Foreign Entry Requirements: Bahamas to Burundi

Bahamas | Bahrain | Bangladesh | Barbados | Belarus | Belgium | Belize | Benin
Bermuda | Bhutan | Bolivia | Bosnia-Herzegovina | Botswana | Brazil
British Virgin Islands | Brunei | Bulgaria | Burkina Faso | Burma (Myanmar)

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For a list of entry requirements for other countries, click here.

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Bahamas, The

A valid U.S. Passport with two blank visa pages is required to enter the Bahamas and return to the United States. Citizens who arrive via air will be denied re-entry to the United States without a valid passport. Tourists do not need a visa to visit the Bahamas although onward/return tickets are required before entry. Failure to present such may result to denial of entry.

U.S. citizens traveling to the Bahamas via a closed loop cruise may use a WHTI-compliant document, a passport card or a passport to gain entry. However, bringing a valid passport is strongly recommended in case a passenger may need to disembark and return to the United States by air. It is important to verify with your cruise liner if you are on a closed loop cruise.

You can also use a  U.S. Passport Card when entering the Bahamas via a closed-loop cruise. The card may not be used to travel by air and is available only to U.S. citizens.

Bahrain

A passport and a visa are required. Passports should be valid for at least six months after the date of arrival and have at least one blank visa page for an entry stamp. U.S. passport holders may apply for and purchase a two-week tourist visa online through the Bahraini government web site, or may obtain it upon arrival at the airport. U.S. diplomatic passport holders receive a no-fee two-week visa.

Prior to travel, visitors may apply to a Bahraini embassy for five-year multiple-entry visas valid for stays as long as one month at a time. Heavy fines are common for visitors who overstay their visas. The amount of the fine is determined by a formula related to the visa type, duration, and location of issuance.

An exit tax is included in the ticket price for flights out of Bahrain, and no additional exit fees are required upon departure. Residents of Bahrain must apply for a re-entry permit prior to their departure.

For further information on entry/exit requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain, 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008; or the Bahrain Permanent Mission to the U.N., 866 Second Ave. 14th & 15th Floors New York, NY 10017, telephone (212) 223-6200.

Those in a hurry can employ the services of a registered expediting service courier in order to get a visa to Bahrain quickly.

Barbados

Visitors must have a valid passport to enter Barbados, and may stay for up to 6 months without a visa. For further information, travelers may contact the Embassy of Barbados, 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 939-9200, fax (202) 332-7467; or the consulates of Barbados in Los Angeles, Miami or New York.

All Americans traveling outside the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. This requirement has been extended to sea travel (except closed loop cruises), including ferry service. U.S. citizens must have a WHTI compliant document such as a passport or passport card for entry or re-entry to the United States. While closed-loop cruise passengers do not need a passport, it is strongly recommended for them to carry a valid one should they need to disembark or return to the United States by air.

Belgium

A passport valid three months (six months recommended) beyond the intended duration of the visit to Belgium, as well as proof of sufficient funds and a return airline ticket are required. Passports should have a minimum of two blank visa pages. American citizens do not need a visa to travel to Belgium for business or leisure for up to 90 days. That 90-day period begins with entry into any of the Schengen countries: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. Multiple visits to Schengen countries may not exceed 90 days in any 6 month period. For further information concerning entry requirements, contact the Embassy of Belgium at 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Tel:  (202) 333 6900; or one of the Belgian Consulates General in Atlanta, Los Angeles, or New York.

Belgian law requires that everyone carry some form of official identification at all times, which must be displayed upon request to any Belgian police official. In the case of American non-residents of Belgium, a U.S. passport must be presented.

Note: Although European Union regulations require that non-EU visitors obtain a stamp in their passport upon initial entry to a Schengen country, many borders are not staffed with officers carrying out this function. If an American citizen wishes to ensure that his or her entry is properly documented, it may be necessary to request a stamp at an official point of entry. Under local law, travelers without a stamp in their passport may be questioned and asked to document the length of their stay in Schengen countries at the time of departure or at any other point during their visit, and could face possible fines or other repercussions if unable to do so.

Belize

All U.S. citizens must have a U.S. passport valid for at least the entire length of intended stay in order to enter Belize. A visa-free stay is granted for 30 days provided that onward/return airline tickets are presented upon arrival. Those who travel to Belize with purposes other than tourism or those who wish to stay longer than 30 days must obtain visas from the government of Belize. In addition, proof of sufficient funds (at least USD $60/day) must be presented by all foreign travelers. All tourists and non-Belizean nationalities are required to pay an exit fee of more or less USD $40 when leaving Belize. This fee is already included in all U.S. airline and cruise tickets.

Cruise ship passengers are advised to carry valid passports in case they need to disembark and/or return to the United States by air. Also, a person with both U.S. and Belizean citizenship will be allowed entry using a Belizean passport but would need a valid U.S. passport in order to return to the United States.

Additional information on entry and customs requirements may be obtained from the Embassy of Belize at 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, Tel: (202) 332-9636. Information is also available at the Belizean Consular offices in Miami and Los Angeles, or at the Belizean Mission to the UN in New York.

Benin

Visitors to Benin must have a passport and visa. Passports must be valid at the time of entry. Visas are not  available upon arrival at the airport, and should be obtained ahead of time. An e-visa can be obtained online between 7 to 90 days prior to travel. This is generally valid for 30 or 90 days. Extensions to 36 months may be obtained without additional costs at a the Beninese Embassy or Consulate. Visitors should also carry a WHO Yellow Card as proof that they have had current yellow fever inoculation.

For updated visa information, you may visit the Embassy of Benin at 2124 Kalorama Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008, Tel. 202-232-6656.

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Bermuda

Travelers to Bermuda must present a valid passport to enter the country and to re-enter the United States. This requirement has been extended to sea travel (except closed loop cruises), including ferry service. U.S. citizens must have a WHTI compliant document such as a passport or passport card for entry or re-entry to the United States by water.

Travelers may contact the Bermuda Department of Immigration for more information.

Bolivia

Visitors to Bolivia must have a passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date of entry. Entry is granted for 30, 60, or 90 days at the discretion of the Bolivian immigration officer at the port of entry. U.S. citizens who wish to extend their stay can apply for an extension through the National Migration Service, which has offices in most major cities. The additional periods can be consecutive or nonconsecutive within a one-year period. The maximum period of stay for tourists is 90 calendar days per year.

Proof of financial means is also required. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is mandatory especially for visitors coming from countries where the disease is prevalent.

Click here to get expedited visa courier service for Bolivia.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

A passport is required for travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The passport must be valid for 3 months following the intended departure from the country. American citizens do not require a visa for tourist stays up to 90 days. Unless the traveler is staying at a hotel, all foreigners must register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival.

U.S. citizens planning to remain in Bosnia and Herzegovina for more than three months must apply for a temporary residence permit from the local police station having jurisdiction over their place of residence. The Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina no longer issues visas of any kind prior to travel. 

Temporary residence requirements are as follows:

1. U.S. passport valid three months beyond the end of the temporary residence period
2. Proof of accommodations
3. Proof income/financial means
4. Health insurance applicable within Bosnia-Herzegovina
5. Proof of no criminal record from your U.S. state of residence

For additional information concerning longer stays, employments, and other types of visas, please contact the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at 2109 E. Street NW, Washington, DC 20037, Tel: (202) 337-1500. Visit the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina web site for the most current visa information.

Botswana

Visitors must have a passport with a minimum of six months of validity after the planned date of departure. U.S. citizens are permitted stays up to 90 days within a 12-month period without a visa. Those who are planning to stay in the country for a longer period or has not bought an onward/return ticket are required to acquire a visa before travel. This is also applicable for visitors who have already exceeded their 90 days per year allowable stay. Visitors bearing an emergency photo-digitized passport must obtain a visa prior to travel lest they be subjected to fines and administrative delays. As a general precaution, all travelers are advised to carry a photocopy of the photo/bio information page of their passport and keep it in a location separate from the passport.

Any visitor who plans to continue to South Africa must have a passport with at least three  blank (unstamped) visa pages, one for each entry. Without these pages, the visitor can be refused entry to South Africa even when in possession of a valid visa. The visitor may also be fined and returned to his/her point of origin at the visitor's expense. In addition, all visitors traveling to or through South Africa are required to present their original International Certificate of Vaccination as approved by the World Health Organization (a.k.a yellow card).

As a general precaution, travelers are advised to carry a photocopy of their passport's bio page and keep it separated from the original passport.

Declaration of currency upon entry and exit is no longer required for foreign visitors.

For additional information on entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana, 1531-1533 New Hampshire Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20036; or the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Botswana to the United Nations, 103 E. 37th St., New York, NY 10016. There are also honorary consuls in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston. Visit the Embassy of Botswana's web site for the most current visa information.

British Virgin Islands

All Americans traveling to and from the United States by air must have a passport or other valid travel documents. This requirement was extended to sea travel including ferry service except on cruises and other sea trips originating and ending in the United States.

We strongly encourage 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. The U.S. Department of State recommends traveling with a valid U.S. passport to avoid delays or misunderstandings. A lost or stolen passport is also easier to replace when outside of the United States than other evidence of citizenship.

U.S. citizens must have onward or return tickets and sufficient funds for the duration of their stay in the Virgin Islands. Upon initial entry, visitors will be granted a stay of no more than 30 days. At the end of the 30 days, visitors must report to the Immigration Department's main office in Road Town for an extension.

Visitors entering the British Virgin Islands by yacht during daylight hours must proceed directly to a port of entry and clear immigration controls. Visitors arriving by yacht outside of business hours should register with Immigration at opening of business the following business day. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to heavy fines or imprisonment.

For information on travel to the British Virgin Islands, travelers should contact the BVI Department of Immigration at 1-284-494-3471. Visit the Embassy of the British Government web site for the most current visa information.

Brunei

U.S. passport-holders must have at least six months validity remaining on their passport before entering Brunei. Although only one passport page is required for an entry stamp, at least six blank pages are required especially for extended stays. Visas are not required for stays up to 90 days, but are mandatory for longer visits. A visa is also required of official or diplomatic passport holders for stays of more than 90 days. There is an airport departure tax.

According to the local Ministry of Health, all travelers to Brunei Darussalam must fill out a Health Declaration Card upon arrival. In some cases, travelers may be subjected to a medical examination and/or quarantined if infected or suspected to be infected by a communicable disease.

For further information about entry requirements, travelers may consult the Consular Section of the Embassy of Brunei, 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel. (202) 237-1838, or visit the Embassy of Brunei web site for the most current visa information.

As of June 12, 2004, immigration offenses are punishable by caning. Workers who overstay their visas can face jail sentences and three strokes of the cane. Those associated with violators, such as contractors or employers, are subject to the same penalties if found guilty.

Bulgaria

A United States passport valid for 3 months beyond the intended stay is required for U.S. citizens who are not also Bulgarian nationals. U.S. citizens who enter the country without a Bulgarian visa are authorized to stay for a total of 90 days within a six-month period. This law is strictly enforced. An application to extend one's stay beyond the original 90 days can be filed for urgent or humanitarian reasons, but must be submitted to regional police authorities no later than five days prior to the end of the original 90-day period. Travelers who have been in the country for 90 days, and then leave, will not be able to reenter Bulgaria before the six-month period expires. Travelers using official or diplomatic passports must secure visas prior to arrival. Upon entering the country, Bulgarian immigration authorities request that all foreigners declare the purpose of their visit and provide their intended address.

U.S. citizens intending to live or work in Bulgaria for more than 90 days within six months (or more than six months within a year) must obtain a "D" visa prior to arrival. The practice of switching from tourist status to long-term status when already in Bulgaria is no longer allowed. Those wanting to do so must leave Bulgaria and apply for a "D" visa at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate. This procedure takes roughly five weeks.

American citizens who marry Bulgarian nationals and want to switch to long-term status must also leave the country, present their marriage license at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate in a neighboring country, and apply for a "D" visa.

The Bulgarian authorities do not consider presentation of a copy of the passport sufficient for identification purposes. Visitors should carry their original passports with them at all times. This is not a requirement for U.S. citizens who hold residence permits for Bulgaria but they may be required to present pertinent documents to prove their status.

All visitors to Bulgaria are required to present proof of medical insurance to cover their stay in the country. This must be presented at the ports of entry. For further information concerning entry requirements, travelers should contact the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria at 1621 22nd Street, NW, Dimitar Peshev Plaza, Washington D.C. 20008; or the Bulgarian Consulate in New York City at 121 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10021.

Burkina Faso

A valid passport, visa, and evidence of yellow-fever vaccination are required for entry into the country. At the Embassy of Burkina Faso in Washington, D.C. U.S. citizens may apply for a 5-year multiple-entry visa.

For more information, contact the Embassy of Burkina Faso, 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 332-5577. Overseas inquiries should be made at the nearest Burkinabe embassy or consulate.

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Burma (Myanmar)

Visitors to Burma must have a passport and visa, but visas can be difficult to obtain. To apply for a tourist visa, your passport must be valid for at least six months. You must also present a confirmation letter from your tour operator, proof of hotel reservations and onward/return tickets. Once approved, tourists are allowed to stay in the country for a period of 28 days which cannot be extended. Visitors must display their passports and visas at airports, train stations, and hotels, and may pass through security checkpoints when outside common tourist areas.

The Government of Burma announced an eVisa program for tourist visas. The program allows tourists to apply for a visa online rather than physically applying at an embassy or consulate. Tourists are generally notified within a few days about whether they have been approved for a visa. You must present the approval letter at Immigration when you enter the country. Once tourists are approved for the visa, the visa needs to be used within three months.

Procedures may exist at Burmese entry and exit points designed to prevent international child abduction. Adults with children may be asked to provide evidence of a family relationship or permission from absent parents or legal guardian.

As of June 2012, visas on arrival can be issued for those applying for Business, Entry (meetings/workshops/events) and Transit visas. These may be availed at the Yangon International Airport. However, this process has not been entirely ironed out and those looking to visit Burma would be well advised to still secure a visa prior to travel.

Information about entry requirements as well as other information may be obtained from the Burmese Embassy (Embassy of the Union of Myanmar) at 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008, the Permanent Burma Mission (Mission of Myanmar) to the U.N. at 10 East 77th St., New York, NY 10021, or the Consulate-General of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar at 3435, Wilshire Boulevard, Suite1590, Los Angeles, CA 90010..

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Burundi

A passport, visa and evidence of immunization against yellow fever are required for entry. Passports must be valid for at least the entire duration of one's stay in Burundi. The Government of Burundi has ceased issuing entry visas upon arrival in Burundi.  Visitors must obtain one ahead of time from a Burundian Embassy or consulate.

The latest information about visas may be obtained from the Embassy of the Republic of Burundi, Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; or from the Permanent Mission of Burundi to the United Nations in New York.

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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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