Who Needs a Visa Instead of a Passport When Traveling?

If you are a U.S. citizen traveling outside of the U.S., you need a passport. Depending on what country you are going to, you might also need a visa.

No Visa Required

If you are traveling to countries in North America, such as Mexico and Canada, and Western Europe, such as Poland, Greece, Germany, France, Spain and Italy, you do not need a visa. Some other countries, such as Japan and Argentina, also do not require visas. However, if you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a visa.

Types of Visas

There a variety of visas, including tourist, business, student and work visas that you might need to apply for when entering a foreign country.

Applying for Visas

For some countries, such as China, you will need to apply for and obtain the visa before you leave. You can obtain the visa at a country's embassy or consulate.

Securing Visas at Destinations

In countries like Jordan and Turkey, you do not need to obtain a visa before you enter the country. Rather, a visa can be purchased for a fee at the port of entry.

Other Precautions

Before you travel outside of the U.S., make sure to double check any safety or medical restrictions for your destination.

References

• U.S. State Department