The world might not be enough, but it’s enough to be getting on with.
It’s big, exciting and ever-changing so, in response, at Nomad Capitalist we annually update our list of countries that allow dual citizenship and those that don’t.
One thing, however, tends to stay remarkably constant: the need for visas. While holding dual citizenship can open many doors to easier international travel, many countries still require visas, making global movement a little less seamless than you might hope.
So, this yearly update is here to help you navigate these complexities.
Securing a visa can be challenging. Sometimes, visa requirements arise are out of reciprocity: for example, Brazilian citizens need a visa to visit the United States, so Brazil makes it tough for US citizens to get a Brazilian visa. Or maybe the country is difficult to deal with or likes collecting a fee from its guests.
The good news is that more and more countries are easing their rules to allow people, including many ‘Tier B’ passport citizens, to travel to more countries. One of the first steps towards implementing visa-free travel is often an electronic visa.
Many countries recognise that employing staff in embassies around the world to handle visa applications from tourists is a waste. More importantly, they realise it’s costing them tourist dollars. The average tourist would love to visit the Taj Mahal, but if it means waiting in a visa queue at some ugly embassy or simply boarding a flight for somewhere more accessible, they’ll choose the latter.
As a result, the number of e-visa countries is increasing. An e-visa allows tourists to apply for a visa online without ever speaking with a consular officer – it’s all done remotely.
Other e-visa countries, however, still impose some requirements. These can range from something silly like booking a tour to the extreme of moving their entire bureaucracy onto the internet – a move which usually ends in complicated failure.
At Nomad Capitalist, we know how frustrating it can be to deal with government bureaucracy and red tape. We deal with the paper pushers so you don’t have to. Contact us today and let us handle the bureaucracy while you relax and prepare for your travels.
E-Visa Countries for Tourists
Before we dive in, note that we’ve excluded countries with web-based visa applications that either still require sending stacks of paperwork or are reviewed by a consular officer.
We’ve done that for good reason. Sure, Australia offers an online visa application similar to those offered by Canada, the UK and Ireland, but that online application is merely the first step along the same gruelling process of going to an embassy. You may be better off going to the embassy in the first place rather than getting bogged down by opting for the online route.
In addition, we’ve excluded pre-approval confirmations like the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) in the United States and the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) in Australia. These are not visa applications per se, even if they feel like more work than the process of other e-visa countries.
Armenia
While most Western citizens can visit Armenia without a visa for 180 days (second only to nearby Georgia’s 365 days), some countries, such as Canada, need an electronic visa or a visa on arrival. When presented with the option, you may be better off going with the e-visa as sometimes smaller countries’ immigration officers make it difficult to obtain a visa on arrival.
If, for example, you are someone with a ‘Tier C’ passport, one of the easiest passports to get, you would be better off applying for the electronic visa option, which is more accessible. You can visit the website here to learn more about it.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan requires visas from just about everywhere except for 12 countries that get visa-free access and another 13 Asian and Gulf countries that get visas on arrival. Everyone else needs to apply before arrival and Azerbaijan’s e-visa process was once infamous for the challenges it presented applicants.
However, as of 2017, the country has made the visa process much more manageable. Now, tourists can easily apply through various tour operators as long as they book a tour, such as a Baku day tour, or their hotel stay through the e-visa portal.
Bahrain
Bahrain has substantially eased its visa policy, being one of the more liberal Gulf states with regards to Westerners. Their e-visa program used to be open to only 38 nationalities but was recently expanded to include more than 200 countries.
Most ‘Tier A’ passports can obtain a visa on arrival or an e-visa, while a smattering of African and Asian countries must go the e-visa route. That said, the e-visa process requires you to upload multiple forms and isn’t overly straightforward. Their friendly-looking website is here.
Cambodia
The Cambodian e-visa process is about as easy as it gets. The most problematic part is having a physical passport photo to scan and upload (which is why it’s a good idea to keep a few spare passport photos at hand).
Once you’ve done that, filling out the forms takes all of five minutes and approval is almost instantaneous. Cambodia has raised its e-visa fee over the years, constantly adding another US$2 here or US$5 there.
Applying online through the official website should cost you around US$36. Many Western citizens, such as those from the United States, can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days, with the possibility of an extension. You can find the official Cambodian e-visa page here.
Côte d’Ivoire
The once-troubled West African country formerly known as Ivory Coast has its own online visa process that now accepts payments.
The Côte d’Ivoire e-visa is available to citizens of more than 200 countries and costs between US$73 and US$103, depending on the length of your stay. Visitors can use the Ivory Coast e-visa for travel, business and visiting relatives and friends. It’s valid for 90 days from the issue date and is usually granted within 72 hours.
Egypt
Egypt is one of the oldest and, in terms of culture and history, richest civilisations. Aside from the famous pyramids, the nation has many popular attractions from sunny beaches to popular restaurants. It’s no wonder the country has always been a tourist hub and it seems natural that it has hopped on the e-visa countries list.
Nationals of 75 countries must submit their e-visa application from the country’s e-visa portal at least seven days before arrival. The single-entry visa is US$25 and the multiple-entry visa is US$60.
Gabon
The African nation of Gabon makes things more straightforward, even if it only allows a grand total of 12 nationalities to visit without a visa. Gabon actually gives you the option to select a single entry for just under US$100 or a multi-entry visa with options to determine how long you want to stay.
In our experience, selecting the most conservative visa based on your need is generally easier and cheaper. The process is straightforward, although you will need to upload some documents on their website here.
Georgia
Georgia is one of the most open e-visa countries in the world, second to perhaps only Ecuador. Even countries that face a lot of restrictions when travelling, such as Thailand, have easy access. If you aren’t from the laundry list of countries that get a one-year stamp upon arrival, you’ll need to go through the easy e-visa process.
Nationals of a few countries – Cuba, Guatemala, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay and several Caribbean islands – can apply for 90 days, while all others – such as the Chinese – can apply for 30 days. The website is here.
India
India made a smart move when it introduced its e-visa program and then chose to open it up to most travellers. The problem is that getting an Indian e-visa represents everything you might expect: bureaucracy and inefficiency.
The Indian e-visa process is rather intense and involves a lot of questions and a few uploads, so plan to spend an hour or two really focusing on it. E-visas are issued for several categories, such as tourist business, medical and so on and bear in mind that validity periods and fees vary depending on your nationality.
Iran
Iran has now joined the list of e-visa countries with easier access than in previous times. Your electronic visa application can be processed within as little as ten working days. The process is straightforward, and you can get started here.
Kenya
Kenya conjures up images of African safaris and great plains teaming with wildlife but the country is also striving to make itself the financial hub of East Africa, with everything from co-working spaces to venture funds opening up.
As of January 1, 2024, Kenya has replaced visa requirements for foreign visitors with an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system. Visitors from eTA-exempted countries, such as Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda are not required to obtain an eTA prior to travel.
This comes after President William Ruto announced the creation of the digital platform to ensure all visitors would receive an e-visa, stating: ‘It shall no longer be necessary for any person from any corner of the globe to carry the burden of applying for a visa to come to Kenya,’. You can apply here.
Kuwait
The Kuwait e-visa is becoming available to a growing number of countries in Europe and even Georgia. Citizens of 53 countries may now obtain an e-visa valid for three months. The process is straightforward, although you will need to answer a number of questions. The Kuwait e-visa costs about US$10 (may vary by nationality). You can find all the details here on the website.
Laos
Open to a staggering 160 plus countries through e-visa, Laos is one of the most open countries on this list. The processing time of the e-visa is usually a mere three working days and costs approximately US$50 (excluding bank charges for US citizens). You can find the website here and a visa fee calculator that’s based on your nationality here.
Malaysia
Malaysia is one of the cheapest and safest countries in the world and one of the best Asian countries to live in. As if that wasn’t enough, it’s also one of the world’s easiest countries to visit.
Citizens from 69 countries get 90-days visa-free, with another 96 countries receiving 30-day, visa-free travel and two countries receive 14 days without a visa.
Combine that with Malaysia’s easy visa run policy and you begin to understand its reputation as one of the easiest countries to visit as a tourist. However, we should probably note that there are currently 33 countries that require an e-visa. You can apply for an e-visa on the official website.
Moldova
Since 2007, citizens of 101 countries, including every European country and most other Western countries, can enjoy Moldova visa-free.
The challenge for those who can’t get visa-free access is that the e-visa process is limited since it’s only available to citizens of most Central and South American countries.
Everyone else needs an invitation letter, which involves more than the typical online visa process. The government website is here if you want to learn more about their process and how to visit.
Myanmar
The local online visa process here once involved hiring someone (usually an inefficient and unhelpful tourist operator) to obtain the visa. Thankfully, the process has been streamlined and costs about US$50 for just about any nationality to apply.
The Myanmar e-visa is available for most nationalities and can be issued within three working days. It is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, allows tourists to stay for a maximum of 28 days and extends business travellers an invitation for up to 70 days. The government website is here.
New Zealand
New Zealand quickly joined the list of e-visa countries and made the process easier and more readily available than many others. The Kiwis even created an app through which you can acquire electronic travel authorisation (ETA).
On average, the processing time for a New Zealand ETA can take anywhere from one to three business days and cost as little as US$17. Visiting this stunning, southern island country for a spot of adventuring has never been less challenging.
Rwanda
Rwanda is also on our list of African countries to watch, which makes sense since countries with friendly visa policies are generally friendly to foreign investors. While only a handful of countries (including Singapore again) can visit visa-free, citizens of well-known Western countries like the United States can obtain a visa on arrival for around US$50. The website needs to be updated, but the process is straightforward enough and can be found here.
Sao Tome and Principe
The tiny Atlantic Ocean nation of Sao Tome and Principe doesn’t have many embassies, so it makes sense that they take visa applications online. US, Canadian, Brazilian and all EU members join the 55 countries which don’t need a visa but everyone else needs an e-visa. Either way, you will need a yellow fever certificate upon arrival.
E-visas must be used within 30 days of issue and the only option is to apply for a 30-day tourist or business visa. In addition to online fees, there is a stamping fee of €20 or €30 at the airport.
Singapore
The highly advanced city-state of Singapore does many things well. Here at Nomad Capitalist, we often advocate Singapore as a great option as part of a solid Plan B location and an excellent asset protection jurisdiction.
Citizens of 162 countries may enter Singapore without a visa for stays of between 30 and 90 days, depending on nationality. Singapore is generally one of the best Asian countries to live in, so it’s no wonder that Singapore citizenship is so highly coveted in the world of second citizenship.
South Sudan
Like many countries, South Sudan embraced online platforms following the pandemic and offered a new e-visa. This means visa applicants no longer need to travel to an embassy to apply and be interviewed. Almost all countries, 207 to be specific, can now apply online for an e-visa that starts at around US$50.
Only citizens of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Egypt have visa-free access to South Sudan – and the four other countries that have visa-on-arrival access would benefit from applying for the e-visa anyway. You can apply through their official site here.
St Kitts and Nevis
Unsurprisingly for a country that derives income from its economic citizenship program and tourism, St Kitts is a pretty open place to visit. Even citizens of India, who generally have a hard time travelling, can show up without organising a visa in advance. For the Asians and Africans who do need a visa, the process is all done online.
Most Carribean countries have about six embassies, so there is only one way to handle the process since the process is more of an online visa application than an e-visa. Despite the added complexity for these few countries, the visa process is fairly easy and can be found here.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka seems to be one of those countries where, pretty much no matter where you come from, you’ll need to get an ETA. With the exception of a few war-torn countries and African nations, almost anyone can apply for an ETA, which is good for up to 30 days, via Sri Lanka’s website. You can find all the details here.
Tanzania
Some 60 countries don’t need a visa to travel to Tanzania and the ones who do can apply on the nation’s straightforward website. The Tanzania single-entry visa costs US$50, with the multiple-entry one costing US$100. You can expect the process to be completed within ten days.
Turkey
Turkey’s visa policy is actually more confusing than that of the European Union. Back in 2012, there was no e-visa process; instead, you could obtain a visa on arrival by standing in line and paying US$20.
Now, most Westerners have options. The Turkey e-visa process is astonishingly easy and can cost a mere US$20 plus a small bank fee. The fee depends on your country of travel and the type of travel document you are handling while travelling. If you carry certain ‘Tier C’ passports, you can only get an e-visa if you meet specific criteria, such as arriving on a Turkish airline, so make sure to check. The official website is here.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE has started offering visa-on-arrival status to more citizens but most non-Western foreigners still need a visa. Fortunately, the country offers an e-visa process to all nationalities.
Getting the e-visa is pretty straightforward and allows for payment via any number of channels. Expect to pay about US$115 for a basic tourist visa, although you can upgrade to a visa that allows longer stays (up to 90 days) or add multiple entries.
Uganda
Uganda’s e-visa process is built in the same way as Gabon’s. The e-visa process is replacing the formerly available visa-on-arrival process. Good for them for deciding that a website could do a better job than inefficient government workers selling visas at the airport.
The online process is simple and costs US$50. As this is a sub-Saharan African nation, you must upload a yellow fever vaccination certificate, your passport data page and a passport photo.
All nationalities may apply online unless you’re lucky enough to be from a small number of jurisdictions such as Cyprus or Singapore or have Comoros economic citizenship, in which case you only need to turn up (yellow fever rules still apply). The government website is here.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan greatly opened up to tourism by introducing two new visa regimes in 2018. Previously, the country was accessible mainly to citizens of eastern European countries like Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Russia and Turkey.
The new e-visa program allows citizens of most Western countries – including the US, Canada, Europe and Australia – to visit Uzbekistan for up to 30 days with a single-entry, e-visa that costs US$20.
The visa must be applied for at least three days before travel and is open to nationals from around 130 countries. Citizens of more than 100 countries are eligible for a five-day transit visa on arrival, provided they have an onward ticket.
That means most travellers can now enter Uzbekistan without getting a visa at the embassy and even five days in the country should be enough to get a taste of cities like Tashkent and Samarkand.
Zambia
Zambia is one of the more open countries in Africa, but their visa policy is still somewhat restrictive. Some Westerners, such as the Irish and Maltese, only have to show up to get in but most of us require a visa on arrival.
Visa on arrival is available to over 60 countries and e-visa is available to all of those plus the remaining ‘Tier C’ countries. Zambia is on our list of trending African markets to invest in and the good news is that the e-visa website seems friendly and is located here.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe, the place many Zambians have left, has one of the best-looking websites. However, not everyone may apply for an e-visa. In addition to the forty-some nationalities that can arrive visa-free, another 100+ countries may apply for an e-visa, but often with conditions.
30 E-Visa Countries to Visit: FAQs
Some countries with the quickest turnaround rate for issuing tourist visas are Georgia, Serbia and Armenia. However, the exact time frames vary wildly depending on the country you’re travelling from and the type of visas available.
The preferred visa for travellers is typically the e-visa. While getting a visa-on-arrival is easier than other visa programs, e-visas are usually better because they can be applied for online.
An ETA usually applies to a foreign national who does not need to obtain a visa but must have authorisation to travel to a given country. An e-visa is slightly different since it is a visa, although it is much easier to apply for and obtain than most visas.
Most e-visas only apply to citizens of certain nations. In other words, the host nation only grants citizens of specific nations access through e-visa. Generally speaking, most people can apply for a regular visitor visa, even if they do not qualify for e-visa access.
As you can probably deduce from the article, the time frame for approval varies, depending on the country. However, they typically take five to ten business days.
Should I Get a Second Passport?
You may be asking yourself whether you need to go through all this red tape to travel. However, e-visas are one of the easiest and quickest ways to travel (aside from travelling with just your passport).
But you may want to make sure you have access to the world and want to know what passport can give you that. In other words, you want a powerful passport – one that other nations recognise and one that allows you to stroll through the airport and hop on a plane. While some passports are stronger than others, no single passport will grant you access to the whole world.
You need multiple passports. You can gain these passports through several special programs, including (but not limited to) naturalisation, investment, marriage and descent. The good news is those seeking ‘Tier B’ second passports through economic citizenship or other means now have more options for hassle-free travel. Our team at Nomad Capitalist knows all there is to know about getting a second passport and going where you’re treated best. Become a client today, and let us open the world for you.
