US Passport Visa-Free Countries 2023

This article contains information on US passport visa-free countries in 2023. We’ll explore where US citizens and residents can travel visa-free, as well as the true strength of US passports in terms of mobility.

Keep in mind that entering and traveling to visa-free countries for US citizens does not require a specific kind of approval. In this article, we’ll provide an up-to-date list of visa-free countries to which US passport holders can confidently travel.

This page also goes over the countries US residents can visit with a visa on arrival or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

Where can US passport holders travel visa-free in 2023?

According to the Global Citizen Solutions Global Passport Index, the US passport has the second strongest passport in 2023 for its travel, investor, and relocation advantages. The Global Citizen Solutions Global Passport Index is a new way to uncover a passport’s attractiveness, using mobility as an indicator, while also incorporating investment opportunities and quality of life factors. According to the results of this research, the US has the second most powerful passport in the world when taking into account the three individual indicators: Enhanced Mobility Index (17th place), Investment Index (3rd place), and the Quality of Life Index (39th place).

The balance of performing well in each category pushes the USA to the second position. In the first place is Germany. Passport visa-free countries with travel benefits for US citizens comprise 173 countries or territories. Note that after staying longer, some of them impose tougher requirements, usually lasting 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Additionally, US citizens traveling for business or study may be required to get a business or student visa.

You can see more about the USA Passport on our US country page here.

With a US passport, you are able to travel to many countries and territories worldwide, including the United Kingdom, Japan, and Singapore.

In addition, due to Europe’s top prominence as a vacation destination, US citizens do not require a tourist visa to visit any of the 27 EU countries. Other countries in Europe, such as the United Kingdom, Andorra, Serbia, Montenegro, Iceland, and others, are free to enter as well.

What does visa-free mean?

Visa-free refers to the travel arrangement between countries wherein citizens of one country can enter another country for a specified period without the need to obtain a visa in advance. It allows individuals to visit a foreign country for tourism, business, or other purposes without the bureaucratic process of obtaining a visa.

It’s important to note that visa-free travel does not mean unrestricted entry. Travelers are still required to comply with the immigration rules and regulations of the destination country, including providing necessary identification documents, proving the purpose of the visit, and meeting other entry requirements such as proof of sufficient funds, return tickets, or travel insurance. In some cases, it may be necessary to fill out a travel authorization before traveling, such as the eTA in Canada or an electronic visa (e-Visa).

Where can US travelers go without a visa?

As noted before, the US passport is one of the strongest passports in the world, when it comes to mobility, ranking in 17th position. Here is the visa-free countries list for American citizens in 2023:

Check out our article, Permanent Residency Mexico: Your Ultimate Guide.

Countries Where US Passport Holders Are Required an E-Visa

In addition to the US passport visa-free countries list, there are some further visa requirements for US citizens, such as permits from the US or the foreign government, Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), and electronic visas (e-Visas).

Additionally, there are several locations where US travelers can obtain a visa upon arrival. The regulation requires that travelers get a stamp on their passports once they enter these foreign customs and borders. The duration of such a visa is determined by how long the person intends to stay. It also includes each country’s rules and regulations.

We’ve put together a list of countries and territories where travelers will need documentation like an ETA or e-Visa:

Visa Requirements for US Citizens

Even though the number of visa-free countries that US citizens can travel to is large, there are some countries that require US passport holders to secure a visa before leaving the United States. Among them, there are such countries as China, and Russia. This is why travelers must always check whether their future destination requires them to obtain a visa or not. It is better to be well-prepared than to end up accidentally stuck at the airport.

The procedure for getting a visa will depend on the regulations and rules of each country. It can sometimes be difficult, particularly if there is a strained relationship between the country you wish to travel to and the United States.

Below there is a list of countries and territories where US citizens must obtain a visa. What countries do not accept US passports? The only destination where it is forbidden for US citizens to travel to is North Korea due to its closed border status for both US citizens and citizens of other countries.

Passport Validity

Countries will have different policies when it comes to passport eligibility. And even though the requirements to travel to one of the countries listed above is only to have a valid passport, you may meet some additional requirements as well.

Your passport should be valid for at least:

• Six more months after you arrive: This is the case for Afghanistan, Algeria, Anguilla, Bahrain, Bhutan, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Côte D’Ivoire, Curacao, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Gabon, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Myanmar, Namibia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Somaliland, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.
• Four months: Micronesia and Zambia.
• Three months: All EU countries (except Ireland, the UK, and Denmark), Albania, Belarus, Georgia, Honduras, Iceland, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lichtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Nauru, Panama, Saint Barthelemy, San Marino, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates.
• 45 days: Bermuda.
• One month: Hong Kong, Eritrea, New Zealand, South Africa, and Macau.

Demand for Biometrics and Vaccination

Let’s not forget about the COVID-19 situation and keep in mind that some countries still ask for proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test on arrival. This rule will vary from country to country, as some don’t ask for specific documents anymore. Additionally, these requirements are constantly changing, depending on the current COVID-19 situation, so it is best to check the requirements of the country while planning your trip. 

Depending on where you are traveling to, showing a CDC vaccination card may not be sufficient. You may need to take additional steps to set the vaccine passport up before traveling. This is due to certain countries demanding all visitors to present their proof of vaccination. Some of them do not accept all types of existing vaccinations, so travelers need to check them beforehand. For this, The International Certificate of Vaccination is used to determine the sorts of vaccines.

US citizens may meet such conditions in the following destinations: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Côte D’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zambia.

Proof of vaccination is common nowadays to enter a certain country. However, there is nothing to worry about for those coming from the United States since all US vaccines are approved.

Look for information

After you’ve decided where you want to go, booked your trip, and discovered if you require a visa, search for the most up-to-date country information.

Connect with others who have visited the region before and ask them questions on social networks. The idea is to get as much information as possible about your destination. What is the present situation there? What is the location of the US embassy in the event of an emergency?

Additionally, you can participate in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive travel and safety information from the US government, and they will send you specifics on your trip. In an emergency, they can also contact you.

Provide the documents needed

Before your journey, make sure you have all of the proper documentation for border officials to enable you to enter the country and return home.

Whether traveling within your own country or venturing abroad, you’ll need valid identification. You can leave your voter registration card at home, although you should bring the following forms of identification:

• Your child’s passport and visa (if you’re going to a place where a visa is required);
• If you have plans to drive in another country, remember to bring your driver’s license;
• In case you are traveling with a minor who is not your child, you will need parental guardianship documentation or permission to travel;
• Any doctor’s prescription to acquire your medicine while you’re on the road.

Making numerous copies of travel documents and credit cards is one step that should be taken. When traveling, keep one copy separate from the original. Another duplicate should be kept at home or with someone you can trust. Additionally, leave a copy of your itinerary and emergency contact information at the department, as well as another copy with others you trust. Please contact the US embassy in your area if your travel documents are lost or stolen.

Consider having insurance

For most people, this is a must-have if they travel. There are numerous tourist insurance policies and options available, but most of them cover emergency medical treatment, trip cancellation, evacuation, and lost baggage issues.

When you travel, you risk putting yourself in danger of disease and other accidents. Travel insurance is important for every seasoned traveler. Purchase one that includes both health and property coverage. From compensation for lost luggage to emergency evacuations, there are constant instances of travelers catching staph, malaria, parasites, or other maladies. Travel insurance is a tool that can save you a lot of money if something awful happens while you’re far away from home.

After reviewing local information and essential documentation, consider the type of insurance that is best for you before going. There are dozens of companies and services that provide various sorts of insurance, including:

1. Health insurance for all forms of medical issues. In some cases, you can get insurance for traveling companions, family members, or friends visiting the country with you. This includes basic health insurance that covers things like fevers and visits to the hospital. Even more sophisticated medical crises are covered by supplemental insurance.
2. In the case of a crisis in the region you’re visiting, be sure to have emergency evacuation insurance.
3. The airline or agency where you purchased the ticket will provide you with travel insurance for your itinerary.

There’s no need to dwell on potential issues; instead, stay aware of the surroundings and make small efforts to secure yourself. Thus, it will go a long way in discovering new places and enjoying your adventures abroad.

Traveling to Europe from the USA

While Europeans dream of traveling across North America’s 50 states, Americans are just as interested in visiting Europe. What EU countries allow US passport holders visa-free travel? The following countries in Europe are accessible to American citizens without the need for a short-term Schengen visa:

An EU Visa to visit Europe

A citizen of the United States who has a valid passport can visit any of the European Member States for up to 90 days. This means that for short-term international travel and business trips, there is no need to apply for or obtain a Schengen visa.

Regarding US residents of other nationalities, the situation has changed somewhat. Non-Americans living in the United States may or may not be required to obtain a visa. It depends on their nationality when they plan to travel to Europe:

• Residents of the United States who are citizens of countries with whom the EU has established a visa waiver policy do not need to seek a visa to enter Europe.
• The US residents of countries without a visa waiver policy agreement with the European Union must apply for a Schengen Visa in the United States to visit these countries.

Please keep in mind that citizens of the United States planning a trip to Europe will have to apply for a visa waiver through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) shortly. This is a new European travel authorization that will be implemented from 1 November 2024. ETIAS will permit short-term stays in all Schengen nations for a set amount of time. This is one of Europe’s recent measures to tighten security to avoid immigration issues and terrorism.

By 1 November 2024, all Americans traveling to 27 countries of the European Schengen Area will be required to have ETIAS. It also applies to non-EU countries: Lichtenstein, Iceland, Switzerland, and Norway.

Documents to prepare

Even though US citizens are allowed visa-free travel to Schengen, there are still certain documents they will need to bring. These documents include the following: 

1. A United States passport valid for at least three more months past the expiration date of leaving the Schengen Area.
2. Proof of sufficient financial means, that proves that the tourist from the United States has enough money for the duration of their stay in Europe.
3. Entry reasons evidence. This is a document explaining the reason for traveling to the Schengen Area.

In the case of getting rejected at the EU border, a traveler has to go back to the US and fill out an application for a basic Schengen Visa.

Traveling to the UK from the USA

Tourists and business travelers from the United States do not require a visa to visit the United Kingdom. A valid US passport is required for a maximum stay of up to 6 months.

If you are a US citizen, it is not required to obtain a visa to visit the United Kingdom. Green card holders, on the other hand, may need to apply for a UK visa while in the US, as visa-free access is determined by nationality.

To reach visa-free countries, US green card holders must follow these procedures to apply for a UK visa in the United States:

1. Find out if you require a visa to enter the United Kingdom
2. Fill out the online visa application form for the UK

To begin applying for a visa in the United Kingdom, the online application form must be completed. After submitting accurate and truthful information, you must pay the visa application fee. Your application will be rejected if the information on the application form does not match the information in the other needed documents.

• Schedule an appointment to provide biometric data

After that, you must schedule a biometric testing appointment at one of the more than 130 Application Support Centers (ASCs) located across the United States. You must give a digital image and a digital scan of all 10 of your fingers during this session. After biometric submission, the quickest time to submit your visa application and all other documents are 1 or 1,5 days. The latest is two weeks.

• Attend the visa interview

Once you have gathered all the required documents, mail them to a registered travel agent, or submit them to the British Consulate General in New York. Organize your application, passport, and other documents in a checklist and put them in an envelope; no stapling is necessary.

At the interview, applicants must bring their passports, a print of the application form, and a copy of the biometric information receipt.

Frequently Asked Questions About US Passport Visa-Free Countries

What Is The US Passport Ranking?

According to the  Global Passport Index, the US passport took the 2nd position in 2023 for its potential, including three individual indicators: Enhanced Mobility Index (17th place), Investment Index (3rd place), and the Quality of Life Index (39th place).

Do I need a US passport to travel overseas?

Yes, you need your passport to travel overseas. Passports are required for exiting and entering the United States, as well as all other countries. When traveling abroad, everyone must have identification for proper safety.

How many countries a US citizen can visit without a visa?

The US is one of the most powerful passports in the world, giving access to 173 countries visa-free. For example, the list of US passport visa-free countries in Europe includes all 27 nations of the Schengen area, plus the UK.

What countries do not accept the US passport?

The US passport is recognized by all countries in the world, and while the majority of nations accept US passports for entry, there are a few exceptions and limitations. Some countries that have restrictions on US passport holders are North Korea, Iran, Syria, Yemen, and Libya. It is difficult for US citizens to be granted a visa to travel to these countries.

How strong is the US passport?

The US occupies the second position in the Global Citizen Solutions passport ranking.

Can US citizens travel to Europe without a visa?

US citizens are allowed visa-free travel to the European countries within the Schengen Area, which includes popular destinations like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and many others.

This visa-free access is granted under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows US citizens to travel to participating countries for short-term visits (usually under 90 days) without obtaining a visa in advance. However, note that this applies to the Schengen Area and European Union specifically; not all European countries are part of these agreements.

Is USA to UK visa-free?

US citizens can enter the UK for tourism or business purposes without the need to apply for a visa, as long as their stay does not exceed six months. However, for any other purposes or longer stays, US citizens must apply for the relevant visas.

Do US citizens need a visa for Paris?

No. US passport holders have visa-free access to France for up to 90 days a year.

America passport holders have access to 173 visa-free countries worldwide, meaning they can enter without a visa, with visa on arrival or, in some cases, by filling out an electronic visa or electronic travel authorization. Due to the visa waiver policy agreed between the US and the European Union, US citizens can travel visa-free to all the 27 countries in the Schengen area.

Do US citizens need a visa to Dubai?

No. US passport holders can enter the United Arab Emirates and stay visa-free for up to 30 days.

Do Americans need a visa for Canada?

US citizens can enter Canada as temporary visitors under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). US passport holders must present a valid US passport at the Canadian border and will usually be granted entry for up to six months.

However, there may be additional requirements depending on the nature and duration of the visit. For example, if you plan to work, study, or stay in Canada longer, you may need to apply for the appropriate visa or permit.