United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
FOREIGN ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
May 2002
This listing is for U.S. citizens traveling on tourism/business and does not
apply to persons planning to emigrate to foreign countries. Persons
traveling on official business for the U.S. Government should obtain visa
information from the agency sponsoring their travel. For purposes of this
publication, a visa is an endorsement or stamp placed by officials of a foreign
country on a U.S. passport that allows the bearer to visit that foreign country.
Note: Wherever you see the words "photo(s) required" in this
publication, it generally means that you will need to submit passport-size
(2"x2") photographs.
IMPORTANT: THIS LISTING IS PREPARED FROM INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM FOREIGN
EMBASSIES PRIOR TO MAY 2002. THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS WITH THE CONSULAR OFFICIALS OF THE COUNTRIES TO BE VISITED WELL IN
ADVANCE.
PASSPORTS: U.S. citizens who travel to a country
where a valid passport is not required will need documentary evidence of
their U.S. citizenship and identity. Proof of U.S. citizenship includes an
expired U.S. passport, a certified (original) birth certificate,
Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, or Report of
Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States. To prove identity, a valid
driver’s license or government identification card are acceptable provided
they identify you by physical description or photograph. However, for
travel overseas and to facilitate reentry into the U.S., a valid U.S.
passport is the best documentation available and unquestionably proves
your U.S. citizenship.
Before you send your passport through the mail to apply
for a visa, sign it in ink, and write in pencil your current
address and daytime telephone number in the space provided. This will help
the U.S. Postal Service return it to you should it become separated from
the envelope during processing.
Some countries require that your U.S. passport be valid
at least six months or longer beyond the dates of
your trip. If your passport expires before the required validity, you will
have to apply for a new one. Please check with the embassy or nearest
consulate of the country that you plan to visit for their requirements.
Some Middle Eastern or African countries will not issue
visas or allow entry if your passport indicates travel to Israel. Consult
the National Passport Information Center (1-900-225-5674 or
1-888-498-3648) for guidance if this applies to you.
VISAS: If a visa is required, obtain it from the
appropriate foreign consular representative before proceeding abroad.
Allow sufficient time for processing your visa application, especially if
you are applying by mail. Most foreign consular representatives are
located in principal cities, and in many instances, a traveler may be
required to obtain visas from the consular office in the area of his/her
residence. The addresses of foreign consular offices in the United States
may be obtained by consulting the publication Foreign Consular Offices
in the United States on the State Department’s web site at http://www.state.gov. IT IS THE
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE TRAVELER TO OBTAIN VISAS, WHERE REQUIRED, FROM THE
APPROPRIATE EMBASSY OR NEAREST CONSULATE OF THE COUNTRY YOU ARE PLANNING
TO VISIT.
IMMUNIZATIONS: Under the International Health
Regulations adopted by the World Health Organization, a country may
require International Certificates of Vaccination against yellow fever. A
cholera immunization may be required if you are traveling from an infected
area. Check with health care providers or your records to ensure other
immunizations (e.g. tetanus and polio) are up-to-date. Prophylactic
medication for malaria and certain other preventive measures are advisable
for travel to some countries. No immunizations are required to return to
the United States. Detailed health information is included in Health
Information for International Travel, available from the U.S.
Government Printing Office (address on page 20) for $20 or may be obtained
from your local health department or physician or by contacting the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, telephone 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747), toll-free autofax: 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or
Internet: http://www.cdc.gov.
AIDS/HIV TESTING: An increasing number of countries
have established regulations regarding AIDS testing, particularly for
long-term visitors. Although many are listed here, check with the embassy
or consulate of the country you that plan to visit to verify if this is a
requirement for entry.
ADDITIONAL FEES: All international flights are
subject to U.S. Immigration and U.S. Customs fees paid in advance as part
of your ticket. In addition, many countries have departure fees
that are sometimes collected at the time of ticket purchase or upon
exiting the foreign country.
