Vacation season is upon us. If you’re planning on traveling outside of the United States, there are a couple things you’ll want to do before booking your trip. First, you’re going to want to check when your passport expires - many countries require your passport to be valid for an additional 180 days after your planned departure date for entry. Second, you're going to want to check if the country you’re traveling to requires a visa. If you’re planning a trip and aren’t sure if you’re going to need a tourist visa, then read on.

What You Should Know About Visas

While applying for a visa can add a frustrating extra step to the process, there are plenty of countries that have no visa requirement for American citizens. In fact, there are well over 100 countries that Americans with passports can travel to, visa-free.

With just a valid American passport, you can travel to most countries in Europe, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, as well as many other popular tourist destinations. No visa required. If you’re looking to travel to China, Russia, India, Turkey, Vietnam, or a few other countries though, you’ll need to apply for a tourist visa.

But, it’s important to remember that visa-free travel doesn’t give American passport holders free reign to travel wherever they want for however long they want. The amount of time you can stay in a country without a visa differs from country to country. If you’re planning an extended stay somewhere, you’ll need to check local immigration and customs rules before planning your trip to make sure your relaxing vacation plans aren’t ruined.

Which Popular Tourist Countries Can You Travel To Without A Visa

So, what are a few of the most popular travel destinations that don’t require a tourist visa to visit? Let’s take a look.

Aruba

If relaxing in a tropical paradise is your kind of vacation, you might be wondering if you need a visa to travel to Aruba. Lucky for you, as long as you have a valid passport, you can travel to Aruba visa-free for up to 30 days. No one would blame you if you wanted to stay longer than that, but if you do, you’ll need to apply for a visa.

France

Maybe you want to walk the streets of Paris at night looking for inspiration, or visit the vineyards of the Champagne region. If spending time in France is your idea of a vacation, then you can spend up to 90 days there without needing a visa. Beginning in 2023 though, you will need to procure an ETIAS visa waiver online before your departure. This waiver costs less than $10, with approval usually given within 96 hours. The ETIAS visa waiver will be required for all countries within Europe’s Schengen Area starting in 2023.

Japan

Immerse yourself in the rich culture of Japan. Visit jewels like Tokyo and Kyoto, and explore this vibrant country for up to 60 days without a tourist visa. It’s a treasure of the East, with thousands of years of history to explore.

Mexico

You can stay fairly close to home and still get the benefits of exploring a different culture. Traveling to Mexico means you don’t even have to leave the continent. And you can explore the Aztec ruins and enjoy all of the Mexican food you desire for up to 180 days without needing a visa.

The Bahamas

Another Caribbean country makes this list. Which isn’t a surprise given how much of a tourist hotspot the area is. You can enjoy the sandy beaches and crystal clear waters of The Bahamas for a whopping 240 days without a visa. And no one would blame you if you did.

Is the country you’re planning to travel to not one of the ones listed above? Do you need to know if a visa is required for your trip? Don’t worry. Take a look at our Visa Quick Check page to find out if the country you’re planning to visit requires a tourist visa.

And if the country you’re planning to visit does require a visa for entry, let CIBTvisas help you get yours quickly, safely, and securely. With over 50 years of experience, you can be assured CIBTvisas can take care of all of your travel documentation needs. Contact us today to start the process of obtaining your visa.