Travel Options For Americans: Open Border Countries

As of 2024, US passport holders can travel to 186 countries and territories without a visa or with a visa on arrival, according to the Henley Passport Index. This makes the US passport the sixth most powerful in the world. However, there are still some countries that impose stringent entry restrictions on US citizens. For example, the US government forbids its citizens from entering North Korea, while other countries such as Iran, Russia, and Turkmenistan have stringent visa requirements that can make it difficult for Americans to obtain entry.

Visa requirements for US citizens in China

As of 2024, US citizens can travel to 186 countries and territories without a visa or with a visa on arrival. However, if you are planning to travel to China, you will need to obtain a visa in advance. Here are the visa requirements for US citizens travelling to China:

• Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in China, and it should have at least two blank pages.
• Visa Application: You will need to apply for a Chinese visa before your arrival. The type of visa will depend on the purpose of your visit (tourism, business, study, work, etc.).
• Supporting Documents: The required documents may vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for. In general, you may need to provide proof of residence, invitation letters, proof of relationship (for family visits), and previous Chinese passports or naturalization certificates (for former Chinese citizens).
• Processing Time and Fees: The processing time for a Chinese visa can vary, but it is typically around 3-4 business days. The fees also differ based on the type of visa and your specific situation.
• Visa Validity: Visas for US citizens can be valid for up to ten years for tourist visas and multiple entries.
• Registration: Upon arrival in China, you must register your stay within 24 hours. This can be done with hotel staff or the local police station.
• Visa Extensions: If you need to extend your stay in China, you must apply for a visa extension from the local Entry-Exit Bureau before your current visa expires.
• Exit Visa: To exit China, you must have a valid visa, and you must leave before the expiration of the duration of your stay. Overstaying your visa can result in detention, fines, and deportation.
• Travel Restrictions: Certain areas of China, such as the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), require special permits for entry. US citizens should also be aware of travel warnings and increased caution in specific regions, such as Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions (SARs).

Travel restrictions for US citizens in North Korea

As of 2024, US citizens can travel to 186 countries and territories without a visa or with a visa on arrival. However, there are strict travel restrictions in place for US citizens travelling to North Korea.

The US Department of State has issued a Level 4 advisory for North Korea, which means that US citizens should not travel there due to the serious and mounting risk of arrest and long-term detention. US passports are not valid for travel to North Korea unless they have been specially validated by the Department of State, which is only granted in very limited circumstances. The US government is unable to provide emergency services to US citizens in North Korea, as it does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the country. Sweden acts as the protecting power for the United States in North Korea, providing limited emergency services.

If you receive special validation to travel to North Korea, the US Department of State recommends that you:

• Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney
• Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets, funeral wishes, etc.
• Enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter
• Visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations and review the Traveler's Checklist

If you enter North Korea without a special validation, the Department of State can revoke your passport for misuse and you may be subject to felony prosecution for passport misuse.

US citizens are subject to North Korean laws while in North Korea. If you violate North Korean laws, even unwittingly, you may be held in isolation without charges, interrogated without counsel, compelled to draft public confessions, or sent to a labour camp for years.

North Korean authorities impose unduly harsh sentences for actions that in the US would not be considered crimes. Criminal acts unique to North Korea include:

• Showing disrespect (both physically and verbally) to the country's former leaders, Kim Il Sung or Kim Jong Il, or the country's current leader, Kim Jong Un
• Possessing material, printed or digital, that is critical of or hostile to North Korea
• Proselytizing or carrying out religious activities
• Engaging in unsanctioned political activities
• Unauthorized interacting with North Koreans
• Taking unauthorized photographs
• Travelling without authorization, even for short distances
• Exchanging currency with an unauthorized vendor
• Shopping at stores not designated for foreigners
• Bringing pornography into the country

All electronic and multimedia devices, including phones, tablets, and laptops, are subject to search for banned content. Personal possessions in hotel rooms may also be searched. If you bring a mobile phone into the country, it will not function unless you use the North Korean mobile service, which will allow authorities to monitor your calls. GPS trackers and satellite phones are not allowed.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) and/or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) due to risks to civil aviation operating within or in the vicinity of North Korea.

Visa requirements for US citizens in Iran

As of 2024, holders of a United States passport may travel to 186 countries and territories without a travel visa or with a visa on arrival. However, there are some countries that have imposed administrative entry restrictions on US citizens.

US citizens wishing to travel to Iran need to be aware of the following:

• You are not eligible for a visa on arrival.
• The visa process can be time-consuming and may take up to 60-90 days to obtain a visa before departure.
• You will need to provide additional supporting documentation when applying for your visa.
• Any time spent in Iran outside of the duration of the tour must be facilitated by the local host, and travellers must be accompanied by the assigned trip leader.
• Iranian visas are issued after a two-step process:
• Complete and submit an application online for the authorisation code.
• An authorisation code for the visa must be issued by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Please note that the visa requirements for Iran may change, and it is always best to check the latest information before planning your travel.

Visa requirements for US citizens in Turkmenistan

As of 2024, US passport holders can travel to 186 countries and territories without a travel visa or with a visa on arrival. However, specific requirements must be met when travelling to Turkmenistan as a US citizen.

Firstly, it is important to note that Turkmenistan has a fairly strict visa policy, and all US citizens must obtain a visa and an invitation letter prior to travel, except for certain holders of diplomatic or service passports. This process can be lengthy, and tour bookings can often be expensive.

To obtain a visa, US citizens must submit the following documents:

• A completed Visa Application Form (3 copies)
• A travel programme
• A copy of their passport and ID
• A cover letter, describing the reason for their trip
• A recent passport-sized photo
• A letter of permission for travel, obtained by their sponsor

The requirements for different types of visas (business, work, personal, family, and student) vary and may include additional documents such as proof of qualifications, health certificates, and proof of the sponsor's right of residence in Turkmenistan.

US citizens can apply for a visa at an Embassy or Consulate, but they must first obtain a Letter of Invitation (LOI) from the Turkmen State Migration Service. This process can take up to 20 working days. The LOI is the most crucial part of the visa application.

Upon receiving the LOI, US citizens can proceed to apply for a visa at the nearest Turkmen Embassy or Consulate. Alternatively, they can obtain a Visa on Arrival at the Ashgabat International Airport or land borders by presenting their passport, the LOI, and other required documents. However, obtaining a visa beforehand is always advisable, as there is no guarantee that Immigration Services will issue a visa on arrival.

The fees for Turkmenistan visas vary depending on the type and duration of the visa. For example, a 10-day single-entry visa costs USD 20, while a one-month multiple-entry visa costs USD 60.

It is important to register your stay at the Migration Police (OVIR) upon entering Turkmenistan and to comply with all visa requirements to avoid fines, arrest, or deportation.

Travel restrictions for US citizens in Cuba

US citizens can travel to Cuba, but there are some important restrictions to be aware of.

Firstly, US citizens must have a specific reason for travelling to Cuba. Tourism is not a valid reason, and US citizens must declare one of 12 approved categories of travel when booking their trip. The majority of travellers fall under the 'Support for the Cuban People' category, which requires travellers to spend their money with local, non-government-owned businesses.

Secondly, US citizens must be aware of financial and banking restrictions. US debit and credit cards do not work in Cuba, so travellers must bring enough cash to cover their trip. US dollars can be converted into Cuban pesos, but it is not recommended to do this at the airport.

Thirdly, there are restrictions on where US citizens can stay in Cuba. They are prohibited from staying in hotels that are owned entirely or partially by the Cuban government. However, there are many privately-owned boutique hotels and private rentals, known as 'casas particulares', where US citizens are allowed to stay.

Other restrictions include:

• A ban on bringing drones, walkie-talkies, satellite phones, and GPS devices into Cuba
• A ban on importing rum or cigars from Cuba
• A requirement to have a comprehensive travel insurance policy to enter the country
• A requirement to fill out an online D'Viajeros form before travelling

Frequently asked questions