Arudy

Plan Your Trip

Visa & entry, kept simple

A general orientation to tourist entry requirements. Always confirm with the destination country's official immigration site before you book.

Important: This page is editorial guidance, not legal or immigration advice. Rules change frequently. The only authoritative sources are the embassy or consulate of the country you're visiting and the official government immigration website.

The four categories most travelers fall into

  1. Visa-free entry. Many passports allow stays of 30–90 days without applying for anything in advance. You usually just need a passport valid for at least 6 months and an onward ticket.
  2. Electronic authorization (ESTA, eTA, ETIAS, K-ETA). Quick online forms, small fee, approval often within minutes. Required even when "visa-free" — easy to forget.
  3. Visa on arrival. Pay at the airport upon landing. Bring cash in USD or EUR; card machines fail more than they work.
  4. Visa in advance. Apply at an embassy or via an online portal weeks or months ahead. Required for several destinations regardless of stay length.

Things people forget

  • Passport validity. Most countries require 6 months of validity beyond your departure date — even though your trip is shorter.
  • Blank pages. Some countries require two or more blank visa pages.
  • Onward travel. Airlines can deny boarding if you don't have proof you'll leave.
  • Schengen day-counting. 90 days in any rolling 180-day period — not per country, not per year.
  • Travel insurance proof. Required for entry to several countries; we recommend it for every trip regardless.

How early to apply

Electronic authorizations: at least 72 hours before departure, ideally a week. Embassy visas: start the process 6–12 weeks before, longer for peak summer. Never book non-refundable flights before you have a clear view of the visa timeline.

Where to check, officially

Search "[destination country] tourist visa site:gov" or visit the destination's embassy site in your country. For US-bound trips, use travel.state.gov. For Schengen, use the embassy of the country where you'll spend the most days.