Savvy WandererTravels

Visa rules for United States

Of the 198 other passports, 4 can visit United States visa-free. 42 need an e-Visa or online approval before they travel and 152 need an embassy visa or can’t visit at the moment.

Visa-free4
Visa on arrival0
e-Visa or online42
Embassy visa or no entry152
DataDataset 17 Feb 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026

Detailed guide for South Africans

Which passports can visit United States

Each country is coloured by what its passport holders need to visit United States. Hover over or tap a country for details.

What’s changed

Travel ban

Since 1 January 2026, the US has suspended visas for most passport holders from 19 countries plus Palestinian Authority travel documents, and suspended tourist, business and student visas for most passport holders from 19 more. These are marked “not possible now” below.

Visa bond

Applicants from 50 countries can be asked for a refundable bond of up to US$20,000 for a visitor visa (permanent since August 2026).

Fees

The B1/B2 visitor visa costs US$185, plus a US$250 visa integrity fee where it’s charged. Visa Waiver travellers apply for ESTA online instead, only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov.

Every passport, by entry type

Visa-free 4 passports

North America

Oceania

e-Visa or online authorisation 42 passports

Europe

Middle East

  • Israel · online authorisation
  • Qatar · online authorisation

East Asia

Southeast Asia

South America

  • Chile · online authorisation

Oceania

Embassy visa, or not possible now 152 passports

Southern Africa

East Africa

West Africa

Central Africa

North Africa

Indian Ocean islands

Atlantic islands

Europe

Middle East

East Asia

Southeast Asia

South Asia

Central Asia and the Caucasus

North America

Central America

Caribbean

South America

Oceania

Before you go

  • Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after your trip, with 2 blank pages.
  • Carry a return or onward ticket, your accommodation details and proof you can pay for your stay.
  • Apply only on the official site: travel.state.gov: visitor visas. Copycat sites charge extra.
  • Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate, especially if you travel from or through Africa or South America.
  • Airlines decide boarding with Timatic: check your route on the IATA Travel Centre.

Sources and checks

How current is this? Entry types come from an open visa dataset updated 17 Feb 2026, corrected where newer official notices show a change (checked 17 Oct 2026). Notes on this page were checked against the sources below. Rules change without notice: confirm with the embassy or official immigration site, and check your route on the IATA Travel Centre before you book.

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