Planning trips for 2025 can take a lot of forethought, especially if you’re looking at international destinations. While you might be focused on flights and creating the perfect itinerary, many destinations require a travel visa for entry. For example, many European countries will require visas for Americans visiting in 2025, which has previously not been the case for vacation travel in the area. Luckily, United States passport holders are allowed entry to 115 countries without a visa, which makes planning your trips easier.
When do you need travel visas?
A visa is a document that allows you to enter a foreign country. Visas describe the purpose and length of time for your visit. For example, if you’re traveling for work, your visa would be very different than if your trip is just for vacation. The country your passport is from will determine what destinations you need a visa to visit. The United States has what is considered a “strong passport,” meaning Americans can travel to many countries without needing entry visas.
According to the Passport Index, U.S. passports have a mobility score of 172 and can travel to 115 countries without a visa. Additionally, 50 countries offer a visa on arrival for American travelers. While the list of visa-free countries is long, there are still restrictions on how long you can stay in the country. If you’re planning on taking an extended trip, be sure to check your destination’s limit.
What countries can U.S. Passport Holders travel to without a visa?
U.S. passport holders can travel to over 100 countries without visas, so the list is long. Some notable destinations near San Francisco include Canada, Mexico, and Guatemala. Check out the list as of January 2025 below:
- Albania
- Andorra
- Angola
- Antigua
- Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bosnia
- Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominica
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kiribati
- Kosovo
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macao
- Malawi
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Netherlands
- Nicaragua
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Palau
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Saint Kitts
- Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- San Marino
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- St. Vincent
- The Grenadines
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Zambia
Remember that visa policies can change, so be sure to do your research while planning your next trip. Plus, stay tuned for more news regarding European Union countries requiring visas for United States passport holders.