Which countries in Latin America require visas for Americans?

Changes in Presidents, Increased Drug Trafficking, Expansion of Organized Crime … Many factors can affect visa policies for as many tourists as for foreigners who want to enter the United States or for Americans who want to travel .

Often, The claims of the Latin American countries are the consequence of a "policy of reciprocity" because of the requirements imposed by Washington on foreigners.

It is that in the region, only Chile is a member of the Visa Waiver program which allows Chileans to enter the United States for up to 90 days without a visa. Argentina left the program in 2002 as a result of the economic crisis in the country and Uruguay suffered the same fate due to the high rate of non-compliance with the time limit.

For Americans who want to enter a country in Latin America There are three options: visa, entry after payment of a fee or free entry. Although the pbadport of a US citizen must often be valid six months after the day of his departure from the country, this requirement does not apply in most of the region and the pbadport must only be valid for the duration of the trip. . The six-month rule, however, applies to trips to Cuba, Ecuador and Honduras.

Which countries require visas for US citizens and which ones charge for reciprocity fees? Here is the list updated by the Council of the Americas:

Argentina: Americans do not need a visa for stays of 90 days or less and, as of 2016, when a presidential decree has canceled the reciprocity fee of 160 USD in effect since 2009. The tax of The Buenos Aires International Airport is USD 41.50, which is often added to the air fare.

Bolivia: Americans must obtain a visa to enter the country. They must apply for it before traveling to Bolivia's five consulates in the United States, but in certain circumstances they can obtain it at international airports and at the country's land border crossings. Visas cost USD 160 and are valid for 10 years for stays of up to 90 days a year. Those who apply for a visa from a consulate should also provide Bolivians who enter the United States with similar documents: a request and a photo, proof of a return air ticket, a copy of a hotel reservation or a confirmation letter. invitation, and a bank statement. The country also receives a departure tax of US $ 24 at international airports.

Brazil: Although Americans benefited from a visa-free policy between June and September 2016, when the country hosted the summer Olympics, Brazil resumed its policy of reciprocity and forced US citizens to obtain a visa. Embbady or Consulate of Brazil before entering the country. Americans must complete an application, submit a photo, proof of travel and residence and pay a processing fee of 160 USD. Tourist visas are valid for 10 years for stays of up to 90 days a year. In January 2019, President Jair Bolsonaro announced that his administration would ease visa requirements for US citizens, but no law had been introduced until March 2019.

Chile: Americans can travel to Chile without a visa for up to 90 days.

Colombia: Americans do not need a visa for stays of less than 90 days. Foreign visitors staying more than 60 days must pay a tax of 38 USD at the airport of departure.

Costa Rica: Americans do not need a visa to travel up to 90 days, but they must prove that they are returning to their country or that they have confirmed their next trip. Visitors must pay an exit fee of $ 29, which is normally added to the price of the plane ticket.

Cuba: Although US law prohibits visa-free tourist travel in the United States, the US Treasury Department's Foreign Assets Office can approve travel included in one of the 12 travel categories or grant a special license for a trip. deal – in November 2017, the Trump administration presented a list of rules relating to travel and advised US citizens to avoid doing business with certain hotels, shops and businesses "related to military, intelligence services or security of Cuba or personnel ". On March 11, 2019, the US State Department expanded Cuba's restricted list.

In addition, it limited the popular person-to-person visa option for non-academic educational trips. Whatever the case may be, individual travelers can still visit the country on their own using the "Cuban People Support" visa category, which encourages visitors to participate in local activities as simple as staying in the country. a private residence (private residence) or dine in a private place. Those interested in traveling to Cuba are invited to contact the Cuban embbady to determine which license suits them best. To enter a tourist card is required and costs around 50 USD. And from May 2015, the $ 25 departure fee from Cuba adds to the price of the plane ticket. Travelers can get their visa at the Cuban Embbady in Washington or at some US airport exit gates.

Dominican Republic: US visitors can stay in the country without a visa for up to 30 days. A tourist card in the amount of US $ 10 is usually included in airline tickets, but it can also be obtained online. The card is valid 60 days after the issue and allows a stay of 30 days that can be extended to the General Directorate of Migration of Santo Domingo. The country also levies an exit tax of US $ 20, usually added to the air fare.

Ecuador: Americans can enter the country without a visa for stays of up to 90 days over a period of 12 months, although immigration officers may request to see proof of return travel. Departure taxes vary by airport and are usually added to the price of the plane ticket.

The Savior: This country does not require visas for stays of less than 90 days, but visitors to the United States must pay a $ 10 tourist card upon arrival. Visitors pay an exit fee of USD 32, which is added to the air fare.

Guatemala: US travelers do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Those traveling by air must pay a departure fee of $ 30, often allocated for air tickets, as well as an airport security fee of $ 2.50.

Honduras: stays up to 90 days do not require a visa for US travelers. However, visitors must present proof of return or a subsequent trip. As of 2015, an airport departure tax of $ 45.97 is applied to the airfare fare.

Mexico: This country does not require a tourist visa for Americans for stays of less than 180 days. Mexico charges an exit tax of 18 USD to 29 USD, depending on the airport, which is sometimes added to the plane fare. US citizens entering Mexico by air or traveling by land beyond the immediate border area (approximately 20 km on Mexican territory) must be in possession of a pbadport. Americans who cross the land and stay inside the border area can do so with an identification, such as a driver's license or what is called a reliable traveler card. When traveling as a tourist, it is advisable to enter Mexico with a valid pbadport at least six months after the scheduled date.
to enter, Americans do not need a visa for stays of less than 90 days, but they must purchase a $ 10 tourist card upon arrival. The country levies an exit tax of US $ 42, which is often added to the cost of the air fare.

Nicaragua: Americans do not need a visa for stays of less than 90 days, but must purchase a $ 10 tourist card upon arrival. The country also levies an exit tax of US $ 42, which is often added to the cost of the air fare.

Panama: Americans do not need a visa to stay up to 180 days, but they must provide certain documents to immigration authorities, including proof of return or a second destination, as well as a visa. proof of financial solvency. This includes a $ 500 cash quote, a credit card, a bank statement or a letter of employment. The country levies an exit tax of USD 40, which is sometimes added to the air fare.

Paraguay: Visitors from the United States arriving at Asunción International Airport must pay the visa for 160 USD. If you do not arrive at the airport, visitors must pay the fees and apply for a visa in advance at the Paraguayan embbady or consulate. International travelers must pay an exit fee of between USD 16 and USD 31, which is sometimes added to the price of the plane ticket.

Peru: this country issues a free tourist visa for US visitors upon arrival, valid for stays of up to 90 days. Tourists must also submit proof of return to their country or a subsequent trip.

Uruguay: Americans can enter this country without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Uruguay charges an exit tax of USD 31 for international air pbadengers or USD 17 in the case of a trip to Buenos Aires. The fare is often added to the air fare.

Venezuela: On March 12, 2019, the US State Department issued its highest warning regarding travel, urging all US citizens not to visit the country because of "crimes, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure and arrests ". and arbitrary arrests of US citizens. "He also advises all US citizens living or traveling in Venezuela to leave the country, Washington has withdrawn all diplomatic personnel from the country and has announced that the Caracas Embbady will not provide More Consular Services US citizens who still plan to visit Venezuela must obtain a tourist visa valid for US $ 30 before their arrival, although they must do so at a Venezuelan embbady in a third country, as the embbady and Venezuelan consulates in the United States are not allowed open for visa processing.