Visa Requirements

I wanted to share some information about visa and health requirements as this is really very important when considering where you want to visit as well as the routings you wish to take. This is especially important in today’s travels.

Always remember that some countries require that you show a confirmed ticket to leave their country. Leaving is not always by air so bear that in mind as well. Your non-revenue ticket may not be enough. For the most part your non-revenue ticket is fine though at least once you have your visa.

Corn Vendor in Taipei, Taiwan

One thing too is to remember that sometimes it takes weeks to get a visa and you have to send your passport away in order to get it done. Plus it can be very pricey.
Some countries have reciprocal fees that you must pay before you leave your country of origin or on arrival.

Travel Authorizations

Some countries require what’s called a travel authorization; an ETA. These must be requested before leaving your country of origin. Here are two countries that require this document.

Australia ETA

Before you get on that plane for Australia, it is necessary that you apply for an electronic travel authority, an ETA. You can do this online and also pay the fee online. This accomplished by downloading the App. The visa is valid for one year.

 
Click here for more details on how to apply for the Australia ETA.

United Kingdom ETA

Effective for travel to the U.K. on or after January 8, 2025, an ETA is required. This video has all the details you need:

European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

This is an electronic system that allows visa-exempt travelers to enter the European Union (EU) and the Schengen Area. If you’re a citizens of a country outside the EU not requiring a visa for short visit, you need an ETIAS.

This includes travelers from the U.S., Canada, Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

ETIAS have been postponed a few times in the past and is noe expected to launch in mid-2025.The travel authorization is valid for three years or until the travel document used in the application expires, whichever comes first.

As this is for the Shengen countries, the authorization is valid stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

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Countries Requiring Visas

Visa For Brazil

Effective April 10, 2025, Brazil will start requiring a visa once more.

Check the U.S. State Department Website.

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Visa For People’s Republic of China

Mainland China requires a visa for entry and that must be procured before departure but now you can get one for 10 years. Despite the 72-hours no visa required rule, as a non-revenue traveler, the airline may require that you have a confirmed ticket to leave the country in 72-hours of your arrival, so your non-revenue ticket may not work. Hence you will need a visa.

Check the U.S. State Department Website.

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Visa For Hong Kong

Hong Kong which is a SAR of China has no visa requirement for U.S. citizens for stays under 90 days,
Check the U.S. State Department Website.

Visa For Shenzhen

To visit Shenzhen though, you can get your visa at the border with Hong Kong. Similar to Macau where you do a visa on arrival as well. So just check your rules before you are ready to travel. For international travel, it’s not just all about getting that ticket and jetting off.

Visa On Arrival

Tanzania

Some countries like Tanzania is visa on arrival and you must have cash in the currency of your passport country to pay for it. They’ve recently added an online option to get your visa before you go.

Check the U.S. State Department Website.

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Nepal

Others like Nepal will require that you have a passport photo taken if you don’t already have one when you arrive and get your visa on arrival.

Check the U.S. State Department Website.

I say this to tell you to be prepared when you are thinking of your routings.

Countries You Can Visit Without A Visa

I’ve written an article about At Least 138 Countries you can visit without a visa using your U.S. passport to help you figure out the visa requirements for places to visit. This is U.S.-centric. If you are from other countries, just check the website for the consulate of the country you wish to visit for the rules or if you have access to Timatic or Timatic Web, you can check there as well. Just check with the airline with whom you are traveling. Here are some examples:

• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• KLM
• United Airlines

Plus IATA has a program here.

What is Global Entry?

Also, consider joining the Global Entry program as it will save you time when making connections as U.S. ports of entry. I’d literally miss tight connections without being a member of this service. Plus it also gets you into the TSA PreCheck program. Countries such as Australia, Canada, Mexico, The Netherlands have similar systems.

Fruits and Vegetables at the Colombo, Sri Lanka Market

Summary

So remember do your research before you travel as it concerns health and visa requirements. What have you found in your travels? Please leave a comment below and let me know what you’ve found.