Passport & Visa Information
IMPORTANT: You are responsible for obtaining the proper travel documents for the destinations on your itinerary.
Passports: Your U.S. passport should be valid at least 6 months or longer beyond the dates of travel. Passport applications are available at most U.S. Post Offices, as well as at regional Passport Agencies. To learn how to apply for a U.S. Passport including expedited services, click here. Travelers requiring visas, whether obtained in advance or locally upon arrival, should ensure that their passport has unstamped visa pages.
REAL ID: Travelers planning on flying domestically in the U.S. must make sure their travel documents are either TSA-approved or REAL ID compliant. Starting May 7, 2025, some state driver's licenses will no longer be TSA-approved unless they are REAL ID compliant, which is not a default option in some states. For more information, please click here.
Visas: If a visa is required and cannot be obtained upon arrival in your destination, you should make arrangements with the appropriate foreign consular representative, allowing enough time for mailing and processing. Alternatively, you may obtain a visa through a fee-based service such as GEN VISA. Please note that GEN VISA is unable to assist travelers who choose to apply for their visas directly.
Double Entry/ Multiple Entry Visas: If your itinerary involves entering a country, leaving and then later re-entering the same country, you may require a double-entry or multiple entry visa. Be sure to describe your itinerary clearly when contacting a foreign consular representative.
Transit Visas: In most situations, you will not need a visa if you are only visiting a country on a connecting flight. This is usually the case for travelers who are not staying in a country for more than 12 hours and/or are not leaving the airport. However, a country may require you to obtain a transit visa depending on your citizenship and flight schedule. When checking the entry requirements for countries on your itinerary, be sure to include those you are transiting through as well.
Entry Requirements for U.S. Passport Holders: Country details below are based on information obtained from the U.S. State Department. This information is subject to change. To check for updates, please check with the consular office of the countries to be visited and/or click here.
TSA PreCheck: U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents may opt to join the TSA PreCheck Program. This will allow travelers to save time and avoid lines when going through security at U.S. airports and not having to remove certain items from their luggage or person, such as shoes, belts, laptops, and liquids. Membership is valid for five years. The initial enrollment fee is $85, and the renewal fee is $70. For more information and to apply, please click here.
CBP Global Entry Program: U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents, and some foreign nationals who travel abroad often may opt to join the CBP Global Entry Program. In addition to gaining access to TSA PreCheck lines, program members will also gain access to Global Entry kiosks. This will save time and avoid lines when returning to the U.S. Membership is valid for five years, and the enrollment and renewal fee is $100. For more information and to apply, please click here.
Non U.S. Citizens: All information provided below pertains to U.S. passport holders only. Non-U.S. Citizens should check with the appropriate foreign consular representative.
Sea Cruise Travelers: Ttravelers on sea cruises should check carefully the requirements for each country to be visited on their sailing itinerary. Travelers without the correct documentation may be denied boarding at time of embarkation. Travelers may contact their sea cruise line directly for information but remain responsible to obtain any necessary visas.
International Entry & Visa Requirements for U.S. Passport Holders
Countries listed below require specific passport and/or visa information in addition to a U.S. passport. All other countries (not listed) do not require extra identity forms but may have extra health requirements. For health care requirements, click here.
Making the Visa Process Easier: For some countries, especially China and Russia, obtaining a visa can be a difficult and time-consuming process. Gate 1 suggests using a fee-based service like GenVisa when applying for your visa. Compared to guests who apply on their own, guests who use a visa service are less likely to have their applications rejected requiring re-submission for additional information or to correct any errors. Because visa services review your application prior to submission and offer guidance on how to best complete your application, they are able to make the process easier based on their years of experience working with the various consulates.
Click a box below to view entry requirements:
Countries that will require an ETIAS: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
Countries that will NOT require an ETIAS: Ireland
However, as not everyone lives near a consulate, we strongly recommend waiting to get your visa until arrival at the border of Bolivia. On Day 9 of your tour, you will depart the hotel in the morning and drive to the border. En route, your tour manager will provide a physical copy of the visa application for you to complete. In addition to the application, you will need your physical and a photocopy of your passport, a passport photo, invoice and travel documents, proof of economic solvency (credit card, cash or a current bank statement), and $160 USD cash application fee.
Please note: The process for obtaining an e-visa for Brazil can be time-consuming and complicated. Please read the information below carefully as mistakes can lead to more costs and delayed approval.
For passengers entering Brazil between 10 January and 9 April 2024: An e-visa was previously required. However, the implementation date of the e-visa was pushed back, and a visa is no longer required. If you have already applied and paid for your e-visa, please contact VFS Global for your options.
For passengers entering Brazil on or after 10 April 2024: An e-visa is required. To complete the application, you must upload a digital copy of your passport and passport photo, paid in full invoice, and travel documents. If you did not purchase your flights through Gate 1, confirmation of your flights is also required.
There are two options for obtaining your e-visa to Brazil.
Option 1: Apply by mail through GEN VISA, a fee-based service for obtaining a visa. Once all the required documents are collected, mail them to GEN VISA. They will then submit the application to the embassy or consulate on your behalf. This process generally takes 6 weeks to complete but can be delayed for various reasons. For more information and to download the visa kit, click here. Please note that GEN VISA is unable to assist travelers who choose to apply for their visas directly.
Option 2: Apply online directly through VFS Global. VFS Global is the official servicer for Brazilian e-visas. The cost of the e-visa is $80.90 paid online at the time of application. The process generally takes 5 business days to complete but can be delayed 10 or more days for various reasons. Once the application is approved, passengers will receive an email with a PDF confirmation. This PDF should be printed and kept with your travel documents, as these will be checked upon arrival. For more information and to apply, click here.
For passengers booked on the Mekong River Cruise: If your cruise starts in Vietnam, an E-Visa is not available and a visa upon arrival must be purchased. If your cruise starts in Cambodia, both the visa upon arrival and the E-Visa are options.
- A visa is required. U.S. passport holders are required to provide documentation to support their visa application which includes (1) full passport name; (2) hotel names, addresses and phone numbers; and (3) confirmed airline reservations with ticket numbers. For hotel address and contact information, click here. Your airline ticket information will be provided to you in your documents upon receipt of your full payment and once airline tickets have been issued.
There are two options for obtaining your visa to China.
Option 1: Apply online and by mail through GEN VISA, a fee-based service for obtaining a visa. Once all the required documents are collected and completed, mail them to GEN VISA. They will then submit the application to the embassy or consulate on your behalf. This process generally takes 6 weeks to complete but can be delayed for various reasons. For more information and to download the visa kit, click here. Please note that GEN VISA is unable to assist travelers who choose to apply for their visas directly.
The visa application for China is complex and errors can cause delays, passengers may wish to use GEN VISA's White Glove Service. With this service, GEN VISA will complete the application for you in order to avoid errors. For more information, click here.
Option 2: Apply in person directly through the Chinese Embassy. Passengers who choose to apply for their visa directly with the embassy or consulate MUST apply in person. At this time there are five locations: the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., or the Consulate Generals in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. For information on your jurisdiction, click here. The cost of the visa is $140, and processing takes approximately 4 business days from the date it is submitted but can be delayed for various reasons.
Travelers must first complete the visa application online. The application is long, complex, and errors can cause delays. To complete the application, click here. Once the application is completed, schedule an appointment with the embassy or consulate for your regional jurisdiction. To make this appointment, click here. Your documents must be submitted and collected in person. For more information on the application process, click here.
Transit Without Visa for China: Travelers making flight connections in China to a 3rd country and desiring to stopover for up to 144 hours, you may be eligible for China's Transit Without Visa (TWOV) program. The duration of your visa-free stopover varies depending on your connecting airport. For more information about this, please click here.
Important: Cuban-born U.S. Citizens should contact Gate 1 immediately. Those who departed Cuba prior to December 31, 1970 will require a HE-11 visa (allow 8 weeks to process) or a Cuban passport (allow 4 months). Those who departed Cuba after January 1, 1971 will require a Cuban passport (allow 6-12 months for new requests or 2-4 months for renewals).
Additionally, all passengers must complete and electronically sign a Travel Affidavit prior to departure. Once completed, this form must be printed and kept with your travel documents. To complete the form, click here. When completing the Travel Affidavit, you will be asked to provide the OFAC Category and Travel Dates. The OFAC Category for all tours is "People to People." The Travel Dates, please include the day, month, and year for your arrival and departure dates.
Please note for those applying for a single entry: Once the evisa is approved, passengers must enter India within 120 days of the issuance date. Passengers arriving on or after this date will be denied boarding and told to reapply. Once you arrive in India, the visa is valid for 30 days. Therefore, we strongly recommend you wait until 90 days prior to departure to apply for your evisa.
- Additionally, international tourists entering Bali in 2024 only must pay for an International Tourism Levy. The Levy is $10 and can be paid online prior to departure or upon arrival at the airport. If paying prior to departure, you will be asked to provide your name as it appears on your passport, your passport number, an email address, and your expected date of arrival. Once paid, a QR code will be emailed to you and must be presented to the authorities upon arrival. For more information and to pay for the Levy, click here.
1. Travelers who have an Amman or Aqaba airport arrival transfer included in their trip or purchased through Gate 1 Travel. In order to obtain the visa, travelers must provide their full passport information and, if flights are not booked through Gate 1 Travel, full flight details (arrival date and time, airline, and flight number) prior to departure. This also applies to passengers with a pre-night, if an arrival transfer is booked.
2. Travelers entering Jordan at a land border crossing on an Israel & Jordan combination tour:
Gate 1 will arrange your visa free of charge. We will request your passport information which is needed at least 60 days prior to departure. Upon arrival in Jordan, either at the Amman or Aqaba Airports or at one of the land border crossings between Israel and Jordan, a local Gate 1 representative will provide you with a one-page letter (Visa Manifest) before you reach passport control. The Visa Manifest will include your full passport information and details of your tour program. It is needed for entry and departure from Jordan. Note: In case you lose your Visa Manifest, change your schedule or choose to depart Jordan on your own, a $60 visa fee will apply upon departure.
3. Travelers participating on the optional Full Day Petra tour from Israel: Gate 1 will obtain a visa locally for approximately $60 as long as your passport information is provided to the Israel Tour Manager at least 48 hours in advance. This is in addition to the border taxes & fees.
4. In all other situations, you will need to get your visa on your own in advance of your trip. A single-entry visa costs approximately $60 and can be obtained in advance or on arrival at certain entry points. For more information click here.
Please note: In this case only, the included visa service applies to all nationalities. Passport must be valid for six months beyond travel dates. when crossing the Israeli-Jordanian land border, there is a $55-65 exit fee. This fee is paid locally at the time of the border crossing. Travelers will be advised by their tour manager at the start of their tour how much the fee is and how to pay it.
Please note: Although the eTA is for single entries, all itineraries that we offer fall within an exception that allows it to be used for multiple entries. As a requirement for this exception, do not apply for your eTA until 60 days prior to your scheduled departure.
Please note: Travelers on the 18 Day Himalayan Kingdoms: Nepal & Bhutan should purchase the 30 day visa.
Travelers arriving in South Korea on or after January 1, 2025 who are spending less than 90 days for tourism must apply for the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA). This must be obtained online, prior to departure, and costs approximately $10. To apply, click here. For more information, click here.
Additionally, the UAE highly regulates prescription drugs, leading to some common medications in the US being labeled as controlled substances. Some medications may need to be registered prior to entry. For more information, click here.
Please note: travelers who are 55 years of age or older are exempt from getting a visa prior to arrival if they are traveling for tourism and stay for less than 30 days.
When applying for your e-visa, you will be asked to select your entry and exit ports. For Ho Chi Minh City, select "Tan Son Nhat Int Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)." For Hanoi, select "Noi Bai Int Airport (Ha Noi)." For the Mekong River Cruise, the crossing point is the "Song Tien Landport."