Travel Requirements: When Is A Visa Needed?

A visa is an official document that allows the holder to enter a foreign country. While some countries have visa agreements that allow citizens to travel freely between them without a visa, others require a visa for entry. The type of visa needed depends on the purpose of travel and the duration of stay. For instance, a work visa is required for individuals who plan to work in the host country, while a travel visa allows the holder to enter a foreign country for tourism and leisure purposes only. The requirements for obtaining a visa vary by country, but generally include a valid passport, proof of funds, proof of travel plans, and other supporting documents.

When is a visa required for travel to China?

A visa is required for all non-Chinese visitors travelling to mainland China. However, there are several exceptions and visa-free policies that travellers may benefit from, depending on their nationality, port of entry, duration of stay, and purpose of visit.

Visa Requirements for Mainland China

All visitors to mainland China must have a passport that will remain valid for at least six months following the date of entry, as well as blank pages for visas and stamping. Visitors will be denied entry if they do not possess a valid travel document or attempt to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa-Exempt Travellers

The following travellers do not require a visa to enter mainland China:

• Foreign citizens transiting through China for less than 24 hours at any international port of entry.
• Citizens of 54 countries, including the US, UK, and Australia, can benefit from a 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy when travelling to a third country through certain ports of entry in 23 cities across 18 Chinese provinces.
• Ordinary passport holders from 59 countries, including the US, UK, and Australia, can enter Hainan province visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, or family visits.
• Holders of a valid APEC Business Travel Card can enter China multiple times for business trips of up to 60 days.
• Holders of a Permanent Residence Card or Residence Permit for Foreigners issued by the People's Republic of China.
• Citizens of countries that have signed bilateral visa exemption agreements with China, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United Arab Emirates, and Antigua and Barbuda.

Visa Requirements for Hong Kong and Macau

Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan maintain independent border control policies, and ordinary Chinese visas are not valid for these regions. Travellers must apply for separate visas if required.

Work Visas

Working in China is not permitted on a student or tourist visa and may result in detention, criminal charges, imprisonment, fines, and deportation. To work in China, a work visa (Z visa) and a valid work permit are required. The local police regularly carry out checks on companies and schools, and violations of Chinese immigration laws can result in serious penalties, including exit bans and exclusion orders.

When is a visa required for travel to Russia?

A visa is required for all foreign nationals wishing to enter the Russian Federation. The visa must be obtained in advance from a Russian diplomatic mission or visa centre, and cannot be obtained upon arrival. Russian authorities strictly enforce all visa and immigration laws, and failure to comply can result in arrest, fines, deportation, or a ban from re-entering the country.

Visa Types

There are seven basic types of Russian visas: Commercial, Tourist, Student, Guest, Diplomatic, Transit, and visas for entry into the Russian Federation for the purpose of requesting asylum. The type of visa required depends on the purpose of the visit.

Visa Requirements

To enter Russia, a foreign national must possess a valid passport and a bona fide visa issued by a Russian Embassy or Consulate. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the visa expires, and must have blank pages for entry and exit stamps.

Visa Length

The length of time a foreign national can stay in Russia depends on the type of visa they hold. Tourist visas are often granted for a short period, sometimes as little as four days. For other visa types, the length of stay permitted ranges from one month to three years.

Visa Exemptions

Citizens of certain countries are exempt from visa requirements and can enter Russia without a visa for a specified period. These countries include Antigua and Barbuda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the United Arab Emirates.

E-Visas

Russia also offers e-Visas, which are single-entry visas valid for 60 days from the date of issue. The permitted period of stay in Russia on an e-Visa is up to 16 days. E-Visas can be applied for through the specialised website of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Dual Citizens

Dual citizens who hold Russian passports face additional regulations. Russian authorities will not permit those with an expired Russian passport to depart from Russia, even if they also hold a valid passport from another country. In such cases, a new Russian passport must be obtained, which can take several months.

Other Considerations

When travelling to Russia, it is important to be aware of other requirements and restrictions, such as registration with local authorities for stays longer than seven working days, and restrictions on bringing certain items into and out of the country. It is also important to note that the UK, US, and other countries have issued travel advisories warning against all travel to Russia due to safety concerns.

When is a visa required for US citizens travelling abroad?

US citizens need to obtain a visa issued by the destination country when travelling abroad, unless they are travelling to a country that does not require a visa for American travellers. US citizens can check their destination country's visa requirements using the US State Department's 'Learn About Your Destination' search tool. This tool also provides entry and exit requirements, travel advisories, and a link to the country's embassy.

As of 2024, US passport holders can travel to 186 countries and territories without a visa or with a visa on arrival. However, each country has its own visa requirements and restrictions, and US citizens should research these before planning their trip. For example, some countries may require proof of sufficient funds, return tickets, accommodation bookings, vaccination certificates, or even fingerprints.

In addition, US citizens should be aware of any non-visa restrictions imposed by the destination country, such as passport validity, blank passport pages, and criminal records. It is important to carefully review the entry, exit, and visa requirements for the specific country before travelling internationally to ensure a smooth journey.

When is a visa required for travel to India?

India requires a visa for travel unless visitors are from one of the visa-exempt countries. Nationals of certain countries may obtain a visa on arrival or an e-visa online, while others must obtain a visa from an Indian diplomatic mission.

Who does not need a visa to enter India?

Nationals of the following two countries do not need visas or passports to enter India and may live and work in India without any limit on their stay:

• Overseas citizens of India
• Persons of Indian origin

Foreign nationals possessing either a valid Overseas Citizen of India card or a Persons of Indian Origin Card are exempt from visa requirements and may live and work in India without any limit of stay.

Since March 1979, nationals of the Maldives do not need a visa to enter India for a maximum stay of 90 days.

Who can obtain a visa on arrival?

Nationals of the following countries holding ordinary passports may apply for a visa on arrival (VOA) at certain airports:

United Arab Emirates

The visa on arrival is issued to visitors for business, tourism, medical or conference purposes, for a stay of up to 60 days, at a cost of ₹2,000.

Who can obtain an e-visa?

Nationals of the following countries holding ordinary passports may apply for an electronic visa (e-visa) online:

• All ASEAN member states
• All European Union member states
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Arab Emirates

E-visas are issued for several categories, validity periods, and fees, which also vary for some nationalities.

Who must obtain a visa from an Indian diplomatic mission?

Anyone who does not fall into the above categories must obtain a visa from an Indian diplomatic mission.

When is a visa required for travel to Turkey?

As of 23 December 2023, citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain no longer need a visa to enter Turkey. This means that US citizens can enter Turkey without a visa for stays under 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism or business purposes.

However, it is important to note that this visa exemption only applies to ordinary passport holders. Official passport holders are required to have a visa to enter Turkey. Additionally, if you plan to stay in Turkey for more than 90 days, you must obtain a short-term residence permit before the end of your stay.

For US citizens, it is recommended that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry into Turkey. Your passport must also have at least one blank page for entry and exit stamps.

It is also worth noting that there are specific requirements and restrictions for other nationalities, such as those from the European Union, the Schengen Area, and other countries. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check the latest entry requirements and visa regulations before travelling to Turkey.

Frequently asked questions