Unlike international visitors to the U.S. (see related post, “Visiting the U.S. shouldn’t be this hard,”) American travelers are usually welcomed warmly by state governments the world over. There’s no place on Earth where Americans are forbidden to go, save for maybe Cuba, which doesn’t mind “forgetting” to stamp the passports of American visitors who violate the U.S. embargo.
Americans need only a passport to visit more than half the countries in South America, and any country in western Europe. That includes Greece and Poland, two members of the European Union whose citizens must obtain a visa to visit the U.S. And only since June 1, 2009, have Americans been required to show even a passport to visit Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and 16 Caribbean nations from Anguilla to Turks and Caicos.
Of the top 10 destinations visited by Americans in 2008, only China requires a visa. Under a system known as reciprocity, the fee is $130, or the same as what Chinese citizens pay for a U.S. visa. Most countries, however, charge significantly less for Americans to obtain visas. For example, Egypt requires just $15, Turkey $20, and Israel $0, and all three countries make their visas available upon arrival. Of the top 30 countries for American tourism, only China, India and Russia require visas prior to departure the way the U.S. does.
Some countries, especially those in South America, charge airport exit fees, usually around $40, which are almost always payable in cash only (save some local currency for your departure). But no other country in the world forces visa applicants to submit a mugshot and a fingerprint, two hallmarks of the U.S. visa process.
For a brief period in January, 2004, Brazil tried to give the U.S a taste of its own medicine, by requiring all U.S. visitors to be fingerprinted on arrival. The measure ended just a few weeks after it began, in part because of the huge headaches it created at immigration lines, and in part because Brazil didn’t want to make such a hostile first impression. Like most of the world, Brazil considers international travelers a source of revenue to be welcomed, not a pipeline of potential dangers to be feared.
How have you been welcomed in other countries? Share your thoughts with other travelers in the comments section.
— John Rosenthal
John Rosenthal, a frequent contributor to Bing Travel, has been warmly welcomed by both governments and residents in countries throughout Europe, South America and the Pacific Islands.
"Americans need only a passport to visit more than half the countries in South America, and any country in western Europe"
welcome in Europe, America ;)
Japan takes a photo and electronic fingerprints on arrival. But they are very nice about it...Thai police take your photo on arrival and can be scary...if you go there on business you have to submit a form in advance, and you hope they received it, or it is trouble at the airport.
Chile also charges a reciprocity fee and so does Brazil; both countries are stunning and the people are lovely. Also, to enter Angola, you'll need a visa and they too are a fantastic nation, one of my favorite nations in africa.
