Before you go
Travel visas & entry requirements
The practical travel-document check I recommend doing before you book an international trip. Start with your passport, not just your destination.
Check visas & entry requirements
Choose the passport you'll travel with and your destination. We'll point you to the right official sources—visa decisions are never assumed.
Choose your actual travel documents
Start here
Check before you book a nonrefundable flight.
A destination may be visa-free for one traveler but require a visa, eVisa or travel authorization for someone traveling on a different passport. Connecting airports can add their own requirements. A green card or residence permit in your home country does not automatically give you another country’s entry rights.
Start with IATA Travel CentreThen confirm the result with the destination government or embassy. IATA is a starting point, not a visa application service or guarantee of boarding.
Before you search
Four details that change the answer
Have your actual documents and full route in front of you.
Which passport will you use?
A visa rule is normally tied to the nationality and type of passport presented, not simply the country you live in. Dual nationals should check the document they will enter and leave with. Residence permits can matter in some cases but are not universal substitutes for visas.
Where will you transit?
A layover may trigger separate transit or entry rules. Check each connection—especially self-transfers, overnight stopovers and routes that require collecting baggage or passing immigration.
What are you going there to do?
Tourism, business, work, study, volunteering and longer stays can have different permissions. Being visa-exempt as a tourist does not automatically authorize paid work or study.
Is your passport valid for long enough?
The destination may require extra validity beyond your departure date, a recent issue date or empty visa pages. There is no single six-month rule that applies to every country.
Know the difference
Visa, eVisa, ETA — not the same thing
- Visa or eVisa
- Permission a destination may require before arrival. An eVisa is typically processed online. Requirements and processing times vary.
- ETA / eTA / ESTA / ETIAS
- Different countries or regions use electronic travel authorizations for eligible travelers. They are not interchangeable and are not always visas.
- Visa on arrival
- Only applicable where expressly permitted for your passport and circumstances. Confirm eligibility, payment methods and required documents beforehand.
- Visa-free entry
- You may still face rules on length of stay, passport validity, permitted activities, return travel and proof of funds.
Check official requirements
Start with the worldwide checker, then follow the government source for your destination. Links open the original website.
- WorldwideIATA Travel Centre Start here: airline-focused passport, visa and health document checks for your route.
- U.S. passportsU.S. State Department Country-by-country entry information and travel advisories for U.S. passport holders.
- EuropeEuropean Union — Your Europe Official Schengen travel-document and short-stay entry guidance, including important exceptions.
- EuropeEU ETIAS information Check the official system status, eligibility and application details rather than third-party claims.
- United KingdomUnited Kingdom — visa / ETA checker The UK government’s tool to determine whether a visa or electronic authorization is required.
- CanadaGovernment of Canada — visit Canada Official information on visitor visas, electronic travel authorizations and transit.
Your pre-departure document checklist
Use this before you book and again before you fly. These are checks to complete—not a visa eligibility result.
0 / 8 checks completed
Avoid the last-minute scramble
What else could trip you up?
Onward travel
Some destinations may ask for an onward ticket, confirmed accommodation, sufficient funds or proof of insurance. Check the exact conditions for your passport.
Travel with children
Children may need separate passports, visas or authorization letters. Always verify country and airline requirements.
More than one country
Schengen, the UK, Ireland and other regions can apply different rules. A multiple-stop itinerary may need multiple checks.
Check it again before departure
Recheck the destination government and airline before you leave—particularly after a passport renewal, route change or new stopover. Approval of a visa or electronic authorization never guarantees admission at the border.