7 Destinations Where US Citizens Have to Obtain a Visa Before Arrival
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A few years ago one of my friends made a costly mistake on his way to Myanmar. He booked a ticket, packed his bags, and planned out a two-week itinerary. He reserved hotels, purchased three intra-country flights, and watered his plants before heading to the airport. After an 18-hour flight from Seattle to Thailand, he got in line to go through immigration before the final leg of his trip to Yangon.
When he approached the front of the line, he noticed multiple signs indicating a visa was required for entry. This was the first time he’d read anything about needing a visa to enter Myanmar. This didn’t matter to the customs agents, who advised him to leave the airport and visit the US consulate in Bangkok to apply for the correct paperwork.
Unfortunately, as you may know, immigration rules aren’t flexible. So if you’re in this situation you could be out $1,000s if you booked non-refundable travel and have to pay for last minute accommodations. And you’ll have little recourse for getting your money back, even the best credit card travel insurance benefits usually won’t cover you in this circumstance.

Last year, I realized I had accumulated enough reward points with my Platinum Card® from American Express for two round-trip tickets from Denver to Myanmar!
In planning out this trip, obtaining a visa was at the top of my to-do list. Although applying for a visa might not seem as glamorous as searching for the perfect hidden beach in Vietnam, you’ll need to go through this step to actually get there.
What You’ll Want to Understand About the Visa Process
Although there is a long list of countries US citizens can travel to without additional documentation, sometimes showing up at the airport with your passport isn’t enough. Many countries require a visa for entry, and it’s important to understand a few of the basics of this process. There are three common scenarios when it comes to obtaining a visa.
Some countries will allow you to obtain a visa upon arrival. This means you’ll be able to get your visa at the airport when you arrive at your destination. Sometimes you’ll pay a fee for your visa. I had to buy a visa at the airport when I landed in Istanbul a few years ago. It was a very straightforward process and didn’t take much time to complete.
Other countries require you to obtain a visa in advance, but they make it easy by offering an e-visa (electronic visa) option. An e-visa can be obtained online, typically through a government website. You’ll submit the required information, often you’ll pay a fee, and then print a copy of the e-visa after it’s emailed to you. Carry this print out in your passport as proof of your visa.
The last group of countries require a visa prior to arrival and don’t offer the e-visa option. You can still get a visa, but it might take a little longer and require a bit more work. It’s especially important to read the requirements and understand the process of obtaining a visa for these countries so you don’t run into any issues when you’ve landed at the airport.
Remember, your passport alone isn’t always a golden ticket to unlimited travel access. And unless you don’t mind taking a few days out of your trip to hang out in line at the Embassy, it’s a good idea to do the research and be prepared!
US Citizens Must Obtain a Visa in Advance to Enter These 7 Countries
Keep in mind this is not an exhaustive list, and regulations change frequently enough that it’s important to check the US State Department website and the specific Embassy of the country you’re traveling to for updates before you plan your next trip. Additionally, while there are many different types of visas (working, business, holiday, etc.) this article will focus solely on tourist visas for each country.
1. Myanmar

It’s also important to note that the validity of the visa is only good for 90 days after it’s issued. So plan accordingly! Don’t apply for your visa too early, otherwise, it might expire by the time you arrive.
Cost: The express tourist e-visa costs $56 and the regular tourist e-visa costs $50. How to apply: To apply for this visa, go to the official Myanmar government website and start the process. You’ll need to fill out a form, submit payment, then check your email for the e-visa. Print out the paperwork for the visa and place it in your passport so it’s easily accessible. Your visa will be stamped on arrival. Remember it’s important to select the correct port of entry with your application. You might be denied entry to the country if you try to enter through a different port than is indicated on your visa. When you exit the country, you can depart from any port.2. Vietnam

2. Brazil

Fill out this application. Then, you’ll pay the e-visa fee. You should see an email with your e-visa (attached as a PDF document) within 10 days. Once you receive your electronic visa, you must print it out and have it ready to show with your passport upon entry.
3. India

5. Bhutan

6. Russia

Several friends who have traveled to Russia confirmed this process was indeed very detailed and that a small error on your application could easily lead to your visa being denied. When you’re in the country, it’s also important to keep your paperwork on you at all times, as it’s common for tourists to be stopped by a government official who requests to see your passport and visa.
7. China

Other Countries Where You’ll Need Visa Before Arriving
While only 7 countries were highlighted in this post, there are many more that require a visa before arrival. Some countries allow an e-visa, and others do not. Be sure to do your research when planning a trip to any of these countries which all currently require a visa prior to arrival as some don’t offer and e-visa option:
- Afghanistan
- Angola
- Azerbaijan
- Chad
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Eritrea
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Iran
- Iraq
- Libera
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Saudi Arabia
- Sierra Leone
- Sudan
- Syria
- Venezuela
- Yemen
What type of experiences have you encountered when attempting to schedule a visa before your departure? Was it easy or frustrating?
Did you ever find yourself in a tough spot without a visa upon arrival? Please share your experiences with me in the comments section below!
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