Which countries require a visa?
There is no single list of visa countries. Whether you need a visa depends on your passport, your destination, your length of stay and your purpose of travel.
Updated
Why the answer depends on your passport
Two people on the same flight can face different rules. British citizens can currently enter mainland China visa free for short visits, while US citizens generally need a visa arranged before they travel.
Length of stay and purpose matter just as much. A destination that waves you through for a two week holiday will usually require a visa for a six month stay, paid work, study or journalism.
The four rules you will meet
- Visa required in advance: you apply at an embassy, consulate or visa centre before you travel, usually with supporting documents.
- E-visa: you apply online and receive an electronic approval linked to your passport, often limited to named airports or land borders.
- Visa on arrival: you get the visa at the border, though you may still need photos, a return ticket or proof of where you are staying.
- Visa free or travel authorisation: you enter without a visa, sometimes after a quick online authorisation such as an ESTA or an ETA.
Destinations that usually need paperwork first
Some well known destinations expect nearly every visitor to arrange something before arriving. Treat this as a starting point rather than the final word.
| Destination | What most visitors arrange in advance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| India | Visa or e-visa | Applies to almost all nationalities, and e-visas limit which ports you can use |
| Russia | Visa | Applied for through a Russian consulate before travel |
| Saudi Arabia | E-visa or electronic travel authorisation | Some nationalities can also get a visa on arrival |
| Cuba | Tourist card or tourist visa | Required for tourism even where entry is otherwise simple |
| Mainland China | Visa | Some nationalities have temporary visa-free or transit arrangements |
Nationality exceptions exist for almost every country on that list, and temporary arrangements come and go. Never assume a rule you read last year still holds.
How to check your own case
- Start with the destination's immigration department or foreign ministry website, because that is who sets the rules.
- Cross-check your own government's travel advice, such as travel.state.gov for US citizens or gov.uk for British nationals.
- Confirm the passport validity, blank pages and onward ticket rules at the same time, since those refusals happen at the airport.
Many visa applications ask for proof of accommodation. A hotel booking with free cancellation on trip1, payable in Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDC or any of 120+ cryptocurrencies through CoinGate, gives you a confirmation to attach without locking in the trip.
No visa or authorisation guarantees entry. The border officer decides and sets your permitted stay, so confirm the current rules with the official government source before you travel.
Which countries require a visa - FAQ
US citizens need a visa arranged in advance for mainland China and Russia, and an e-visa for India, Vietnam, Brazil and Cuba. Australia, New Zealand and the UK require an online travel authorisation rather than a full visa. Other passports get different answers: British citizens, for example, can visit mainland China visa free for up to 30 days.
No, not for short trips. US citizens can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period in Schengen countries without a visa, and are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System at the border. The UK, outside Schengen, requires a GBP 20 ETA. The EU's ETIAS authorisation is not running yet and is scheduled for the last quarter of 2026.
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries, including the UK, Ireland, most EU countries, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, can visit the US for up to 90 days with an approved ESTA instead of a visa. Canadian citizens generally need no visa for visits. Most other travellers need a US visitor visa applied for in advance.
Start with the destination's own immigration department or foreign ministry website, because that is who sets the rules. Then cross-check your own government's travel advice, such as travel.state.gov for US citizens or gov.uk for British nationals. Check passport validity, blank pages and onward ticket rules at the same time, since those cause refusals at the airport.
Yes. Many countries allow a short visa-free visit but require a visa once you pass a set number of days, and the purpose of your trip matters too. A destination that lets you in for a two-week holiday will usually require a visa for a six-month stay, paid work, study or journalism.