It is widely known that the US passport ranks among the strongest passports in the world. American citizens can travel to 185 countries without a visa; that is, they can access over 90% of the world.
They can travel to any of the 27 countries of the European Union, even the United Kingdom, which is not part of the EU anymore, Canada, Mexico, most Asian, South American, and African countries. However, some countries and territories still require American passport holders to have a visa before entering or on arrival. Hence, it is advisable to do so before planning your trip.
China
There is no visa-free agreement between the US and China, so American citizens must apply for a tourist visa before traveling to China. They can apply for single-entry or multiple-entry visas with a validity of 6 months or 12 months; however, the visa fee is USD 140. Apply for your China tourist visa at a Chinese Embassy or Consulate. It usually takes 4-5 business days to process your visa application. You might be called for a consular interview.
India
To travel to India, US citizens must apply for an Indian tourist visa, also called an e-tourist visa. The visa can be for 30 days to one year or five years. A 30-day e-visa for tourism costs USD 25, while a one-year e-tourist visa costs USD 40. A five-year e-tourist visa costs USD 80 in visa fees. You can apply for the e-tourist visa online, and it usually takes 2-4 business days to process the visa.
If you are an OCI cardholder, you might not need to apply for an Indian visa; however, it is better to check with the Indian Consulate in your country before you book your tickets to India.
Bhutan
Except for Indian citizens, all countries require a visa to enter Bhutan. Apply for an online visa by completing an application form. Your visa application form can also be filled out by your tour operator or the hotel you are staying in Bhutan on your behalf. You must pay USD 40 as a non-refundable, one-time visa application fee. Being a carbon-neutral country, tourists must pay an SDF (Sustainable Development Fee) of USD 100 per day per adult and sign a Pledge of Friendship. It usually takes five business days to process a visa application.
Russia
US citizens must apply for a Russian tourist visa before traveling to Russia through a Russian Embassy or Consulate. The visa processing fee is $ 160 for all visa types. Additionally, there is a Russia Visa Application Centre Service Charge of USD 38 for each visa application. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your travel date. It takes ten business days for the Russian Consulate to review your application. Furthermore, it would help if you had an invitation letter or confirmation from a Russian travel agency or hotel.
Vietnam
American citizens can apply for a Vietnam electronic tourist visa that is valid for 15-30 days and can be extended. American citizens are also eligible for a visa upon arrival; however, it’s an option only if you are flying into Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, or Nha Trang. To enter the country through other modes of transport, American citizens need to apply for a visa before entering the country. For a visa on arrival, you must also submit an online application and request an approval letter by email. The processing usually takes two days, so consider this before booking your tickets. A Vietnam tourist visa, whether e-visa or visa on arrival, costs USD 25.
Saudi Arabia
American citizens are eligible for a tourist e-visa to enter Saudi Arabia. With the tourist visa, you can participate in tourism-related events, family and relative visits, leisure activities, and even Umrah. You can apply for an e-visa for one year or a multiple-entry visa with a validity of up to 90 days. It takes up to 5 days to process your visa application.
Bolivia
All American citizens visiting Bolivia must obtain a tourist visa at a Bolivian Embassy or Consulate in the United States. A tourist visa can also be purchased when crossing the air or land border. You can stay anywhere from 30 to 90 days with a visitor visa. A Bolivian visitor visa costs USD 160 to be payable in the US or an equivalent amount in local currency upon arrival. Visitors must obtain an International Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination and proof of lodging in Bolivia.
Egypt
To visit Egypt on a US passport, you can apply for a visa by submitting an application form along with a passport-sized photo, proof of travel itinerary, a copy of a round-trip ticket, a copy of accommodation reservation (hotel booking) in Egypt, and visa processing fees in person at the Egyptian Consulate or by mail. The visa fee is USD 27 for a single-entry visa and USD 62 for a multiple-entry visa.
Kenya
Kenya has no visa-on-arrival facility, so US passport holders need to apply for a Kenyan visa electronically before departure. You can apply for single-entry, multiple-entry, and 5-year multiple-entry visas; the application takes up to 10 business days to process. You need to carry proof of yellow fever immunization. Furthermore, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, tourists should be updated on their polio vaccines.