Foreign Entry Requirements: Taiwan to Virgin Islands

Taiwan

U.S. passport holders will be allowed to enter Taiwan without a visa for up to thirty days (no extensions allowed) if they have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Taiwan and they have a confirmed return or onward air ticket.  Travelers must have already met any additional visa requirements for the next destination, if applicable.  If the passport is valid for less than six months from the date of entry into Taiwan, travelers may apply for a landing visa that has a duration of stay of no more than thirty days. The processing fee is NT $4,900 (currently equivalent to approximately US $162.00; U.S. currency is not accepted) and no extensions are allowed.  Travelers also have the additional option of applying for and receiving a Taiwan visa prior to arrival in Taiwan.  The processing fee is US$100.00.

PLEASE NOTE:  No extension of stay or change of status is allowed if the traveler enters on the visa waiver program (30 day stay, no extensions).  Travelers arriving in Taiwan with a valid passport and valid Taiwan visas may be admitted for up to 90 days even if their passports are valid for less than 6 months.  Travelers who apply for a landing visa upon arrival will be admitted for 30 days or up to the day the passport expires, whichever comes first.  For specific information about entry requirements, travelers may contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), 4201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC  20016-2137, via either its main telephone number, (202) 895-1800, or its visa section telephone number, (202) 895-1814.  The main fax number at TECRO is (202) 363-0999, and the visa section fax number is (202) 895-0017.  TECO (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office) also has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Seattle.

See Tajikistan Entry Requirements

A passport and Tanzania visa are required for travel to Tanzania.  U.S. citizens with valid passports may obtain a Tanzania visa either before arriving in Tanzania or at any port of entry staffed by immigration officials.  The current fee for a visa has recently risen to $100 for a 12-month multiple-entry tourist visa to reciprocate the fee the United States charges visa applicants.  This could rise again as the U.S. application fee rises.  Some border posts and embassies may have technical difficulty in producing the 12-month visa.  They may make hand-written annotations on the computer printed visa.  U.S. passports should be valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date the visa is obtained, whether it is acquired beforehand or at the port of entry.  Also, foreigners are required to show their passports when entering or exiting Zanzibar.

The web site of the Embassy of Tanzania in Washington, DC states that yellow fever vaccination is required only for persons from, or those who have visited yellow fever endemic countries. 
Tanzanian law is very strict on visa categories.  A recurring problem encountered by Americans is that volunteer activity – even if the traveler is paying for the volunteer opportunity – is prohibited on a tourist visa.  Americans who are traveling to Tanzania for short or long term volunteer projects should review their status with the sponsoring organization before entering the country.

Travelers are reminded to safeguard their U.S. passports while in Tanzania.  Passport loss can lead to delays in departing the country and can cause disruption of travel.  Tanzanian authorities require that travelers who are not in possession of the visa and entry stamps obtained upon admission to Tanzania visit the immigration office prior to departure to regularize their status.  Persons attempting to depart the country without proper documentation may be subject to fines or delays in departure.  Visit the Embassy of Tanzania’s web site at http://www.tanzaniaembassy-us.org for the most current visa information.

See Thailand entry requirements

A passport valid for six months beyond the intended date of departure from Timor-Leste is required.  Tourist visas are not required prior to arrival, but travelers arriving in Timor-Leste without a visa will need to pay a $30 fee for a 30-day tourist visa. There is an additional fee for each 30-day renewal of this visa.  Visitors traveling via air must transit Singapore; Darwin, Australia; or Bali, Indonesia en route to Timor-Leste.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Timor-Leste.

A passport and Togo visa are required.  Travelers are encouraged to obtain visas prior to arrival due to recent difficulties in obtaining them at the airport in Lomé or at some of the land borders.  Visas issued in Togo are limited to 7 days and can take an hour or more to be issued.  Travelers applying for visa extensions can also experience significant delays.  Vaccination against yellow fever is also required before entry.  U.S. citizens should carry copies of their U.S. passports and vaccination records with them at all times while traveling in Togo so that, if questioned by local officials, they have proof of identity, U.S. citizenship, and required vaccinations readily available.

Travelers may obtain additional information from the Embassy of the Republic of Togo, 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC  20008; telephone (202) 234-4212.  Overseas, inquiries should be made at the nearest Togolese embassy or consulate.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Togo.

A passport and an onward/return ticket are required. Tonga visas are not required for stays of up to 30 days. Tonga collects a departure tax. For further information about entry requirements, travelers, particularly those planning to enter by sea, may wish to contact the Consulate General of Tonga at 360 Post Street, Suite 604, San Francisco, California 94108; telephone 415-781-0365.  The Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Toga.

A valid passport is required of U.S. citizens for entry to Trinidad and Tobago.  U.S. citizens do not need a Trinidad & Tobago visa for tourism or business-related visits of 90 days or less.  Work permits are required for compensated and some non-compensated employment, including missionary work.  Visas may be required for travel for purposes other than business or tourism.  For further information concerning entry, employment and customs requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago, 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC  20036, telephone (202) 467-6490, or the Trinidad and Tobago Consulates in Miami or New York City.  Visit the Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago’s web site.

A passport is required.  For U.S. passport holders, a visa is not necessary for stays of up to four months; however, a residence permit is needed for longer stays.  The residence permit can be obtained from the central police station of the district of residence.  Americans born in the Middle East or with Arabic names have experienced delays in clearing immigration upon arrival.  American citizens of Tunisian origin are expected to enter and exit Tunisia on their Tunisian passports.  If a Tunisian-American succeeds in entering using a U.S. passport, he or she will still have to present a Tunisian passport to exit the country.

For further information concerning entry/exit requirements for Tunisia, travelers may contact the Embassy of Tunisia at 1515 Tunisian/American children must always have both parents' permission to exit the country, even if one parent has sole custody. 

A passport and Turkey visa are required. Currently, holders of all types of passports, if they are traveling as tourists, can purchase a 90-day sticker visa at the port of entry for USD $20 cash. For further information, travelers in the U.S. may contact the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey at 2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone: (202) 612-6700, or the Turkish Consulates General in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, or New York. Visit theEmbassy of Turkey web site for the most current visa information. Overseas, travelers may contact a Turkish embassy or consulate.

Official and diplomatic passports holders traveling on official business must obtain a visa from a Turkish embassy or consulate before arriving in Turkey. 

All travelers planning to stay more than three months for any purpose are required to obtain a Turkey visa from a Turkish embassy or consulate. Such travelers must also apply for a residence/work permit or Turkish ID card within the first month of their arrival in Turkey. This includes anyone who plans to spend more than three months doing research, studying, or working in Turkey.

All travelers are advised to obtain entry stamps on the passport page containing their visa at the first port of entry before transferring to domestic flights. Failure to obtain entry stamps at the port of entry may cause serious difficulties for travelers when they attempt to depart the country. On multiple occasions, Turkish authorities have detained travelers overnight in such situations.

Due to a revision of Turkish residency requirements in 2008, all travelers should also be careful not to stay beyond the date permitted by their visas or residency permits.  Once a traveler has stayed beyond the date permitted in their visa or residency permit, he or she will be subject to deportation, a fine, and a travel ban restricting their return to Turkey for a period of between three months to five years.  The time of the ban is determined by the length of time of the “overstay.”
Crossing the border with Iraq can be time-consuming, as the Turkish Government tightly controls entry and exit.  All travelers wishing to cross into Iraq from Turkey must still have a valid travel document, such as a passport.  In fact, travelers wishing to enter Turkey from any of its neighboring countries around Turkey must have both a valid travel document and current Turkish visa.

See the Turkmenistan Entry Requirements

U.S. citizens do not need to obtain visas to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands as tourists for less than 90 days.

Air Travel: All Americans traveling by air outside the United States are required to present a valid U.S. passport to enter or re-enter the United States.

Sea Travel: As of June 1, 2009, Americans traveling by land or by sea are required to present either a valid U.S. passport or other valid Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. Other valid WHTI travel documents include: passport card, enhanced driver’s license, NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST card. Sea travelers should also check with their cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry requirements.

Applications for the new U.S. Passport Card are now being accepted. The card may not be used to travel by air and is available only to U.S. citizens. Further information on the passport card and upcoming changes to U.S. passport policy can be found on the Bureau of Consular Affairs web site. The U.S. Department of State strongly encourages all American citizen travelers to apply for a U.S. passport well in advance of anticipated travel. American citizens can visit travel.state.gov or call 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778) for information on how to apply for their passports.
Visit the Embassy of the United Kingdom web site for the most current visa information.

A passport, onward/return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds for the stay in Tuvalu are required.  Visitor permits valid for up to three months are issued upon arrival.  For further information about entry requirements, travelers may wish to contact the Tuvalu Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, Suite 400 B, 800 2nd Avenue, NY 10017, tel.: (212) 490-0534, fax: (212) 808-4975.  This is particularly true for those persons planning to enter by sea.

A passport valid for three months beyond the date of entry, Uganda visa and evidence of yellow fever vaccination are required.  Travelers may obtaine a Uganda visa before departure through a visa expediter or directly through the Embassy of Uganda consular services. They are also available at Entebbe Airport upon arrival.  The current fee for a three month tourist visa obtained upon arrival at Entebbe Airport is $50.00.  Travelers should be aware that a visa does not determine how long a person may remain in Uganda.  The Ugandan immigration officer at the port of entry will determine the length of authorized stay, which is generally from one to three months as a tourist.  Extensions of duration of stay may be requested at Ugandan immigration headquarters on Jinja Road in Kampala.  Airline companies may also require travelers to have a visa before boarding.  Travelers should obtain the latest information and details from the Embassy of the Republic of Uganda at 5911 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC  20011; telephone (202) 726-7100.  The Ugandan Embassy may also be contacted by email .  Travelers may also contact the Ugandan Permanent Mission to the United Nations, telephone (212) 949-0110. Overseas, inquiries may be made at the nearest Ugandan embassy or consulate. 

See Ukraine Entry Requirements

A passport is required. For stays of 30 days or fewer, U.S. citizens holding valid passports may obtain visitor visas at the port of entry for no fee.  For a longer stay, a traveler must obtain a United Arab Emirates visa before arrival in the UAE.  In addition, an HIV/AIDS test is required for work or residence permits; testing must be performed after arrival.  A U.S. HIV/AIDS test is not accepted.  For further information, travelers can contact the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, 3522 International Court, NW, Washington, DC 20037, telephone (202) 243-2400.  Visit the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates web site for the most current visa information.

The Government of the United Arab Emirates requires that all persons residing in the UAE, including U.S. citizens, have a national identification card.  Americans who are working or living in the UAE should visit the Emirates Identity Authority web site for more information on card registration procedures and requirements.

Unlike other countries in the region that accept U.S. military ID cards as valid travel documents, the UAE requires U.S. military personnel to present a valid passport for entry/exit.

UAE authorities will confiscate any weapons, weapon parts, ammunition, body armor, handcuffs, and/or other military/police equipment transported to or through a civilian airport.  Americans have been arrested and jailed for transporting such weapons and equipment without the express written authorization of the UAE government, even though airline and U.S. authorities allowed shipment on a U.S.-originating flight.

Please review the Criminal Penalties section of this document for more information on customs restrictions, particularly in regard to the UAE’s strict anti-drug laws.

U.S. citizens and citizens of other countries that are not members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) who depart the UAE via land are required to pay a departure fee. This fee is 20 UAE dirhams and is payable only in the local currency.

The United Arab Emirates has imposed HIV/AIDS travel restrictions on persons applying for a work or residence visa.  An HIV/AIDS test is required for work or residence permits; testing must be performed after arrival.  A U.S. HIV/AIDS test is not accepted. 

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) is now in the process of fully implementing a five-tier regulation system that affects Americans coming to the United Kingdom as well as American citizens and dependents already in the country.  Information on the new, points-based system can be found on the United Kingdom Border Agency web site.

Companies and individuals intending to employ American citizens, or other nationals from countries beyond the European Economic Area and Switzerland, are required to apply to the UKBA for a sponsorship license.  Information on the sponsorship license can be found on the UKBA web site.

Educational establishments must also apply for a sponsorship license. Even American educational institutions that only offer short-term study abroad programs in their own premises in the United Kingdom to students who are enrolled in the United States, and who come to the United Kingdom for one or two semesters before returning home to finish their degree courses, must apply for a license from the UKBA.  Information on the license for educational establishments can be found on the UKBA web site.

Students and prospective students who intend to stay longer than six months, and those coming for less than six months but who wish to work while studying, are required to obtain a student or prospective student visa before traveling to the United Kingdom.  Failure to do so will result in the student or prospective student being refused entry to the United Kingdom. Information on student visas can be found on the UK web site. Students may apply online.  Note, too, that charity workers, religious workers, and other temporary workers, even those performing unpaid duties, are required to obtain a visa prior to traveling to the United Kingdom.  Information on temporary workers can be found on the UKBA web site.

If travelers or sponsors have any questions about requirements for a visa, please refer to the United Kingdom Border Agency web site.

Travelers must be outside the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man when they make an application for a visa.

It is the traveler’s personal responsibility to ensure that he/she has the appropriate permission to enter the United Kingdom.  The U.S. Embassy in London cannot intervene with any application, nor can it secure entry on behalf of American citizens who arrive without a visa when one is required.

All United States citizens entering Uruguay for business or pleasure must have a valid passport.  U.S. citizens traveling on a regular passport do not need a Uruguay visa for a visit of less than three months.  U.S. citizens traveling on diplomatic or official passports require a visa.  Air travelers are required to pay an airport tax upon departure.  This fee may be paid in U.S. dollars or in Uruguayan pesos.  Visit the Embassy of Uruguay website for the most current visa information.

A passport and Uzbekistan visa are required. Although official invitation letters are not required for American citizens applying for tourist visas, they are required for those planning to visit an individual who resides in Uzbekistan. Tourist visas cannot be extended in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan visas are issued by Uzbek embassies and consulates abroad. Travelers can also authorize a visa expediter to obtain a Uzbekistan visa for them. Visitors coming from countries where Uzbekistan does not have diplomatic or consular representation should obtain visas in a third country. Visas are not available upon arrival at Uzbek airports. The Embassy has received a number of reports from American citizens who have had problems obtaining Uzbek visas or who received Uzbek visas valid for a very limited period, usually for fewer than three months. Americans seeking visas are encouraged to apply for their visas well in advance of their travel.

It is important to note that Uzbek visas indicate not only the validity of the visa, but also the period of time a person is allowed to stay in Uzbekistan on a given trip. A visitor will have to leave the country before the number of days indicated as the duration of stay on the visa expires. Therefore, it is important to indicate your intended period of stay when applying for your Uzbek visa. American citizens who are affiliated with a non-governmental organization (NGO) that has been closed in Uzbekistan may be prevented from entering the country, even with a valid visa. All travelers, even those simply transiting Uzbekistan for fewer than 72 hours, must obtain an Uzbek visa before traveling to Uzbekistan.

Foreigners must complete a customs declaration upon entering Uzbekistan. The amount of cash taken out of Uzbekistan should not exceed the amount indicated on the customs declaration. In order to export more cash than was imported, one must have special permission from the National Bank of Uzbekistan. Those who understate the amount of currency on their declaration form upon departure from Uzbekistan face fines and confiscation of their unreported money.

The Uzbek Government tightly controls all official border crossings.  Travel within Uzbekistan by rail or land sometimes requires brief exit into neighboring countries. Travelers should have multiple-entry Uzbek visas and a proper visa for the neighboring country in order to avoid delays in travel.

Registration after entry: All travelers present in Uzbekistan for more than three business days must register with the Office of Entry, Exit, and Citizenship, commonly known as “OVIR.” Hotel guests are registered automatically, but all other travelers are responsible for registering themselves. Registration fees vary depending on length of stay. Visitors without proper registration are subject to fines, imprisonment, and deportation. The fines range from $1,000 to $12,000.  Uzbekistan restricts religious activities only to registered religious groups and has strict registration requirements.  Violators of the law’s prohibitions on activities such as proselytizing, importing, and disseminating religious literature, and offering private religious instruction are subject to criminal penalties including deportation.

Further visa information is available from the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone: (202) 530-7291; fax: (202) 293-9633, or, from the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in New York City, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 327A, New York, NY 10017; telephone: (212) 754-7403; fax: (212) 838-9812.

A valid passport, onward/return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds are required.  Vanuatu visas are not required for stays up to 30 days after which an extension of stay of up to 120 days is possible.  For further information on entry requirements, particularly for those persons planning to enter by a sailing vessel, please visit the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Vanuatu to the United Nations website, 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400B, New York, NY 10017, Telephone: (212) 661-4303; fax: (212) 422-3427, (212) 661-5544.

Travelers who plan to transit or visit Australia must enter that country with an Australian visa or, if eligible, through the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). The ETA replaces a visa and allows eligible travelers a stay of up to three months in Australia. An ETA may be obtained for a small service fee at http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/ or for quick service you can expedite an Australia visa. Airlines and many travel agents in the United States are also able to issue ETA’s.  Travelers may obtain more information about the ETA and Australian entry requirements from the Australian Embassy at 1601 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036, tel. (202) 797-3000.

The Government of Vanuatu does not impose any entry restrictions for persons with the HIV/AIDS virus, as long as they include the information on the arrival form.

See Italy entry requirements

See Venezuela Entry Requirements

A valid passport and Vietnamese visa or visa exemption document are required.  A visa or visa exemption document must be obtained from a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate prior to traveling to Vietnam. This can be done directly or you can get a Vietnam visa through a visa expediter. Entry visas are not available upon arrival.  Americans arriving without an appropriate Vietnamese visa or exemption document will not be permitted to enter, and will be subject to immediate deportation.  Vietnamese visas are usually valid for only one entry.  Persons planning to leave Vietnam and re-enter from another country should be sure to obtain a visa allowing multiple entries. 

Even while in possession of a valid visa, some travelers have been refused entry to Vietnam.  U.S. citizens are cautioned that Vietnamese immigration regulations require foreigners entering Vietnam to undertake only the activity for which their visas were issued.  A change in the purpose of your visit requires permission in advance from the appropriate Vietnamese authority.  U.S. citizens whose stated purpose of travel was tourism, but who engaged in religious proselytizing have had religious materials confiscated and have been expelled from Vietnam. An American whose U.S. passport is lost or stolen in Vietnam must obtain both a replacement passport and a replacement Vietnamese visa.  The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General can issue limited validity emergency replacement passports in as little as one day, but the Vietnamese government requires three working days, not to include the day of application, to issue a replacement visa.  Neither the U.S. Embassy nor the Consulate General can expedite replacement Vietnamese visas.

Current information on visa and entry requirements may be obtained from the Vietnamese Embassy, 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036, tel: 202-861-0737, fax: 202-861-0917, the Vietnamese Consulate General, 1700 California Street - Suite 430, San Francisco, CA 94109, tel: (415) 922-1707, fax: 415-922-1848, or from the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate overseas.

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IMPORTANT: The foreign entry requirements listed here were obtained from foreign embassies or consulates. This information is subject to change. Verify the data with the consular officials of the countries you plan to visit well in advance. For further information, see our embassy list.

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