In most cases — no, you don’t need a visa, even if the layover is in a third country where you would need a visa to travel to. However, there are a few exceptions, as well as a few things you should know about transiting in a third country.
Full Answer
What countries do you need a visa?
You may require a visa if you have been in Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia, or Yemen ...
Which countries require visa for Americans?
Countries that U.S. passport holders need visas to enter include Russia, India, China, Vietnam, Turkey, and more, and others require e-visas to visit. If you want to see where you can travel ...
What documents are required for US visa?
US Visa Requirements
- Form DS-160. If you are applying for a US nonimmigrant visa you should complete the online application form DS-160.
- Previous USA visas. ...
- Invitation letter. ...
- Travel itinerary. ...
- Sponsorship documents. ...
- Property Documents. ...
- Family Documents. ...
- Letter from a physician. ...
What are the requirements for a visa?
- A passport or travel document valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of your intended visit
- Your passport must have at least TWO unused page for entry / departure endorsements
- A completed Form BI-84 (application for a visa)
- Payment of the prescribed fee
- A yellow-fever vaccination certificate (if required)
Do I need a visas?
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler's passport, a travel document issued by the traveler's country of citizenship.
Where do I need a visa to travel?
Visa requirementsCountryVisa requirementAllowed stayCubaTravel restricted30 daysCyprusVisa not required90 daysCzech RepublicVisa not required90 daysDenmarkVisa not required90 days78 more rows
Do you need a visa to travel or just a passport?
A passport is required in most cases when you enter a foreign country. A visa is not required when there is a visa facilitation agreement between two countries. A passport is usually valid for 5 to 10 years. A visa is usually valid for a few days to a few months.
What countries do you not need a visa for?
Where Can Americans Travel Without a Visa?AlbaniaGermanyNamibiaAmerican SamoaGibraltarNetherlandsAndorraGreeceNew ZealandAnguillaGreenlandNicaraguaAntigua and BarbudaGrenadaNorthern Mariana Islands42 more rows
What are the 4 types of visas?
Which type of visa do you need? Probably one of the four main types: tourist, immigration, student, or work.
How much does it cost to get a visa?
The application fee for the most common nonimmigrant visa types is US$160. This includes tourist, business, student, and exchange visas. Most petition-based visas, such as work and religious visas, are US$190.
Why do you need a visa if you have a passport?
What is a Visa? The main difference between a visa and a passport is that a visa is an endorsement placed within a passport that grants the holder official permission to enter, leave or stay in a country for a specified time period. The most common visa types are tourist, student, work and transit visas.
Where do U.S. citizens need a visa to travel?
Popular Destinations Which Require Visas for US CitizensBrazil. Brazil visas must be obtained well in advance of departure from a Brazilian Consulate. ... China. Our friends at G3 Global Services tell us that they process more visas for China than for any other country. ... India. ... Indonesia. ... Kenya. ... Myanmar. ... Russia.
Which passport is the strongest in the world?
JapanJapan has the world's most powerful passport - providing hassle-free entry to 193 countries. Just one country short, Singapore and South Korea are tied in second place, according to the latest Henley Passport Index from Henley & Partners, an immigration consultancy.
Do I need a visa to travel to Europe 2022?
Currently, passport holders from visa-exempt countries can enter Europe and travel around the Schengen Area for free. Visitors do not need to apply for any authorisation. From November 2023, however, the European Union will launch ETIAS for visa-free visitors.
How many countries are visa-free for U.S. citizens?
As of October 1, 2021, US citizens can travel visa-free to 185 countries and territories (though a few require a visa on arrival).
How do I get a visa?
Steps to Apply for a US VisaCheck if you need a visa.Choose the type of US visa you will apply for.Fill in the Non-immigrant visa Application Form DS-160.Pay your application fee.Schedule visa interview.Compile the document file.Attend the visa interview.Wait for processing.
What country US citizen need visa?
Countries that U.S. passport holders need visas to enter include Russia, India, China, Vietnam, Turkey, and more, and others require e-visas to visit. If you want to see where you can travel without a visa, start by visiting the Henley & Partners Passport Index and selecting the country that your passport is from.
Do U.S. citizens need visa for Europe?
American citizens are currently granted entry into Europe without a visa. For this reason, they do not need to check visa requirements. This only applies to short-term trips, so if US nationals decide to move to Europe permanently, they need to obtain the relevant visa first.
Do I need a visa for UAE?
Visitors to the United Arab Emirates must obtain a visa prior to travel unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or one of the countries whose citizens are eligible for visa on arrival. Citizens of member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council have freedom of movement in the UAE.
Do I need a visa to go to Mexico?
Everyone who is travelling to Mexico for tourism, visit, business or other short-term purposes (up to 180 days) needs to get Mexico Tourist Card, even if they don't need a Mexico Tourist Visa. You can get a Tourist Card at a Mexican point of entry upon arrival or you can get it online before you travel.
Which countries allow visa free travel?
Three additional countries – Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands – also have a unique agreement with the United States allowing visa-free travel. Citizens of Canada and Bermuda can freely travel (temporarily) to the United States without requiring a non-immigrant visa or ESTA.
Can Canadians travel to the US without a passport?
Canadian Citizens: Canadians can enter and stay in the United States visa-free. Some Canadians do not even require a passport. If you’re part of the NEXUS program or have an Enhanced Driver’s License, then you may be able to enter America without a passport. SENTRI enrollment cards and FAST cards can also be used in lieu of a passport (if entering by land or sea). Canadians can remain in the United States for up to six months.
Can you get an ESTA if you have a criminal record?
If you have a criminal record or if there is any other reason to deny your entry to the United States, then your ESTA may be rejected. In other cases, your ESTA may be approved today, only for you to get rejected at the port of entry into America. Getting an ESTA does not guarantee entry into the United States.
Do you need a visa to visit Bermuda?
Citizens of Canada, Bermuda, Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau Do Not Need a Visa or ESTA. There are two countries in the world that do not require a visa or ESTA to visit the United States: Canada and Bermuda.
What is a U.S. Visa?
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.
Find out what visa type is appropriate for you
The type of visa you must obtain is defined by U.S. immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel.
Visa Appointment Wait Time
A wait time listed as "999 calendar days" indicates that the Consular Section is only providing that service to emergency cases. Please check the Embassy or Consulate website for further information.
How long can you stay at the airport?
In most cases you can stay at the airport for up to 24 hours. This means that your layover can’t be longer than that. Otherwise you may need a transit visa.
Do you need a visa for a self transfer flight?
If it’s a self transfer flight, however, you will have to go through passport control at every airport you’ll be transiting through, and you may need a visa for that . You have to find out entry requirements of every country you’ll be stopping at.
Do you need a visa for a connecting flight?
If it’s a connecting flight booked as a single flight, mostly you won’t need a visa for a transit. The easiest way to understand that you have this kind of flight is if you made only one booking directly from an airline, and it included two or more flights. When booking from travel agents or via flight booking sites, it’s important to double check if it’s a connecting flight or not.
Do you need a visa to travel to a country?
Most countries that normally require that you have a visa, do not require the visa if you are a transit passenger, someone who is only transiting through the airport. As you don’t go through immigration, and you don’t enter the country, hence no visa is needed.
Do you need a visa for Schengen?
The nationals of some countries need an Airport Transit Schengen Visa when passing through the international transit area of any Schengen country airport. Make sure to check the rules before you book a flight.
Do you have to change airports for self transfer?
You may have to change an airport if you have a self-transfer flight — if you’ve booked several consecutive flights to get to your final destination. In these situations it’s important to know that you’ll be entering your transit country, hence you'll need to apply for a visa (if that’s necessary for you to enter this particular country).
What is a visa for a foreigner?
A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States. If you are allowed to enter the United States, the CBP official will provide an admission stamp or a paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. Learn more about admissions and entry requirements, restrictions about bringing food, agricultural products, and other restricted/prohibited goods, and more by reviewing the CBP website.
How long does a passport need to be valid for a visa interview?
Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview: Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements ).
How often do you update your biographical information on a Chinese passport?
In accordance with the agreement signed between the United States and China to extend visa validity, beginning on November 29, 2016, Chinese citizens with 10-year B1, B2 or B1/B2 visas in Peoples’ Republic of China passports will be required to update their biographical and other information from their visa application via a website every two years, or upon getting a new passport or B1, B2, or B1/B2 visa, whichever occurs first. This mechanism is called EVUS - Electronic Visa Update System.
What happens after a visa interview?
After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further administrative processing. The consular officer will inform you if this required.
Where to schedule a visa interview?
You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of the country where you live.
What evidence is needed to show the purpose of a trip?
Evidence of your employment and/or your family ties may be sufficient to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to return to your home country. If you cannot cover all the costs for your trip, you may show evidence that another person will cover some or all costs for your trip.
Can a visa be voided?
Under U.S. law, visas of individuals who are out of status are automatically voided ( Section 222 (g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ). Any multiple entry visa that was voided due to being out of status will not be valid for future entries into the United States.
Visa Requirements in Norway
Whether or not you need a visa to visit Norway depends On the purpose of your trip as well as your citizenship.
Norwegian Visitors Visa
As mentioned, citizens of Schengen area countries and countries Norway has agreements with can travel visa-free to Norway for up to 90 days.
Norwegian visa application (and how mich it costs)
Once you have all the documentation gathered, you can continue by filling out an online application and paying the application fee.
Is it hard to det a Norwegian travel visa?
When processing your application, one of the most important factors determining if you will be granted a visa is the likelihood that you will return to your home country once your visa expires.
Can you work in Norway with a tourist Visa?
No, you cannot work in Norway if you visit on a tourist visa. In order to be able to work in Norway, you will need to apply for a residence permit.
Sources
Persons who do not need a visa to visit Norway – The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI)
Who doesn't need a short stay visa?
Who Doesn’t Need a Short-Stay Germany Visa? Germany, as a member state of the Schengen Area, permits the nationals of 62 countries part of the visa-waiver program to enter its territory without the need to obtain a visa first. According to Germany short-stay entry rules, the residents of 62 countries are permitted to enter Germany visa-free ...
How long is an ETIAS valid for?
ETIAS will cost 7 euros, and will be valid for three to ten years, or until the expiration of its holder’s passport. The procedures to obtain one will be very simple, and the application process is estimated to last around 10 to 20 minutes.
Do I need a short stay visa to visit Germany?
If you are planning to go there for a short-stay, for tourism / visiting or business, then the chances that you do not need a Germany short-stay visa are higher.
Is a citizen of the EU a citizen of the EEA?
You are also a citizen of the EU/EEA/EFTA countries
Do I need a visa to go to Germany from US?
Some of the US residents, depending on their status in the US and the purpose of their entry in Germany, as well as some other factors, may be obliged to obtain a visa first before entering the country. These categories are as following:
What happens if you get a visa approved for Fiji?
If your visa is approved, you will get an approval letter, or the visa will be endorsed on the passport in cases where the passport has been submitted to Fiji Immigration.
Where can I get a visa for a visitor to Fiji?
Visitors visa application form (these can be downloaded from the Fiji Immigration website or obtained from an immigration office of the Fiji Embassy)
How long does it take to get a visa for Fiji?
Once the Fiji Department of Immigration receives your visa application it takes about three working days to process the application. The application process will take longer if the application is incomplete or if further evidence is required.
How long is a MEV visa valid for?
Multiple Entry Visa (MEV) – the visa is valid for 12 months and allows the holder to enter Fiji multiple times as long as the duration of stay for each entry is not more than four months. The application fee is FJ$180.
Where can I apply for a visa for Fiji?
This can be applied for at Fiji High Commission and Embassy offices or lodged at one of the Immigration offices based in Fiji via faxing or by post. You will find the postal addresses on the Fiji Immigration website.
Do I need a passport to fly to Fiji?
Yes, you do need a passport for visiting Fiji. You will be required to show your passport both before boarding your flight to Fiji and on arrival in Fiji.
Do I Need a Visa to Visit Fiji?
If you are from one of the 100+ countries that we list below, you do not need to have a visa to visit Fiji.
