Where can I travel without a visa as an American?

If you are reading this article asking ‘where can I travel without a visa?’, you’ve come to the right place. Before planning any international trip, there are always a few important things to check, namely that your passport is in date, what vaccinations you may need, and of course whether or not you need a visa.

As a US citizen, the good news is that you are the proud owner of one of the world’s most powerful passports. In fact in 2020, the US passport was ranked the seventh most powerful in the world by the Henley & Partners Passport Index, due to the fact that you can travel visa-free to 185 destinations across the globe. This includes countries that require Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) on arrival.

So where can you jet off to for your next vacation, visa free? Below we’ve rounded up just 4 possible options to get you started…

Italy

Floating cities, romantic countryside, artistic masterpieces, idyllic coastlines and out of this world cuisine await in Italy, and what better way to discover it all than on a guided tour? Traveling with a company like Trafalgar Tours will ensure you don’t just see Italy, but that you taste it, experience it, immerse yourself in it, and meet the people who make it so special. Want to learn to make pasta alongside an Italian Nonna, sip Chianti wine in the Tuscan countryside or cruise the beautiful island of Capri? This company’s tours to Italy do it all, so if you’re asking ‘where can I travel without a visa?’, the answer is… Italia!

Peru

If visiting the ruins of mighty Machu Picchu or walking in the footsteps of the Incas has long been on your travel bucket list, then you’re in luck. US citizens hoping to travel to Peru can do so visa free, as long as they have 2 spare pages and 6 months left on their passport. And really, why would you not want to visit a country famed for spectacular scenery, gastronomical delights and ancient mysteries? Tours to Peru will see you wondering the cobbled streets of Cusco, the former capital of the Incan empire, tasting ceviche and sipping Pisco Sours in cosmopolitan Lima, or cruising the shimmering waters of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest body of water.

Ireland

The luck of the Irish is on your side if you’re wanting to travel to Ireland and asking ‘where can I travel without a visa?’, as US citizens can enter Ireland and stay for up to 90 days, visa free. The Emerald Isle boasts a treasure trove of incredible experiences, and one of the best ways to ensure you get to do exactly what you want to do, is by choosing a company like Costsaver Tours. They’ll help you discover Ireland your way, with a plethora of incredible Optional Experiences to choose from. So, alongside the regular crowd pleasers such as the Cliffs of Moher, kissing the Blarney Stone or uncovering the cultural treasures of Dublin, you’ll also have the chance to take part in activities that speak to your particular passions and interests. Like the idea of eating dinner at an Irish folklore theatre, or taking a cruise on the River Shannon? Just a couple of thought starters for how you can tailor your trip, your way, while traveling Ireland with Costsaver.

New Zealand

Wondering ‘where can I travel without a visa?’ and hoping to visit the country known for famously friendly locals, entrancing natural beauty and rich Maori culture? Then you’re in luck. US citizens do not need a visa to visit New Zealand for tourism, and instead simply need to apply for an eTA. Bubbling geysers, dazzling lakes, rolling vineyards, the majestic Milford Sound fjord and the famed Southern Alps are just the start of New Zealand’s nature spectacular, while in the cities of Auckland, Wellington and more you can expect to find all the normal cosmopolitan delights, best washed down with a crisp glass of white wine fresh from the Marlborough region. Want to see and do it all? A guided tour of New Zealand is the best way to blend nature, culture, gastronomy and local insight.

Where can I travel with a green card without a visa?

Above we’ve covered just a small selection of destinations US citizens can visit without a visa, but what about those asking ‘where can I travel with a green card without a visa?’. For green card holders, there are a number of countries you can also visit visa free. Both Canada and Mexico are included in the United States ‘good neighbor policy’ meaning green card holders do not need a visa to obtain entry. Aside from these, green card holders can visit the likes of Jamaica, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Albania and Georgia for tourism purposes without a visa.

But what about Europe, we hear you ask. Well, many countries including those that are part of the European Union (EU), will first consider your nationality (your passport) when you travel. If you would normally need a visa to enter these countries, then your green card is not enough to give you visa free access to these destinations. In this case, you will need to apply for a Schengen Visa to gain access, which you are permitted to do as a permanent resident of the USA.

So ‘where can I travel on a Schengen visa?’ you inevitably ask? Well once this visa is granted, you will be permitted to travel freely within the Schengen Zone, which consists of 26 countries. These include Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.

The simple answer to the question ‘where can I travel without a visa?’ for US citizens is, lots of places. With one of the world’s most desirable passports you’re in a good position to venture far and wide, so make the most of it!