International travel can be a challenging process to navigate, especially when it comes to deciphering a country’s visa requirements. Luckily, U.S. citizens possess one of the most powerful passports on the planet, which allows them to visit 190 foreign countries with relative ease. But visa rules aren’t set in stone, and countries frequently update their guidelines. In particular, there are three nations that have recently altered — or announced plans to amend — their visa rules when it comes to American visitors. Are you planning an international trip soon? Then you’ll want to find out which countries are changing visa requirements for U.S. travelers in 2024.
Brazil
(Editor’s Note: After publication, the Brazilian government announced that the new visa requirement for U.S. nationals would be delayed for one additional year to April 10, 2025.)
Starting April 10, 2024, Brazil is set to reinstate a visa requirement for all U.S. citizens traveling to their country. Previously, Americans didn’t need to take any extra steps when planning a Brazilian vacation, but that’s no longer the case. This new mandatory visa will cost U.S. travelers $80.90, though it remains valid for a 10-year period after being first issued. The U.S. isn’t the only country affected by these changing guidelines, as visitors from Canada and Australia are also required to obtain Brazilian visas before their vacation. To apply, visit the official Brazilian website well in advance of your trip.
A little extra legwork can definitely pay off when it comes to visiting Brazil, though. From architectural stunners like Christ the Redeemer — a monumental statue towering 2,329 feet above Rio de Janeiro — to natural wonders like Iguazu Falls (which are twice as tall as Niagara Falls and three times as wide), Brazil has endless appeal for travelers.
Kenya
On December 12, 2023, Kenya announced that the country would no longer require visas for all international travelers. This was an extension of a policy announced in October of the same year, when the government revealed plans to open its borders to all African nationals. However, the process of relaxing visa requirements is temporarily on hold, after the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority declared a postponement of the amended rule change. This is because the country is working to create an electronic system to streamline travel. Once it’s ready, Kenya will become a fully visa-free country.
When it does, travelers will gain even easier access to one of the most stunning and wide-ranging national park systems of any country in the world. The 60 Kenyan national parks and reserves make up roughly 8% of the country’s total land mass, meaning you’re bound to encounter nature and wildlife at nearly every turn. One of the best times to visit Kenya is from July to October, when a great migration of wildebeest takes place across the Serengeti Plains of the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Türkiye
For years, American travelers were required to go through the often frustrating process of applying for a visa and paying $51.50 just to visit Türkiye (the official name of the country many know as Turkey). Fortunately, as of 2024, that’s no longer the case.
According to the country’s official tourism agency, Türkiye saw a massive influx of American tourists in 2023, with U.S. travelers making up the fourth-largest group of foreign visitors at various times. Rather than crack down on the number of visitors, Türkiye opted to ease restrictions and encourage even more American citizens to visit. Any American visiting the country can now take advantage of the new visa-free travel rules, so long as they stay for under 90 days over the course of a 180-day period.
If you decide to join them, you won’t want to miss the majestic Hagia Sophia, which is located in the transcontinental city of Istanbul. Originally built as a Christian church during the height of the Byzantine Empire in the sixth century, it later became a mosque, then a church, and finally a mosque once more. Meanwhile, nature lovers can take a trip to the Pamukkale Thermal Pools of Hierapolis. The historic site is known for its stunning white rock formations that look as if they’re covered in snow, and for its healing hot springs which attract locals and tourists alike.
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