to the Schengen Agreement. As
such, U.S. citizens may enter Germany for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes
without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period
of stay. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see
our Schengen fact sheet
. Further information on entry, visa and passport requirements
may be obtained from the German Embassy at 4645 Reservoir Road N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20007, telephone (202) 298-4000, web site:
http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/Startseite.html, or the German Consulates in
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, or San Francisco.
Passengers transiting Germany en route to other countries should ensure that they are
aware of and in compliance with the entry requirements for their final destinations as
individuals not presenting appropriate documentation for their destination may be denied
boarding on connecting flights.
Greece
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Greece is a party to the Schengen agreement. As
such, U.S. citizens may enter Greece for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes
without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period
of stay. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our
Schengen fact sheet. For other entry requirements, travelers should contact the Embassy
of Greece at 2221 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202)
939-5800, or Greek consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles,
Tampa, New York, and San Francisco, and Greek embassies and consulates around the
world.
Holders of official or diplomatic passports visiting Greece as tourists must obtain visas
prior to arrival. Visit the Embassy of Greece web site for the most current visa
information
Hungary
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required. Hungary is a party to
the Schengen Agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter Hungary for up to 90 days for
tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three
months beyond the period of stay. For further details about travel into and within
Schengen countries, please see our Schengen Fact Sheet.
For further information concerning entry requirements and residency permits, contact the
Embassy of the Republic of Hungary at 3910 Shoemaker Street N.W., Washington, D.C.
20008, telephone (202) 362-6730. More information can be found on the Hungarian
Embassy’s website, or by visiting the Hungarian Consulates in Los Angeles or New
York.
Ireland – “Contact the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform www.justice.ie“
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport is necessary, but a visa is not required
for tourist or business stays of up to three months. Visit the Embassy of Ireland web site
(www.irelandemb.org/) for the most current visa information, or contact the Embassy at
2234 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel: 1-202-462-3939, or the
nearest Irish consulate in Boston, Chicago, New York or San Francisco.
Italy
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Italy is a party to the Schengen agreement. As
such, U.S. citizens may enter Italy for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes
without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period
of stay. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see
our Schengen Fact sheet
.
For further information concerning visas and entry requirements for Italy, travelers may
contact the Embassy of Italy at 3000 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008, via
telephone at (202) 612-4400 or online at
http://www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/ambasciata_washington
, or Italian Consulates
General in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New
Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, or San Francisco, accessible through the Italian
Embassy web site.
Americans staying or traveling within Italy for less than three (3) months are considered
non-residents. This includes persons on vacation, those taking professional trips, students
registered at an authorized school, or persons performing research or independent study.
As of May 2007, under Italian law (http://www.camera.it/parlam/leggi/07068l.htm), all
non-residents are required to complete a dichiarazione di presenza (declaration of
presence). Tourists arriving from a non-Schengen-country (e.g. the United States) should
obtain a stamp in their passport at the airport on the day of arrival. This stamp is
considered the equivalent of the declaration of presence. Tourists arriving from a
Schengen-country (e.g. France) must request the declaration of presence form from a
local police office (commissariato di zona), police headquarters (questura) or their place
of stay (e.g hotel, hostel, campgrounds) and submit the form to the police or to their place
of stay within eight business days of arrival. It is important that applicants keep a copy of
the receipt issued by the Italian authorities. Failure to complete a declaration of presence
is punishable by expulsion from Italy. Additional information may be obtained (in Italian
only) from the Portale Immigrazione at http://www.portaleimmigrazione.it and the
Polizia di Stato at http://www.poliziadistato.it/pds/ps/immigrazione/soggiorno.htm
.
Latvia
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required. Latvia is a party to
the Schengen Agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter Latvia for up to 90 days for
tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three
months beyond the period of stay. For further details about travel into and within
Schengen countries, please see our Schengen Fact Sheet
. All travelers must have a valid
insurance policy, covering medical expenses while in Latvia. Repatriation costs,
including funeral and disposition of remains costs also have to be covered by the policy.
In addition, upon entering or exiting the country, travelers must declare cash in excess of
10,000 EUR to Latvian customs. For more information, travelers may contact the
Latvian Embassy, at 2306 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel.
(202)328-2840, fax (202)328-2860. Within Latvia, contact the Ministry of Interiors
Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs at Ciekurkalna 1st line, building 3, Riga, LV-
1026. Tel. (371)67588675, e-mail: pmlp@pmlp.gov.lv.
Any traveler to Russia, even in transit, is advised to obtain a visa prior to entry into
Latvia. The process of obtaining a visa at the Russian Embassy in Riga can be lengthy,
and may involve surrender of the passport for an undetermined period of time. Visit the
Embassy of Latvia website
for the most current visa information.
Luxembourg
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required. Luxembourg is a party to
the Schengen agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter Luxembourg for up to 90 days
for tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least
three months beyond the period of stay. Sufficient funds and a return airline ticket are
required. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see
our Schengen fact sheet.
For further information concerning entry requirements for Luxembourg, travelers may
contact the Embassy of Luxembourg at 2200 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC
20008, phone: (202) 265-4171 or 4172, or the Luxembourg Consulate General in New
York, phone: (212) 888-6664 or in San Francisco, phone: (415) 788-0816. Visit
the Embassy of Luxembourg website for the most current visa information.
Malta
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Malta is a party to the Schengen agreement. As
such, U.S. citizens may enter Malta for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes
without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period
of stay. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see
our Schengen Fact sheet . For further information concerning entry requirements for
Malta, travelers should contact the Embassy of Malta at 2017 Connecticut Avenue, NW,
Washington DC 20008, tel.: (202) 462-3611, web site:
http://www.foreign.gov.mt/default.aspx?MLEV=47&MDIS=505
, or the Maltese
Consulate in New York City, tel.: (212) 725-2345.
Netherlands
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: The Netherlands is a party to the Schengen
Agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter the Netherlands for up to 90 days for tourist
or business purposes without a visa. If you are traveling for any other purpose, you may
need to obtain a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the
period of stay. The 90-day period begins when you enter any of the Schengen group of
countries. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see
our Schengen fact sheet
.
For further information on entry requirements, contact the Embassy of the Netherlands at
4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 244-5300, or one of
the Dutch consulates in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York or Miami, in addition to
various honorary Dutch consulates throughout the United States. Additional information
is available on the Netherlands’ Board of Tourism and Conventions web site at
http://us.holland.com/. Visit the Embassy of the Netherlands' online at
http://www.netherlands-embassy.org/homepage.asp for the most current visa
information.
Information on work, residency and immigration requirements in the Netherlands can be
found on the web site of the Dutch immigration authorities at
http://www.ind.nl/EN/verblijfwijzer/
.
Poland
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Poland is a party to the Schengen agreement. As
such, U.S. citizens may enter Poland for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes
without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period
of stay. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see
our fact sheet.
Polish immigration officials may ask travelers for proof of sufficient financial resources
to cover their proposed stay in Poland, generally viewed as 100 zloty per day.
Additionally, citizens of non-EU countries, including the United States, should carry
proof of adequate medical insurance in case of an accident or hospitalization while in
Poland. Polish immigration officials may ask for documentation of such insurance or
proof of sufficient financial resources (at least 400 zloty per day) to cover such costs.
Those who lack insurance or access to adequate financial resources may be denied
admission to Poland. Medicare does not cover health costs incurred while abroad.
For further information on entry requirements, please contact the consular section of the
Embassy of the Republic of Poland at 2224 Wyoming Ave. NW, Washington, DC
20008, tel. (202) 234-3800, or the Polish consulates in Chicago, Los Angeles or New
York. Visit the Embassy of Poland web site for the most current visa information.
Portugal
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Portugal is a party to the Schengen agreement. As
such, U.S. citizens may enter Portugal for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes
without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period
of stay. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see
our fact sheet .
Portuguese law requires some non-European Union foreign nationals to register with
immigration officials within three working days of entering Portugal. The law affects
those who transit another Schengen area country by air en route to Portugal and stay at
noncommercial accommodations.
Travelers may also contact the Embassy of Portugal at 2012 Massachusetts Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20036, tel. (202) 350-5400, or the Portuguese Consulates in Boston,
MA; New Bedford, MA; Providence, RI; New York, NY; Newark, NJ; San Francisco,
CA; or Los Angeles, CA. Visit the Government of Portugal’s web site at
http://embassyportugal-us.org/ for the most current visa information.
Romania
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required. U.S. citizen visitors
are granted 90 days of stay without a visa within a given six-month period. For stays
longer than 90 days, an extension of stay may be obtained in Romania from the
Romanian Immigration Office in the area of residence. An exit visa must be obtained in
cases of overstay. The Romanian Government is enforcing visa regulations more
vigorously and a record of visa overstay can result in the assessment of large fines and
the denial of entry without a visa for a specified time. Visit the Embassy of Romania
web site for the most current visa information or contact the Romanian Embassy at 1607
23rd St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone number (202) 232-4747, or the
Romanian Consulates in Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York City. .
Foreigners are required to carry identification documents at all times. Americans who
obtained a temporary or permanent stay permit must be able to present the document
upon the request of any “competent authorities.” Foreigners who do not have a stay
permit should present their passports. (The Embassy recommends carrying a copy of the
relevant document).
U.S. visa information for Romanians and other foreign citizens can be found on the web
site of the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest or the Department’s travel website .
Slovak Republic
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: The Slovak Republic is a party to the Schengen
Agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter the Slovak Republic for up to 90 days for
tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three
months beyond the period of stay. For further details about travel into and within
Schengen countries, please see our Schengen fact sheet. All foreigners seeking entry into
the Slovak Republic must carry proof of a medical insurance policy contracted for
payment of all costs for hospitalization and medical treatment in the Slovak Republic.
Border police have the right to request evidence of finances sufficient to pay for the
proposed stay in the Slovak Republic in the amount of $50 per person per day. Current
information can be found on the Slovak Embassy’s web site at
http://www.mzv.sk/washington.
All persons in the Slovak Republic over the age of 15 must carry official identification at
all times. American citizens staying overnight in the Slovak Republic must register with
the local Border and Aliens Police within three working days. Persons staying at hotels
are registered automatically. Visit the Slovak Ministry of the Interior’s web site at
http://www.minv.sk/ for the most current information.
Slovenia
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Slovenia is a party to the Schengen agreement. As
such, U.S. citizens may enter Slovenia for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes
without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period
of stay. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see
our Schegen fact sheet .
Slovene authorities may confiscate passports with signs of damage, such as missing
pages, as suspicious documents, potentially causing travel delays. American citizens
entering and exiting Slovenia by personal vehicle are required to have a valid U.S. and
International Driver’s License (See our Road Safety page for further information) or they
may be refused entry into the country and/or fined.
All non-EU citizens staying longer than 3 days in Slovenia must register with the local
police within 3 days of arrival and inform the office about any change in their address.
Registration of foreign visitors staying in hotels or accommodations rented through an
accommodation company is done automatically by the hotelier or accommodation
company, but visitors staying with family members must register themselves.
Registration is available 24 hours a day at police stations and is free of charge. Failure to
register can result in a significant fine of up to 400 euros.
For further information on entry requirements for Slovenia, travelers may contact the
Embassy of Slovenia at 2410 California Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel. (202)
386-6610; the Consulate General of Slovenia in New York City, tel. (2l2) 370-3006; or
the Consulate General in Cleveland, Ohio, tel. (216) 589-9220. Visit the Embassy of
Slovenia’s web site for the most current visa information.
Spain
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Spain is a party to the Schengen agreement. As
such, U.S. citizens may enter Spain for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes
without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period
of stay. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see
our Schengen Fact Sheet.
For further information concerning entry requirements for Spain, travelers should contact
the Embassy of Spain at 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037,
telephone (202) 452-0100, or the nearest Spanish Consulate in Boston, Chicago,
Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, or San Juan.
Additional information can be found on the Spanish government web site. Additional
information may be obtained from the Tourist Office of Spain
in New York at (212) 265-
8822.
For further information on entry requirements to Andorra, travelers should contact the
Andorran Mission to the UN, 2 U.N. Plaza, 25th floor, New York, NY 10018, telephone
(212) 750-8064 or online at http://www.andorra.ad
. Visit the Embassy of Spain and
Andorra web sites for the most current visa information.
Sweden – “Even if you are going for a week, you need to apply for an entry visa”
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Sweden is a party to the Schengen agreement. As
such, U.S. citizens may enter Sweden for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes
without a visa. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please
see our Schengen Fact Sheet. Contact the Swedish Embassy at 901 30th Street NW,
Washington, DC 20007, tel: (202) 467-2600 (mailing address 2900 K Street NW,
Washington, DC), or the Swedish Consulate General in New York at (212) 583-2550 for
the most current visa information. Sweden 's Migration Board (Migrationsverket) also
provides visa information.
United Kingdom
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: The UK Border Agency (UKBA) is now in the
process of fully implementing a five-tier regulation system that affects Americans
coming to the United Kingdom as well as American citizens and dependents already in
the country. Information on the new, points-based system can be found on the UKBA
web site.
If travelers or sponsors have any questions about requirements for a visa, please refer to
the UKBA web site.
Travelers must be outside the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man
when they make an application for a visa.
It is the traveler’s personal responsibility to ensure that he/she has the appropriate
permission to enter the United Kingdom. The U.S. Embassy in London cannot intervene
with any application, nor can it secure entry on behalf of American citizens who arrive
without a visa when one is required.
UK Border Agency:
Grounds on which entry clearance or leave to enter the United Kingdom should normally
be refused:
(18) save where the Immigration Officer is satisfied that admission would be justified for
strong compassionate reasons, conviction in any country including the United Kingdom
of any offense which, if committed in the United Kingdom, is punishable with
imprisonment for a term of 23 months or any greater punishment or, if committed outside
the United Kingdom, would be so punishable if the conduct constituting the offence had
occurred in the United Kingdom
*It is always best to contact the consulate or Embassy of the country you wish to travel to
in order to avoid any problems.
Caribbean Region
ANGUILLA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All Americans traveling by air outside of the
United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter the
United States. This requirement will be extended to sea travel (except closed-loop
cruises), including ferry service, on June 1, 2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by
sea may present government-issued photo identification and a document showing their
U.S. citizenship (for example, a birth certificate or certificate of nationalization). Starting
June 1, 2009, all travelers must present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
compliant document such as a passport or a passport card for entry to the United States.
While passport cards and enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the
United States, they may not be accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please
be sure to check with your cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry
requirements.
In addition to a valid passport or passport card, U.S. citizens need onward or return
tickets, and sufficient funds for their stay. A departure tax is charged at the airport or
ferry dock when leaving. For further information, travelers may contact the British
Embassy, 19 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 588-
7800; or the nearest consulate of the United Kingdom in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago,
Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Denver, Houston, Miami, Orlando, Seattle, or San
Francisco. Visit the British Embassy web site for the most current visa information.
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All Americans traveling by air outside of the
United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter the
United States. This requirement will be extended to sea travel (except closed-loop
cruises), including ferry service, on June 1, 2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by
sea may present government-issued photo identification and a document showing their
U.S. citizenship (for example, a birth certificate or certificate of nationalization). Starting
June 1, 2009, all travelers must present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
compliant document such as a passport or a passport card for entry to the United States.
While passport cards and enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the
United States, they may not be accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please
be sure to check with your cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry
requirements.
Immigration officials are strict about getting exact information about where visitors are
staying, and will often request to see a return ticket or ticket for onward travel, as well as
proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of the visitor’s intended stay. There is a
departure tax payable when departing the country. For further information on entry
requirements, travelers can contact the Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda, 3216 New
Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016, telephone (202) 362-5122, or their
consulates in Miami. Additional information may be found on the home page of the
Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism.
ARUBA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS:All Americans traveling by air outside of the United
States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter the United
States. This requirement will be extended to sea travel (except closed-loop cruises),
including ferry service, on June 1, 2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by sea may
present government-issued photo identification and a document showing their U.S.
citizenship (for example, a birth certificate or certificate of nationalization). Starting June
1, 2009, all travelers must present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
compliant document such as a passport or a passport card for entry to the United States.
While passport cards and enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the
United States, they may not be accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please
be sure to check with your cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry
requirements.
In addition visitors to Aruba may be asked to show onward/return tickets, proof of
sufficient funds and proof of lodging accommodations for their stay. Length of stay for
U.S. citizens is granted for thirty days and may be extended to 180 days by the office of
immigration. For further information, travelers may contact the Royal Netherlands
Embassy, 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 244-
5300, or the Dutch Consulate in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Houston or Miami.
Visit the web site for the Embassy of the Netherlands at http://www.netherlands-
embassy.org and the Aruban Department of Immigration at
http://www.aruba.com/about/entryrequirements.php for the most current visa
information.
BAHAMAS
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All Americans traveling by air outside of the
United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or
re-enter the United States. This requirement will be extended to sea travel (except
closed-loop cruises), including ferry service, on June 1, 2009. Until then, U.S. citizens
traveling by sea may present government-issued photo identification and a document
showing their U.S. citizenship (for example, a birth certificate or certificate of
nationalization). Starting June 1, 2009, all travelers must present Western Hemisphere
Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document such as a passport or a passport card for
entry or re-entry to the U.S. Sea travelers should also check with their cruise line and
countries of destination for any foreign entry requirements.
We strongly encourage all American citizen travelers to apply for a U.S. passport or
passport card well in advance of anticipated travel. American citizens can visit
travel.state.gov or call 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778) for information on how to
apply for their passports.
U.S. citizens do not need to obtain visas to visit The Bahamas and may enter using either
a passport or, if traveling by sea, a passport card. The Bahamas does not accept Enhanced
Driver's Licenses (EDLs) for entry.
All U.S. Nationals who are currently on community supervision cannot enter the
Bahamas, but can seek entry once their sentence is completed.
BERMUDA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Travelers may contact the British Consulate
in
New York, telephone (212) 745-0273/3206/0281, or the British Consulate in Atlanta,
Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, or San Francisco or the Bermuda Department of
Immigration.
All Americans traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a
passport or other valid travel document to enter the United States. This requirement will
be extended to sea travel (except closed-loop cruises), including ferry service, on June 1,
2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by sea may present government-issued photo
identification and a document showing their U.S. citizenship (for example, a birth
certificate or certificate of nationalization). Starting June 1, 2009, all travelers must
present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document such as a
passport or a passport card for entry to the United States. While passport cards and
enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the United States, they may not be
accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please be sure to check with your
cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry requirements.
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All Americans traveling by air outside of the
United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter the
United States. This requirement will be extended to sea travel (except closed-loop
cruises), including ferry service, on June 1, 2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by
sea may present government-issued photo identification and a document showing their
U.S. citizenship (for example, a birth certificate or certificate of nationalization). Starting
June 1, 2009, all travelers must present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
compliant document such as a passport or a passport card for entry to the United States.
While passport cards and enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the
United States, they may not be accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please
be sure to check with your cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry
requirements.
Visit the Embassy of the United Kingdom’s web site at http://www.britainusa.com for
the most current visa information.
CAYMAN ISLANDS
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All Americans traveling by air outside of the
United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or
re-enter the United States. This requirement will be extended to sea travel (except closed-
loop cruises), including ferry service, by the summer of 2009. Until then, U.S. citizens
traveling by sea must have government-issued photo identification and a document
showing their U.S. citizenship (for example, a birth certificate or certificate of
nationalization), or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant
document such as a passport card for entry or re-entry to the U.S. Sea travelers should
also check with their cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry
requirements.
Applications for the new U.S. Passport Card are now being accepted and have been in
full production since July 2008.The card may not be used to travel by air and is available
only to U.S. citizens. Further information on passport cards is available and upcoming
changes to U.S. passport policy can be found on the Bureau of Consular Affairs web site.
We strongly encourage all American citizen travelers to apply for a U.S. passport well in
advance of anticipated travel. American citizens can visit travel.state.gov or call 1-877-
4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778) for information on how to apply for their passports.
Visas are not required for U.S. citizens traveling to the Cayman Islands for short-term
visits. U.S. citizens traveling to the Cayman Islands for work must obtain a work permit
from the Department of Immigration of the Cayman Islands, telephone (345) 949-8344.
There is a departure tax for travelers age 12 and older, which is regularly included in
airfare. For further information travelers may contact Cayman Islands Department of
Tourism offices in Miami at (305) 599-9033, New York (212) 889-9009, Houston (713)
461-1317 and Chicago (630) 705-0650.
DOMINICA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All Americans traveling by air outside of the
United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter the
United States. This requirement will be extended to sea travel (except closed-loop
cruises), including ferry service, on June 1, 2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by
sea may present government-issued photo identification and a document showing their
U.S. citizenship (for example, a birth certificate or certificate of nationalization). Starting
June 1, 2009, all travelers must present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
compliant document such as a passport or a passport card for entry to the United States.
While passport cards and enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the
United States, they may not be accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please
be sure to check with your cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry
requirements.
In addition to a valid passport or passport card, U.S. citizens may be asked to present a
return or onward ticket. U.S. citizens should take special care to secure their passports
while traveling as it can be time-consuming and difficult to acquire new proof of
citizenship to facilitate return travel should the passport be lost or stolen. There is a
departure tax assessed when leaving Dominica. Children under twelve years of age are
exempt from the departure tax. For further information concerning entry
requirements, travelers can contact the Embassy of the Commonwealth of Dominica,
3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016, telephone (202) 364-6781, or
the Consulate General of Dominica in New York at (212) 768-2480. Visit the Dominica
Division of Tourism official web site for more information.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All Americans traveling by air outside of the
United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter the
United States. This requirement will be extended to sea travel (except closed-loop
cruises), including ferry service, on June 1, 2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by
sea may present government-issued photo identification and a document showing their
U.S. citizenship (for example, a birth certificate or certificate of nationalization). Starting
June 1, 2009, all travelers must present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
compliant document such as a passport or a passport card for entry to the United States.
While passport cards and enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the
United States, they may not be accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please
be sure to check with your cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry
requirements.
For information concerning entry and exit requirements, travelers may contact the
Embassy of the Dominican Republic at 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008,
tel. (202) 332-6280. There are also Dominican consulates in Boston, Chicago
(Northfield, IL), Mayaguez, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Juan. Visit the
Embassy of the Dominican Republic web site for the most current visa information
.
GRENADA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All Americans traveling by air outside of the
United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter the
United States. This requirement will be extended to sea travel (except closed-loop
cruises), including ferry service, on June 1, 2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by
sea may present government-issued photo identification and a document showing their
U.S. citizenship (for example, a birth certificate or certificate of nationalization). Starting
June 1, 2009, all travelers must present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
compliant document such as a passport or a passport card for entry to the United States.
While passport cards and enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the
United States, they may not be accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please
be sure to check with your cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry
requirements.
For additional information concerning entry/exit requirements, travelers may contact the
Embassy of Grenada, 1701 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009,
telephone: (202) 265-2561, fax: (202) 265-2468, or the Consulate of Grenada in New
York. Sea travelers must have a valid U.S. passport (or other original proof of U.S.
citizenship, such as a certified U.S. birth certificate with a government-issued photo ID).
There is no visa requirement for stays up to three months. However, now that the United
States requires a passport to re-enter, Grenadian immigration authorities have been more
closely scrutinizing the documentation of arriving American citizens and may deny entry
for insufficient documentation of citizenship. There is an airport departure fee of US$20
for adults and US$10 for children between the ages of five and twelve.
JAMAICA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All Americans traveling by air outside of the
United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter the
United States. This requirement will be extended to sea travel (except closed-loop
cruises), including ferry service, on June 1, 2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by
sea may present government-issued photo identification and a document showing their
U.S. citizenship (for example, a birth certificate or certificate of nationalization). Starting
June 1, 2009, all travelers must present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
compliant document such as a passport or a passport card for entry to the United States.
While passport cards and enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the
United States, they may not be accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please
be sure to check with your cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry
requirements.
Visitors must have a return ticket and be able to show sufficient funds for their visit. U.S.
citizens traveling to Jamaica for work or extended stays are required to have a current
U.S. passport and visa issued by the Jamaican Embassy or a Jamaican Consulate. There
is a departure tax for travelers, which is regularly included in airfare. For further
information, travelers may contact the Embassy of Jamaica at 1520 New Hampshire
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036, telephone (202) 452-0660; the Jamaican Consulate
in Miami or New York; honorary consuls in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Seattle
or Los Angeles. Visit the Embassy of Jamaica web site
for the most current visa
information.
Jamaican law prohibits entry by all persons convicted of a felony and still under
community supervision. However, the Jamaican embassy in Washington reports this law
is not always enforced and entry is often granted provided five years have passed since
the last “serious” conviction.
MONTSERRAT
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS:All Americans traveling by air outside of the United
States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter the United
States. This requirement will be extended to sea travel (except closed-loop cruises),
including ferry service, on June 1, 2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by sea may
present government-issued photo identification and a document showing their U.S.
citizenship (for example, a birth certificate or certificate of nationalization). Starting June
1, 2009, all travelers must present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
compliant document such as a passport or a passport card for entry to the United States.
While passport cards and enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the
United States, they may not be accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please
be sure to check with your cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry
requirements.
A passport if arriving by air, and a passport or passport card if arriving by sea, is required
for entry to Montserrat. You will also have to provide proof of an onward/return ticket
and sufficient funds to cover the expected stay. There is a departure tax payable upon
leaving Montserrat.
For further information, travelers may contact the British Embassy, 19 Observatory
Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 588-7800; or the nearest consulate
of the United Kingdom in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York,
Denver, Houston, Miami, Orlando, Seattle, or San Francisco. Visit the British Embassy's
web site for the most current visa information.
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All Americans traveling by air outside of the
United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter the
United States. This requirement will be extended to sea travel (except closed-loop
cruises), including ferry service, on June 1, 2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by
sea may present government-issued photo identification and a document showing their
U.S. citizenship (for example, a birth certificate or certificate of nationalization). Starting
June 1, 2009, all travelers must present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
compliant document such as a passport or a passport card for entry to the United States.
While passport cards and enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the
United States, they may not be accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please
be sure to check with your cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry
requirements.
The U.S. Consulate recommends traveling in the Netherlands Antilles with a valid U.S.
passport to avoid delays or misunderstandings. A lost or stolen passport is also easier to
replace when outside the United States than other evidence of citizenship. Visitors to the
Netherlands Antilles may be asked to show onward/return tickets or proof of sufficient
funds for their stay. Length of stay is granted for two weeks and may be extended for 90
days by the head office of immigration. For further information, travelers may contact the
Royal Netherlands Embassy, 4200 Linnean Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008,
telephone (202) 244-5300, or the Dutch Consulate in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York,
Houston or Miami. Visit the web site for the Embassy of the Netherlands
for the most
current visa information.
ST. KITTS AND NEVIS
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS:All Americans traveling by air outside of the United
States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter the United
States. This requirement will be extended to sea travel (except closed-loop cruises),
including ferry service, on June 1, 2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by sea may
present government-issued photo identification and a document showing their U.S.
citizenship (for example, a birth certificate or certificate of nationalization). Starting June
1, 2009, all travelers must present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
compliant document such as a passport or a passport card for entry to the United States.
While passport cards and enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the
United States, they may not be accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please
be sure to check with your cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry
requirements.
Visitors may be asked to present an onward/return ticket and proof of sufficient funds to
cover the cost of their visit. Stays of up to three months are granted at immigration.
Anyone requiring an extension must apply to the Ministry of National Security. There is
an airport departure tax and environmental levy charged when leaving the country. Visit
the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis web site for the most current visa information.
ST. LUCIA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All Americans traveling by air outside of the
United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter the
United States. This requirement will be extended to sea travel (except closed-loop
cruises), including ferry service, on June 1, 2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by
sea may present government-issued photo identification and a document showing their
U.S. citizenship (for example, a birth certificate or certificate of nationalization). Starting
June 1, 2009, all travelers must present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
compliant document such as a passport or a passport card for entry to the United States.
While passport cards and enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the
United States, they may not be accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please
be sure to check with your cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry
requirements.
Contact the Embassy of St. Lucia at tel.: (202) 364-6792/95, fax: (202) 364-6723, or visit
the Government of St. Lucia web site for the most current visa information.
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: For information concerning entry requirements,
travelers can contact the Embassy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 3216 New Mexico
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016, telephone (202) 364-6730, or the consulate in
New York.
All Americans traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a
passport or other valid travel document to enter the United States. This requirement will
be extended to sea travel (except closed-loop cruises), including ferry service, on June 1,
2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by sea may present government-issued photo
identification and a document showing their U.S. citizenship (for example, a birth
certificate or certificate of nationalization). Starting June 1, 2009, all travelers must
present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document
such as a
passport or a passport card for entry to the United States. While passport cards and
enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the United States, they may not be
accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please be sure to check with your
cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry requirements.
TURKS AND CAICOS
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: U.S. citizens do not need to obtain visas to enter
the Turks and Caicos Islands as tourists for less than 90 days.
Air Travel: All Americans traveling by air outside the United States are required to
present a valid U.S. passport to enter or re-enter the United States.
Sea Travel: As of June 1, 2009, Americans traveling by land or by sea are required to
present either a valid U.S. passport or other valid Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
(WHTI) travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. Other valid WHTI travel
documents include: passport card, enhanced driver’s license, NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST
card. Sea travelers should also check with their cruise line and countries of destination for
any foreign entry requirements.
Applications for the new U.S. Passport Card are now being accepted. The card may not
be used to travel by air and is available only to U.S. citizens. Further information on the
passport card and upcoming changes to U.S. passport policy can be found on the Bureau
of Consular Affairs web site. We strongly encourage all American citizen travelers to
apply for a U.S. passport well in advance of anticipated travel. American citizens can
visit travel.state.gov or call 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778) for information on how
to apply for their passports.
Visit the Embassy of the United Kingdom web site for the most current visa information.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_3256.html
MEXICO
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: ForL the latest entry requirements, contact the
Embassy of Mexico web site at http://portal.sre.gob.mx/usa/ or contact the Embassy of
Mexico at 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006, telephone (202)
736-1000 or any Mexican consulate in the United States for the most current information.
All Americans traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a
passport or other valid travel document to enter the United States. This requirement will
be extended to sea travel (except closed-loop cruises), including ferry service, on June 1,
2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by sea may present government-issued photo
identification and a document showing their U.S. citizenship (for example, a birth
certificate or certificate of nationalization). Starting June 1, 2009, all travelers must
present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document
such as a
passport or a passport card for entry to the United States. While passport cards and
enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the United States, they may not be
accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please be sure to check with your
cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry requirements.
Land travelers must have a valid U.S. passport or a passport card. U.S. legal permanent
residents in possession of their I-551 Permanent Resident card may board flights to the
U.S. from Mexico.
Tourist Travel: U.S. citizens do not require a visa or a tourist card for tourist stays of
72 hours or less within "the border zone," defined as an area between 20 to 30 kilometers
of the border with the U.S., depending on the location. U.S. citizens traveling as tourists
beyond the border zone or entering Mexico by air must pay a fee to obtain a tourist card,
also known as an FM-T, available from Mexican consulates, Mexican border crossing
points, Mexican tourism offices, airports within the border zone and most airlines serving
Mexico. The fee for the tourist card is generally included in the price of a plane ticket for
travelers arriving by air.
CANADA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Entry into Canada is solely determined by
Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials in accordance with Canadian law
. Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry both proof of citizenship
and proof of identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card or NEXUS card (see below)
satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens. If U.S. citizen travelers to Canada do not
have a passport, passport card or approved alternate document such as a NEXUS card,
they must show a government-issued photo ID (e.g. Driver’s License) and proof of U.S.
citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or expired U.S.
passport. Children under sixteen need only present proof of U.S. citizenship.
All Americans traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a
passport or other valid travel document to enter the United States. This requirement will
be extended to sea travel (except closed-loop cruises), including ferry service, on June 1,
2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by sea may present government-issued photo
identification and a document showing their U.S. citizenship (for example, a birth
certificate or certificate of nationalization). Starting June 1, 2009, all travelers must
present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document such as a
passport or a passport card for entry to the United States. While passport cards and
enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the United States, they may not be
accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please be sure to check with your
cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry requirements.
Both the U.S. and Canadian governments urge frequent travelers to join the NEXUS
trusted traveler program. NEXUS members receive a special travel card that allows
expedited border crossings for both private and commercial travelers through both U.S.
and Canadian border controls very quickly. The CBP has detailed information about the
NEXUS program .
U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third country must have a valid U.S. passport. A
visa is not required for U.S. citizens to visit Canada for up to 180 days. Anyone seeking
to enter Canada for any purpose other than a visit (e.g. to work, study or immigrate) must
qualify for the appropriate entry status, and should contact the Canadian Embassy or
nearest consulate and visit the Canadian immigration web site .
Anyone with a criminal record (including misdemeanors or Driving While Impaired
(DWI) charges may be barred from entering Canada and must obtain a special waiver
well in advance of any planned travel. To determine whether you may be inadmissible
and how to overcome this finding , refer to the Canadian citizenship and immigration
web site.
Forfurther information on entry requirements , travelers may contact the Canadian
Embassy at 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC 20001, tel. (202) 682-1740;
or the Canadian consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los
Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Juan or Seattle.
JAPAN
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport and an onward/return ticket are
required for tourist/business "visa free" stays of up to 90 days.. Passports must be valid
for the intended period of stay in Japan. A visa is not required for tourist/business stays
of up to 90 days. Americans cannot work on a 90-day "visa free" entry. As a general
rule, "visa free" entry status may not be changed to another visa status without departing
and then re-entering Japan with the appropriate visa such as a spouse, work or study visa.
For more information about the Japanese visa waiver program for tourists, Japan's strict
rules on work visas, special visas to take depositions, and other visa issues, travelers
should consult the Consular Section of the Embassy of Japan at 2520 Massachusetts
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel. (202) 238-6800, the nearest Japanese
consulate, or see the Japanese Embassy’s web site at http://www.us.emb-
japan.go.jp/english/html/travel_and_visa/travel_and_visa_index.htm. The U.S. Embassy
and our consulates in Japan cannot assist in obtaining visas for Japan.
CHINA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport and visa are required to enter and
exit China and must be obtained from Chinese Embassies and Consulates before traveling
to China. Americans arriving without valid passports and the appropriate Chinese visa
are not permitted to enter and will be subject to a fine and immediate deportation at the
traveler's expense. Travelers should not rely on Chinese host organizations claiming to
be able to arrange a visa upon arrival. Chinese authorities have recently tightened their
visa issuance policy, in some cases requiring personal interviews of American citizens.
Although a bilateral United States-China agreement provides for issuance of multiple-
entry visas with validity of up to one year for tourists and business visitors, Chinese
consulates often limit visas to only one entry.
Americans who overstay or otherwise violate the terms of their Chinese visas will be
subject to a maximum fine of 5,000 RMB, departure delays and may be subject to
detention. Travelers should note that international flights departing China are routinely
overbooked, making reconfirmation of departure reservations and early airport check-in
essential. An airport user fee for both international and domestic flights is now included
in the cost of the ticket price. Americans are also required to have an exit visa to leave
China. Americans who lose a passport must take into consideration the time needed to
get a new passport and a new visa. Visa issuances can take as long as 7 business days.
THAILAND
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: U.S. citizen tourists staying for fewer than 30 days
do not require a visa, but must possess a passport and may be asked to show an
onward/return ticket. Persons entering Thailand by air or via the Thailand-Malaysia
border without a visa are allowed to stay in Thailand for 30 days per visit. Persons
entering Thailand by land (except for the Thailand-Malaysia border) without a visa are
allowed to stay in Thailand for 15 days per visit. The duration of stay in Thailand for
persons who enter Thailand without a visa cannot exceed 90 days during any six-month
period, counting from the date of first entry. After 90 days, travelers must apply for a
new visa at a Thai embassy outside of the country. Travelers must pay a Passenger
Service Charge in Thai baht when departing from any of Thailand’s international
airports. This charge is now included in airline ticket prices at Bangkok’s main airport,
Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Thailand’s entry/exit information is subject to change without notice. For further
information on Thailand’s entry/exit requirements, contact the Royal Thai Embassy,
1024 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20007, telephone (202) 944-3600, or
contact the Thai consulates in Chicago, Los Angeles, or New York City. Visit the
Embassy of Thailand web site at http://www.thaiembdc.org for the most current visa
information.
SOUTH KOREA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required. U.S. passport holders may
enter the Republic of Korea without a visa for a stay of up to 90 days for tourism or
business. When staying for more than 90 days or for any purpose other than tourism or
business, the U.S. passport holder must obtain a visa prior to entry. Americans visiting
Korea for employment or profit-making purposes, teaching English, or planning to stay
more than 90 days must obtain a visa at a Korean embassy or consulate abroad.
Generally, individuals staying in Korea for longer than 90 days must also apply for an
Alien Registration Card, once in Korea. Individuals who desire to stay longer than their
authorized period of stay must apply to Korean Immigration for an extension in advance
of the expiration of their authorized period of stay. Individuals who stay in Korea longer
than the period authorized by Korean Immigration without applying for an extension are
subject to fines and may be required to pay the fines before departing the country.
Changes of status from one type of visa to another (from tourism to teaching, for
example) are normally not granted in the Republic of Korea and must be obtained at a
Korean embassy or consulate in another country after departing Korea.
Exit permits are not required to leave Korea. However, if a parent requests through the
Korea Immigration Service that a travel restriction be placed on a child, the child is likely
to be prevented from departing Korea.
For the most current visa information, contact the Consular Section of the Embassy of the
Republic of Korea at 2320 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008,
telephone (202) 939-5660, or see the Korean Embassy website at
http://www.koreaembassyusa.org/. Republic of Korea consulates are also located in
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, San
Francisco, and Seattle. The Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a website
directory of all Korean diplomatic missions worldwide in Korean and in English at
http://www.mofat.go.kr/index.jsp.
RUSSIA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: The Russian government maintains a restrictive
and complicated visa regime for foreigners who visit, transit, or reside in the Russian
Federation. A U.S. citizen who does not comply with Russian visa laws can be subject to
arrest, fines, and/or deportation. Russian authorities will not allow a U.S. citizen traveler
with an expired visa to depart the country, effectively stranding the person for up to 20
days, until local authorities grant an exit visa.
The Government of Russia does not recognize the standing of the U.S. diplomatic
mission to intervene in visa matters, including situations in which an American is
stranded because of an expired visa. U.S. citizens should also be aware that Russian
immigration and visa laws change regularly, and the implementation of new regulations
has not always been transparent or predictable.
The Russian visa system includes a number of provisions that may be unfamiliar to
Americans, including:
Entry Visas: To enter Russia for any purpose, a U.S. citizen must possess a valid U.S.
passport and a bona fide visa issued by a Russian Embassy or Consulate. It is impossible
to obtain an entry visa upon arrival, so travelers must apply for their visas well in
advance. U.S. citizens who apply for Russian visas in third countries where they do not
have permission to stay more than 90 days may face considerable delays in visa
processing. Travelers who arrive in Russia without an entry visa will not be permitted to
enter the country, and face immediate return to the point of embarkation at their own
expense.
A Russian entry/exit visa has two dates written in the European style (day/month/year)
as opposed to the American style (month/day/year). The first date indicates the earliest
day a traveler may enter Russia; the second date indicates the date by which a traveler
must leave Russia. A Russian visa is only valid for those exact dates and cannot be
extended after the traveler has arrived in the country, except in the case of a medical
emergency.
Exit Visas: A valid visa is necessary to depart Russia. Travelers who overstay their
visa’s validity, even for one day, will be prevented from leaving until their sponsor
intervenes and requests a visa extension on their behalf. Russian authorities may take up
to 20 calendar days to authorize an exit visa, during which time the traveler will be
stranded in Russia at his or her own expense. The ability of the Embassy or Consulates
General to intervene in these situations is extremely limited.
Travelers who are departing Russia by train should be aware that if they board a train on
the last day of a visa’s validity, Russian immigration officials may consider the visa to
have expired if the train crosses the international border after midnight on the day of
expiry. The Embassy and Consulates General are aware of cases in which travelers have
been detained at border crossings, unable to leave Russia, because their visas were
expired by a matter of hours or minutes.
Visa Registration: Travelers who spend more than three days in Russia must register
their visa and migration card through their sponsor. Travelers staying in a hotel must
register their visa and migration card with their hotel within one day. Even travelers
who spend less than three days in one place are encouraged to register their visas. If a
traveler chooses not to register a stay of less than three days, he or she is advised to keep
copies of tickets, hotel bills, or itineraries in order to prove compliance with the law.
U.S. citizens should be aware that Russian police officers have the authority to stop
people and request their identity and travel documents at any time, and without cause.
Due to the possibility of random document checks by police, travelers should carry their
original passports, migration cards, and visas with them at all times.
International Cruise Ship Passengers: International cruise ship passengers are
permitted to visit Russian ports without a visa for a period of up to 72 hours. Passengers
who wish to go ashore during port calls may do so without visas provided that they are
with an organized tour at all times, accompanied by a tour operator who has been duly
licensed by Russian authorities. These special entry/exit requirements do not apply to
river boat cruise passengers and travelers coming to Russia on package tours. These
travelers will need to apply for visas prior to entry, and should follow the general
guidelines for entry/exit requirements.
Embassy of the Russian Federation: For additional information concerning travel to
Russia, U.S. citizens may contact the Embassy of the Russian Federation, Consular
Section, 2641 Tunlaw Rd. NW, Washington, DC 20007, tel. 202-939-8907. In addition,
there are Russian Consulates in:
Houston : 1333 West Loop South, Ste.1300, Houston, TX 77027, tel. 713-337-3300
New York : 9 East 91 St., New York, NY 10128, tel. 212-348-0926
San Francisco : 2790 Green St., San Francisco, CA 94123, tel. 415-928-6878 or 415-
202-9800
Seattle : 2323 Westin Building , 2001 6th Ave., Seattle, WA 98121, tel. 206-728-1910.
INDIA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: U.S. citizens require a valid passport and valid
Indian visa to enter and exit India for any purpose. Visitors, including those on official
U.S. Government business, must obtain visas at an Indian Embassy or Consulate abroad
prior to entering the country, as there are no provisions for visas upon arrival. Those
arriving without a valid passport and valid visa are subject to immediate deportation.
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India are unable to assist when U.S. citizens arrive
without proper documentation. Each visitor should carry photocopies of the bio-data
page of the traveler's U.S. passport and the page containing the Indian visa in order to
facilitate obtaining an exit visa from the Indian government in the event of theft or loss
of the passport.
Americans wishing to visit India are responsible for requesting the correct type of visa
from the Indian Embassy or Consulate, as there generally are no provisions for changing
one's immigration category (e.g., from tourist to work visa) once admitted. As of
October 1, 2007, the Indian Embassy and Consulates in the U.S. outsourced the visa
application process to Travisa Visa Outsourcing:
http://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com. Diplomatic and Official visa applications,
however, are still accepted directly at the Indian Embassy and Consulates. Foreign
citizens whose primary purpose of travel is to participate in religious activities should
obtain a missionary visa rather than a tourist visa. Indian immigration authorities have
deported American citizens who entered India with a tourist visa and conducted religious
activities.
General information regarding Indian visa and immigration rules, including the
addresses and telephone numbers for the FRRO offices, can be found at the Indian
Ministry of Home Affairs web site for its Bureau of Immigration at
http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in.
For the most current information on entry and exit requirements, please contact the
Embassy of India at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008,
telephone (202) 939-9806 (http://www.indianembassy.org) or the Indian Consulates in
Chicago (http://chicago.indianconsulate.com), New York (http://www.indiacgny.org),
San Francisco (http://www.cgisf.org) or Houston (http://www.cgihouston.org). Outside
the United States, inquiries should be made at the nearest Indian embassy or consulate.
COLUMBIA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All U.S. citizens who are not also Colombian
citizens must present a valid U.S. passport to enter and depart Colombia, and to return to
the United States. Dual U.S-Colombian citizens must present a Colombian passport to
enter and exit Colombia, and a U.S. passport to return to the United States. Be aware that
any person born in Colombia may be considered a Colombian citizen, even if never
documented as such. U.S. citizens born in Colombia or who otherwise have Colombian
citizenship will need both a Colombian passport and a U.S. passport for the trip.
1. U.S. citizens traveling to Colombia do not need a Colombian visa for a tourist
stay of 60 days or less. Travelers entering Colombia are sometimes asked to present
evidence of return or onward travel, usually in the form of a round-trip plane ticket.
Americans traveling overland must enter Colombia at an official border crossing.
Travelers arriving by bus should ensure, prior to boarding, that their bus will cross the
border at an official entry point. Entering Colombia at unauthorized crossings may result
in fines or incarceration. Travelers planning to enter Colombia over a land border should
carefully read our information on Traffic Safety and Road Conditions below.
The length of stay granted to travelers is determined by the Colombian immigration
officer at the point of entry and will be stamped in your passport. Extensions may be
requested by visiting an office of the Colombian immigration authority, known as the
Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad, or DAS, after arrival in Colombia. Fines are
levied if a traveler remains in Colombia longer than authorized, and the traveler cannot
leave Colombia until the fine is paid. Any traveler possessing a Colombian visa with
more than three months’ validity must register the visa at a DAS immigration office
within 15 days of arrival in Colombia or face fines. The DAS immigration office in
Bogota is located at Calle 100 and Carrera 11B.
For further, http://www.colombiaemb.org/ at 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC
20008; telephone (202) 387-8338; or the nearest Colombian consulate. Consulates are
located in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New
York, San Francisco, Tampa, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Information about /travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html
or the prevention of
/family/abduction/abduction_580.html
can be found on our web site. For further
information about customs regulations, please read our
/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1468.html sheet.
BOLIVIA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Effective December 1, 2007, U.S. citizens seeking
to enter Bolivia as tourists must have an entry visa. Travelers may make application for
Bolivian tourist visas by mail or in person at Bolivian consulates in the U.S., as well as at
Bolivian ports of entry, such as at Bolivia’s international airports and at land border
crossings. Bolivian tourist visas are valid for five years from the date of issuance and
allow the bearer to enter the country three times in a year for a cumulative stay of not
more than ninety days per year. The cost of the tourist visa is US$135.
1. A tourist applying for their visa at Bolivian consulates in the U.S. can pay the
US$135 fee in cash, by deposit to the Bolivian consulate’s bank account or by money
order and must submit the following: a Bolivian visa application form with a 4x4
centimeters color photograph, a passport with an expiration date of not less than six
months, evidence of a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation in Spanish, proof of
economic solvency (credit card, cash or a current bank statement), and an International
Vaccination Certificate for yellow fever.
Please http://www.bolivia-usa.org/
, under Servicios Consulares, for the most current visa
information.
U.S. citizens whose passports are lost or stolen in Bolivia must obtain a replacement
passport at the U.S. Embassy in La Paz or at the Consular Agencies in Cochabamba and
Santa Cruz. The new passport together with the original police report of the loss or theft
must be presented at a Bolivian government immigration office in order to obtain
permission to depart. For more http://bolivia.usembassy.gov/
.
Information about /travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html
or the prevention of
/family/abduction/abduction_580.html
can be found on our web site. For further
information about customs regulations, please read our
/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1468.html sheet.
PARAGUAY
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport and visa are required. U.S. citizens
traveling to Paraguay must submit completed visa applications in person or by secure
messenger to the Paraguayan Embassy or one of the consulates and pay a fee. Paraguay
issues visas for one-entry or multiple entries up to the validity of the U.S. passport.
Applicants under 18 years of age traveling alone must appear with both of their parents or
a legal guardian. In case of a guardian, an original and one copy of proof of legal
guardianship are required. A document of authorization from parents/guardian will be
accepted only if it is notarized and certified by the county clerk. Travelers entering or
departing Paraguay with regular U.S. passports will be fingerprinted. Some airlines
include the Paraguayan airport departure tax in the price of the airline ticket. It is
recommended that you check with the airline in order to determine whether or not the
departure tax has been included. If the tax is not included in the airline ticket then
payment would be required upon departure in either U.S. or local currency (no credit
cards or checks accepted). Visit the Embassy of Paraguay web site at
http://www.embaparusa.gov.py for the most current visa information.
ECUADOR
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A U.S. passport with remaining validity of at least
six months is required to enter Ecuador. A valid U.S. passport is required to depart
Ecuador. Tourists must also provide evidence of return or onward travel. U.S. citizens
traveling on regular passports for tourism or business do not need a visa for a stay of 90
days or less. Those planning a longer visit must obtain a visa in advance of arrival.
Travelers who stay in Ecuador beyond the allowed entry time are charged a substantial
fine and are barred from re-entering Ecuador for six months from the date of departure. A
valid U.S. passport is required to depart Ecuador. Payment of an airport exit tax is also
required when departing Ecuador.
Ecuador’s exit procedures mandate that minors (under the age of 18) who are citizens or
residents of Ecuador and who are traveling alone, with one parent, or with a third party,
must present a copy of their birth certificate and written authorization from the absent
parent(s) or legal guardian. When a parent is deceased, a notarized copy of the death
certificate is required in lieu of the written authorization. If documents are prepared in the
United States, the authorization and the birth certificate must be translated into Spanish,
notarized and authenticated by the Ecuadorian Embassy or an Ecuadorian Consulate in
the United States. It is not uncommon for local authorities to insist that these documents
be apostilled (authenticated). Documents must be apostilled by the same U.S. state that
issued the document. If the documents are prepared in Ecuador, only notarization by an
Ecuadorian notary is required. This paragraph does not apply to children who enter
Ecuador with U.S. passports as tourists, unless they hold dual U.S./Ecuadorian
citizenship.
URUGUAY
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All United States citizens entering Uruguay for
business or pleasure must have a valid passport. U.S. citizens traveling on a regular
passport do not need a visa for a visit of less than three months. U.S. citizens traveling on
diplomatic or official passports require a visa. Air travelers are required to pay an airport
tax upon departure. This fee may be paid in U.S. dollars or in Uruguayan pesos.
PANAMA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: U.S. citizens traveling by air to and from Panama
must present a valid passport when entering or re-entering the United States. Sea travelers
must have a valid U.S. passport (or other original proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a
certified U.S. birth certificate with a government-issued photo ID). American citizens can
visit travel.state.gov or call 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778) for information on
applying for a passport.
1. Panamanian law requires that travelers must either purchase a tourist card at the
airport in Panama before clearing customs, or obtain a multi-entry visa from a
Panamanian embassy or consulate before traveling to Panama. Further information may
be obtained from the Embassy of Panama, 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC
20009, tel. (202) 483-1407, or the Panamanian consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago,
Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San
Juan, San Diego, San Francisco or Tampa.
U.S. tourists are allowed to stay in Panama for 90 days. To stay longer, tourists must pay
$250.00 and apply for a “change of migratory status visa” through a Panamanian lawyer
before the expiration of the 90 days in country (See the http://www.migracion.gob.pa/ for
explanations of types of visas and requirements).
U.S. citizens transiting the Panama Canal as passengers who do not plan on disembarking
from the ship do not need to obtain visas, report to customs, or pay any fees. However, if
they do plan to disembark they need to obtain a tourist card from the cruise line or a visa
at a Panamanian embassy or consulate prior to traveling.
COSTA RICA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: For entry into Costa Rica, U.S. citizens must
present valid passports that will not expire for at least thirty days after arrival, and a
roundtrip/outbound ticket. Airlines should not permit passengers to board flights to Costa
Rica without a roundtrip ticket unless they have Costa Rican residency or visa. Passports
should be in good condition; Costa Rican immigration will deny entry if the passport is
damaged in any way. Costa Rican authorities generally permit U.S. citizens to stay up to
ninety days; to stay beyond the period granted, travelers must submit an application for
an extension to the Office of Temporary Permits in the Costa Rican Department of
Immigration. Tourist visas are usually not extended except under special circumstances,
and extension requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. There is a departure tax for
short-term visitors. Tourists who stay over ninety days may experience a delay at the
airport when departing, and persons who overstayed previously may be denied entry to
Costa Rica.
The most authoritative and up-to-date information on Costa Rican entry and exit
requirements may be obtained from the Consular Section of the Embassy of Costa Rica at
2114 “S” Street NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 234-2945/46 , fax (202)
265-4795. You may http://www.costarica-embassy.org/ or mailto:consulate@costarica-
embassy.org. You may also obtain information from the Costa Rican consulates in
Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico),
San Francisco, and Tampa. Please also see the http://www.migracion.go.cr/. It is
advisable to contact the Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington or one of Costa Rica's
consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements
before shipping any items.
NICARAGUA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid U.S. passport is required to enter
Nicaragua. Although there is a bilateral agreement that waives the six-month validity
passport requirement, U.S. citizens are urged to ensure that their passports are valid for
the length of their projected stay in the country before traveling. U.S. citizens must have
an onward or return ticket and evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves during
their stay. A visa is not required for U.S. citizens; however, a tourist card must be
purchased for $5 upon arrival. Tourist cards are typically issued for 30 to 90 days.
1. A valid entry stamp is required to exit Nicaragua. Pay attention to the authorized
stay that will be written into your entry stamp by the immigration inspector. Visitors
remaining more than the authorized time must obtain an extension from Nicaraguan
Immigration at http://www.migracion.gob.ni/
. Failure to do so will prevent departure
until a fine is paid.
Per Nicaraguan law, individuals should exit Nicaragua with the same passport with which
they entered the country.
According to Nicaragua’s Laws for Foreigners, foreigners must be in possession of a
valid identity document at all times while in Nicaragua and may be required to show it to
Nicaraguan authorities upon request. Acceptable identity documents are: (1) a permanent
residency card, (2) temporary residency card, or (3) valid passport or travel document
accompanied by an entry stamp.
In June 2006, Nicaragua entered a “Central America-4 (CA-4) Border Control
Agreement” with Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Under the terms of the
agreement, citizens of the four countries may travel freely across land borders from one
of the countries to any of the others without completing entry and exit formalities at
Immigration checkpoints. U.S. citizens and other eligible foreign nationals, who legally
enter any of the four countries, may similarly travel among the four without obtaining
additional visas or tourist entry permits for the other three countries. Immigration
officials at the first port of entry determine the length of stay, up to a maximum period of
90 days. Foreign tourists who wish to remain in the four-country region beyond the
period initially granted for their visit are required to request a one-time extension of stay
from local Immigration authorities in the country where the traveler is physically present,
or travel outside the CA-4 countries and reapply for admission to the region. Foreigners
“expelled” from any of the four countries are excluded from the entire “CA-4” region. In
isolated cases, the lack of clarity in the implementing details of the CA-4 Border Control
Agreement has caused temporary inconvenience to some travelers and has resulted in
others being fined more than one hundred dollars or detained in custody for 72 hours or
longer.
HONDURAS
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A U.S. passport valid for at least three months from
the date of entry is required to enter Honduras. Though not required by law, some
travelers have reported difficulty departing Honduras using a passport with less than three
months of validity beyond the date of departure. A visa is not required, but tourists must
provide evidence of return or onward travel. Parents should not rely on birth certificates
for their children’s travel; rather, prior to travel they should obtain U.S. passports for
infants and minors born in the United States. U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a
photocopy of their U.S. passports with them at all times, so that if questioned by local
officials proof of identity and U.S. citizenship are readily available.
1. In June 2006, Honduras entered a “Central America-4 (CA-4) Border Control
Agreement” with Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Under the terms of the
agreement, citizens of the four countries may travel freely across land borders from one
of the countries to any of the others without completing entry and exit formalities at
Immigration checkpoints. U.S. citizens and other eligible foreign nationals who legally
enter any of the four countries may similarly travel among the four without obtaining
additional visas or tourist entry permits for the other three countries. Immigration
officials at the first port of entry determine the length of stay, up to a maximum period of
90 days. Foreign tourists who wish to remain in the four country region beyond the
period initially granted for their visit are required to request a one-time extension of stay
from local immigration authorities in the country where the traveler is physically present,
or travel outside the CA-4 countries and reapply for admission to the region. Foreigners
“expelled” from any of the four countries are excluded from the entire “CA-4” region. In
isolated cases, the lack of clarity in the implementing details of the CA-4 Border Control
Agreement has caused temporary inconvenience to some travelers and has resulted in
others being fined more than one hundred dollars or detained in custody for 72 hours or
longer.
For more information concerning entry and exit requirements, travelers may contact the
Embassy of Honduras at 3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone
(202) 966-7702, or a Honduran consulate in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Miami, Los
Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, or San Francisco. The Honduran
government also retains an Honorary Consul in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Honduran
Embassy’s e-mail address is em[email protected]. Interested individuals may visit the
Honduran Embassy’s web site for additional contact information through
http://www.hondurasemb.org/. For tourist information or suggestions, please contact the
Honduras Institute of Tourism at 1-800-410-9608 (in the United States) or at 1-800-222-
TOUR (8687) (within Honduras only) or visit the web site at
http://www.hondurastips.honduras.com/.
EL SALVADOR
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: To enter the country, U.S. citizens must present a
current U.S. passport and either a Salvadoran visa or a one-entry tourist card. The tourist
card may be obtained from immigration officials for a ten-dollar fee upon arrival in
country. U.S. travelers who plan to remain in El Salvador for more than thirty days can
apply in advance for a multiple-entry visa, issued free of charge, from the Embassy of El
Salvador in Washington, DC or from a Salvadoran consulate in Boston, Chicago, Dallas,
Houston, Las Vegas, Long Island, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, or San
Francisco. Travelers may
contact the Embassy of El Salvador at 1400 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036, tel.
(202) 265-9671, 265-9672; fax (202) 232-3763; or http://www.elsalvador.org/. When
applying for a visa, travelers may be asked to present evidence of U.S. employment and
adequate finances for their visit at the time of visa application or upon arrival in El
Salvador. For passengers departing by air, El Salvador has an exit tax of $32.00 which is
usually included in the price of the airline ticket.
Travelers should be aware that El Salvador's entry requirements vary in accordance with
agreements the country has with foreign governments. Citizens of several countries in
addition to the United States may enter El Salvador with a current passport and either a
visa or tourist card. Citizens of many other countries, including many Latin American
and western European nations, may enter with only a current passport. However, citizens
of most nations are required to present both a current passport and a visa to enter El
Salvador. Non-U.S. citizen travelers are advised to contact a Salvadoran embassy or
consulate to determine the entry requirements applicable to them.
The U.S. Embassy in El Salvador reminds U.S. citizen travelers that their activities in El
Salvador are governed by Salvadoran law and the type of visa they are issued. Under
Salvadoran law, all foreigners who participate directly or indirectly in the internal
political affairs of the country (i.e. political rallies, protests) lose the right to remain in El
Salvador, regardless of visa status or residency in El Salvador. http://www.elsalvador.org/
for the most current visa information.
Information about /travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html
or the prevention of
/family/abduction/abduction_580.html can be found on our Consular Affairs web site.
For further information about customs regulations, please read our
/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1468.html
sheet.
GUATAMALA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid U.S. passport is required for all U.S.
citizens, regardless of age, to enter Guatemala and to depart Guatemala for return to the
U.S. Even if dual nationals are permitted to enter Guatemala on a second nationality
passport, U.S. citizens returning to the United States from Guatemala are not allowed to
board their flights without a valid U.S. passport. Certificates of Naturalization, birth
certificates, driver's licenses, and photocopies are not accepted by Guatemalan authorities
as alternative travel documents. While in Guatemala, U.S. citizens should carry their
passports, or a photocopy of their passports, with them at all times.
A U.S. citizen whose passport is lost or stolen in Guatemala must obtain a new passport
at the U.S. Embassy as soon as possible and present it, together with a police report on
the loss or theft, to the Dirección de Migración (Guatemalan immigration agency), Sub-
director de Control Migratorio (Sub-director for Migratory Control), in order to obtain
permission to depart Guatemala. The agency is located in Guatemala City at 6a Avenida
3-11, Zone 4, Guatemala City. Office hours are weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.;
telephone 2411-2411. No fee is charged by Guatemalan immigration for this service.
BELIZE
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS : All U.S. citizens must have a U.S. passport valid
for the duration of their visit to Belize. U.S. citizens do not need visas for tourist visits of
up to thirty days, but they must have onward or return air tickets and proof of sufficient
funds to maintain themselves while in Belize. Visitors for purposes other than tourism, or
who wish to stay longer than 30 days, must obtain visas from the government of Belize.
All tourists and non-Belizean nationalities are required to pay an exit fee of U.S. $35
(payable in U.S. dollars only) when leaving Belize. Additional information on entry and
customs requirements may be obtained from the Embassy of Belize at 2535
Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, Tel. (202) 332-9636 or at their web
site:
http://www.embassyofbelize.org.
PERU
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required to enter and depart
Peru. Tourists must also provide evidence of return or onward travel. U.S. citizens may
enter Peru for short-term tourist- or business-related visits of up to 90 days; however, the
actual period authorized is determined by the Peruvian immigration officer at the time of
entry into Peru. After admission, travelers may apply to extend their visa for an additional
three months. Persons who remain beyond their period of authorized stay without
obtaining a visa extension or a residence visa will have to pay a fine to depart Peru.
Visitors for other than tourist or short-term business visit purposes must obtain a
Peruvian visa in advance.
An international flight airport fee, payable in U.S. or local currency and assessed on a
per-person basis, must be paid when departing Peru. There are also separate airport taxes
for domestic flights charged at most domestic airports that must be paid before
embarking. U.S. citizens whose passports are lost or stolen in Peru must obtain a new
passport from the U.S. Embassy and present it, together with a police report on the loss or
theft, to the main immigration office in downtown Lima, located at Prolongacion Espana
734, Brena, to obtain permission to depart. An additional immigration office is located
within Lima’s Jorge Chavez International Airport international departure terminal. For
further information regarding entry requirements, travelers should contact the Peruvian
Embassy at 1700 Massachusetts AvenueNW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202)
833-9860; http://www.peruvianembassy.us.
Information about /travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html or the prevention of
/family/abduction/abduction_580.html can be found on our web site. For further
information about customs regulations, please read our
/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1468.html sheet.
VENEZUELA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport and a visa or tourist card are
required. Tourist cards are issued on flights from the U.S. to Venezuela for persons
staying less than ninety days. Persons traveling for reasons other than tourism, however,
should consult the Venezuelan Embassy or nearest Venezuelan consulate regarding
possible visa requirements for their specific purpose of travel. Venezuelan immigration
authorities may require that U.S. passports have at least six months validity remaining
from the date of arrival in Venezuela. Some U.S. citizens have been turned back to the
United States if their passports will expire in less than six months. Passports should also
be in good condition, as some U.S. citizens have been delayed or detained overnight for
having otherwise valid passports in poor condition. .
For current information concerning entry, tax, and customs requirements for Venezuela,
travelers may contact the Venezuelan Embassy at 1099 30th Street, NW, Washington DC
20007, tel.: (202) 342-2214, or visit the Embassy of Venezuela web site at
http://www.embavenez-us.org/. Travelers may also contact the Venezuelan consulates in
New York, Miami, Chicago, New Orleans, Boston, San Francisco, or San Juan.
Additional information about vaccination requirements for travel to Venezuela, as well as
to other international destinations, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747);
fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via CDC's web site at
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx
.
Information about /travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html or the prevention of
/family/abduction/abduction_580.html can be found on our web site. For further
information about customs regulations, please read our
/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1468.html
sheet
AUSTRALIA
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: American citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport to
enter Australia. Americans must enter with an Australian visa or, if eligible, through Electronic
Travel Authority (ETA). The ETA replaces a visa and allows a stay of up to three months. It may
be obtained for a small service fee. Airlines and many travel agents in the United States are also
able to apply for ETAs on behalf of travelers. Please note that American citizens who overstay
their ETA or visa, even for short periods, may be subject to exclusion, detention, and
removal. More information about the ETA, other visas, and entry requirements may be obtained
from the Embassy of Australia at 1601 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036,
telephone (202) 797-3000, or via the Australian Embassy home page
. Visa inquires may be
directed to the Australian Visa Information Service at 888-990-8888.
The Character Test
A person will fail the character test if:
-They have a substantial criminal record
-They have, or have had, an association with an individual, group or organization
suspected of having been, or being, involved in criminal conduct
-Having regard to the person’s past and present criminal conduct, the person is found no
to be of good character
-There is a significant risk that the person will engage in criminal conduct in Australia,
harass, molest, intimidate or stalk another person in Australia, vilify a segment of the
Australian community, or incite discord in the Australian community of in a segment of
that community, or represent a danger to the Australian community or a segment of that
community
A person is deemed to have a substantial criminal record if they have been:
-Sentenced to either death or life imprisonment
-Sentenced to a term of imprisonment for 12 months or more
-Sentenced to two or more terms of imprisonment (whether on one or more occasions),
where the total of those terms is two years or more
-Acquitted of an offense on the grounds of either unsoundness of mind or insanity and, as
a result, the person has been detained in a facility or an institution
