Best Visa-Free Destinations for Americans to Live Abroad
Longest stays in the world ‣ Travel advisories ‣ Documentation ‣ North America ‣ Caribbean ‣ Central America ‣ South America ‣ United Kingdom ‣ Europe (Schengen) ‣ Europe (non-Schengen) ‣ Middle East ‣ Africa ‣ Asia ‣ Oceania ‣ Antarctica
Somewhere in the world, there’s another city where you’d fit right in. A winter somewhere tropical? How about a long-stay in Europe? Thanks to visa-free travel zones, you’ve got options.
With an American passport, there are dozens of countries where you can stay without a visa for three months, six months, or up to a year. There’s even a few destinations where you can live overseas forever, if that’s your calling.
Visa-free travel takes away much of the headache of planning, as you can book the ticket and just show up ready for vacation mode. In general, the IRS allows travelers to venture abroad for up to six months before there are any tax consequences (though be sure to check with your accountant).
HEADS UP: Conscious travel is a bit of an art form. Digital nomads often get a bad rep for creating challenges for the locals. Here are my tips for how to travel with respect.
Overall longest visa-free stays in the world
If you’re an American citizen, you can escape to more than a dozen countries for half a year or more without needing to apply for a visa—you can basically just grab your passport and go.
I reviewed entry regulations for every country in the world. These are the clear winners with the most generous entry policies (listed alphabetically).
Before you book your ticket
Check the travel advisory on the U.S. Department of State’s website
Double-check visa policies (they can change quickly)
Look up entry, exit, and paperwork requirements
Review any tax policies with your accountant
Quick note about travel advisories
The U.S. Department of State keeps a running list of travel advisories for each country. The level is determined by crime, civil unrest, political tensions, war, natural disasters, weather conditions, disease risk, and current events.
If you’re newer to the travel scene or you’re a solo traveler, I recommend sticking to Level 1 and Level 2 destinations so you can build up some confidence.
Travel advisories are not meant to scare you—they are there to keep you safe and make you aware of potential challenges before you go.
Level 1: Exercise normal precautions
Level 2: Exercise increased caution
Level 3: Reconsider travel
Level 4: Do not travel
Check the travel advisory for your intended destination here. Also, just in case of any urgent updates, the U.S. government can reach you faster abroad if you enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
What paperwork do you need to bring?
For all visa-free travel destinations, you’ll need a valid American passport. Make sure that you have at least one blank passport page for entry and exit stamps.
Many countries require that your passport stays valid for at least six months past your intended departure date. For example, if you’re hoping to stay abroad from January to April, make sure your passport is valid through October.
Depending on where you go, border patrol might require additional paperwork. You may need to prove you have a place to stay, a clear bill of health, or that you have the means to support yourself.
This could include:
accommodation details
proof of your return ticket
financial statements
health certificates
traveler’s insurance
temporary vehicle import permit
international driver’s license (available for $30 through AAA)
Visa-free stays in North America
If you’re curious about life in America’s neighboring countries, add these places to your radar. You could head north of the border for the summer and south of the border for the winter. Little of this, little of that.
Is it safe to travel to Mexico?
Yes, Mexico is an amazing and diverse country worth visiting. With 32 states, there are plenty of welcoming destinations. The travel advisories vary by region. In general, it’s best to stay away from the border areas and tense territories noted for cartel activity.
Popular spots include Cabo San Lucas (Baja California Sur), Campeche City (Campeche), Huatulco (Oaxaca), Mazatlan (Sinaloa), Merida (Yucatan), Playa del Carmen (Quintana Roo), Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco), Queretaro City (Queretaro), San Cristóbal de las Casas (Chiapas), San Miguel de Allende (Guanajuato), Sayulita (Nayarit), and Xalapa (Veracruz).
Visa-free stays in the Caribbean
If palm trees and white sandy beaches are calling your name, the Caribbean could be a great place to stay awhile. Not only will it feel like you’re living in a postcard, but it’s compact enough to island-hop.
Additional notes about Caribbean visas:
Antigua and Barbuda: this island offers a visa-on-arrival for up to 1 month.
Cuba: a traditional visa is required for all travelers The permitted length of stay is 1 month. Visiting for tourist activities is prohibited, but there are 12 categories of authorized travel, including educational tours and humanitarian activities.
Haiti: while the country allows visa-free travel for up to 3 months, it has a Level 4 travel advisory. The U.S. Department of State does not recommend traveling there.
Jamaica: a much-loved destination for its food and reggae scene, Jamaica has a Level 3 travel advisory, especially in Kingston. If it’s on your bucket list, the safest areas are Ocho Rios and Treasure Beach.
Saint Barthelemy: though not quite visa-free, this island offers a visa-on-arrival for up to 3 months for American passport holders.
Trinidad and Tobago: this island paradise near Venezuela has a Level 3 travel advisory. If you go, the safest areas are Manzanillo, Maracas Bay, and Toco.
Visa-free stays in Central America
Historical architecture, incredible food, stunning scenery, kind locals—that’s Central America for you. Costa Rica has to be one of my favorite places on the planet. You just can’t beat the warm, laid-back vibe in this region of the world. It’s downright contagious.
Additional notes on Central American visas:
El Salvador: known for its stellar surf, this popular vacation spot has a Level 3 travel advisory. The safest destinations are El Tunco, Santa Ana, and Suchitoto.
Guatemala: colonial architecture and diverse landscapes are a draw for many, despite a Level 3 travel advisory. The safest zones are Antigua, Lake Atitlan, and Quetzaltenango.
Honduras: the rich Mayan history enthralls travelers from afar, even with a Level 3 travel advisory. Stick with the Bay Islands, Comayagua, Copan Ruinas, and Roatan.
Nicaragua: the lush “land of lakes and volcanoes” has a Level 3 travel advisory. The safest spots are the Corn Islands, Granada, Laguna de Apoyo, and San Juan del Sur.
Visa-free stays in South America
From the soaring heights of Machu Picchu to the otherworldly hues of the Atacama Desert, South America is a photographer’s dream. Peru allows a generous six-month stay for American travelers, should you need a home base near the center of the continent.
Additional notes on South American visas:
Colombia: this up-and-coming spot for digital nomads has a Level 3 travel advisory. For the safest trip, explore Cartagena, Medellin, Minca, and Jardin.
Guyana: known for its breathtaking waterfalls, this destination has a Level 3 travel advisory. In the capital city, Georgetown, stick with Albert Town, Brickdram, Kitty, and Queenstown.
Suriname: with a traditional visa, American passport holders can enjoy this small, safe country near the Caribbean for up to 3 months.
Venezuela: Americans need a traditional visa to visit this country. With a Level 4 travel advisory, the U.S. State Department does not recommend traveling there.
Visa-free stays in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom (UK) is one of the most visited regions in the world. Whether it’s art, history, or a good game of rugby you’re after, you’ll be sure to find it here.
All countries in the UK have a common border, which means you can travel freely between them. However, once your stay is up, you’ll have to leave the entire zone for the rest of the calendar year.
In other words, you can’t stay for six months in Northern Ireland and then another six months in Scotland. It’s six months, maximum, for the entire UK.
Visa-free stays in Europe (Schengen Zone)
For those lucky enough to get a Eurail pass and explore the Schengen Zone, the memories will last a lifetime.
The Schengen Zone is a group of 26 European countries with a common visa policy, allowing travelers to travel freely between them without border stops, similar to how Americans can move freely between different states.
The max amount of time an American can spend in the Schengen Zone without a visa is three months within a six-month period. Once you hit your limit, you’ll need to leave all participating countries for at least six months before you can return.
Note: The rules will soon change. As of 2025, the EU will require travelers to request a ETIAS visa before arrival.
Visa-free stays in Europe (non-Schengen)
With 160 distinct ethnic groups and 287 languages, Europe covers a whole lot of ground in a region smaller than America. You’ll have no shortage of cultures to explore—or ancient castles, for that matter.
Most countries in Europe allow Americans to stay for three months. Two notable exceptions are Georgia and Albania, a pair that allow Americans to stay without a visa for an entire year.
Note: In 2025, the EU will introduce the ETIAS visa for travelers. But, for now, Americans can still travel to Europe without a visa for the remainder of 2024.
Additional notes about European visas:
Belarus, Ukraine, or Russia: the U.S. Department of State does not recommend traveling to these countries due to ongoing conflict. There is a Level 4 travel advisory in place.
Visa-free stays in the Middle East
There’s nothing quite like riding a camel in a vast desert or falling asleep in a tent with an endless sky above. The Middle East attracts visitors from all faiths and walks of life, eager to soak up impressive monuments, historical sites, and world wonders.
Additional notes about Middle East visas:
Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen: have a Level 4 travel advisory due to ongoing conflict.
Egypt, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia: have a Level 3 travel advisory and require a traditional visa.
Israel: though a 3-month visa-free stay is permitted for Americans, the country has a Level 3 travel advisory due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Jordan: the famous land of 100,000 archaeological sites offers Americans a visa-on-arrival for 1 month.
Kuwait: one of the richest countries in the world offers a visa-on-arrival to explore for 3 months.
Turkey: prized for its cuisine and stunning architecture, this country grants an e-visa for 3 months.
Visa-free stays in Africa
All across Africa, you’ll find cities steeped in rich cultural traditions, soul-stirring landscapes, and some of the best opportunities in the world to view wildlife up close. South Africa, in particular, is a popular visa-free destination for expats and digital nomads alike.
Africa is a huge continent with 52 countries and limited border agreements. Most countries permit Americans to stay between 1 and 3 months.
Visas on arrival: Comoros, Djibouti, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Togo
Traditional visas: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Uganda
Level 4 travel advisories: Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan
Visa-free stays in Asia
If there’s one region of the world that’s known for its robust traveler community, it has to be Asia. Between the gorgeous scenery, affordable cost of living, and bounty of co-working spaces with high-speed WiFi, it’s a natural place for visitors to stay awhile (respectfully, of course).
Additional notes about visas in Asia:
Macau: a safe, visa-free country with a low crime rate. It has a Level 3 travel advisory due to the U.S.’s government’s limited ability to provide consular services, should you get detained. Strictly follow all local laws when you visit.
Visas on arrival: Bangladesh, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka
Traditional visas: Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam
Level 4 travel advisories: Myanmar (Burma) and North Korea
Visa-free stays in Oceania
The region that holds many names—Australasia, Polynesia, South Pacific, Melanesia, Micronesia, and “down under”—boasts an inviting climate, coral reefs teeming with life, and the kind of laid-back hospitality that can only come from living (and loving) life by the ocean.
Additional notes about visas in Oceania:
Tuvalu: this small island nation offers a visa-on-arrival for a 30-day stay.
Australia, New Zealand, and Norfolk Island: require a traditional visa, allowing visitors to stay for 3-9 months.
Visa-free travel to Antarctica
At last, we’ve reached the end—literally. Antarctica, the world’s southernmost continent, belongs to no single country and, therefore, does not require a visa for entry.
Keep in mind that only a handful of countries provide transport to this icy empire, so you’ll need to comply with the visa regulations from your starting port. There are five countries that sail and fly to Antarctica:
Argentina
Australia
Chile
New Zealand
South Africa
From South America by boat, the trip costs about $5,000 and takes 48 hours, including the dreaded Drake Passage, where waves can reach 60 feet tall. By plane, the two-hour journey costs around $10,000.
For those penguins, though? Worth it.
