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What a U.S. passport needs for every country we visit
How long your passport must be valid, which countries need a visa or travel authorization before you fly, and the new rules coming into force. Checked against the U.S. State Department.
Rules for U.S. passport holders, checked against the U.S. State Department. The table below gives each country’s own requirement.
Every country Canterbury travels to accepts a passport with six months left after your return. Meet that and you never need to check the country rules below.
The Schengen countries, which include Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and most of Europe, require three months beyond the day you leave the area. Your passport must also have been issued within the last ten years.
These countries want six months of validity counted from the day you arrive. A passport that meets the simple rule above will always pass.
An electronic travel authorization or visa must be approved before you fly. Apply online at least a few weeks ahead, and never through an unofficial site that charges extra.
Egypt issues a 30-day tourist visa at the airport for a fee paid in U.S. dollars cash. Jordan issues one on arrival, or you can apply online in advance. We tell you exactly what to bring before you travel.
What a U.S. passport needs for every country on a Canterbury itinerary. Each source link opens that country’s page on the State Department website.
| Country | Passport must be valid | Visa or travel authorization | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | |||
| Austria | 3 months after leaving the Schengen area | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Belgium | 3 months after leaving the Schengen area | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3 months after departure | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Croatia | 3 months after leaving the Schengen area | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Czech Republic | 3 months after leaving the Schengen area | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Denmark | 3 months after leaving the Schengen area | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Finland | 3 months after leaving the Schengen area | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| France | 3 months after leaving the Schengen area | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Germany | 3 months after leaving the Schengen area (6 recommended) | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Greece | 3 months after leaving the Schengen area | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Hungary | 3 months after leaving the Schengen area | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Ireland | Valid for your whole stay | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Italy and Vatican City | 3 months after leaving the Schengen area (6 recommended) | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Lithuania | 3 months after leaving the Schengen area | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Netherlands | 3 months after leaving the Schengen area | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Norway | 3 months after leaving the Schengen area | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Poland | 6 months after arrival | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Portugal | 3 months after leaving the Schengen area | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Slovenia | 3 months after leaving the Schengen area | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Spain | 3 months after leaving the Schengen area | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Sweden | 3 months after leaving the Schengen area | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Switzerland | 6 months from entry | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Turkey | 6 months after arrival | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland) | Valid for your whole stay | Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) required before you fly | State Dept. |
| The Holy Land and the Middle East | |||
| Egypt | 6 months | Visa required, 30-day visa on arrival, paid in U.S. dollars cash | State Dept. |
| Israel | 90 days at entry | ETA-IL required before you fly | State Dept. |
| Palestinian Territories, Bethlehem | As for Israel, entered through Israel | No separate authorization, you enter through Israel | State Dept. |
| Jordan | 6 months after arrival | Visa required, on arrival or online in advance | State Dept. |
| Lebanon | 90 days after arrival | Visa required, apply before you travel | State Dept. |
| The Americas | |||
| Argentina | Valid for your whole stay | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Canada | Valid at entry | Not needed for 180 days or less | State Dept. |
| Mexico | Valid at entry | Not needed for 180 days or less | State Dept. |
| Peru | 6 months from entry | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| Asia | |||
| India | 6 months | Visa or e-Tourist Visa required before you fly | State Dept. |
| Japan | Valid for your whole stay | Not needed for 90 days or less | State Dept. |
| South Korea | Valid at entry, no minimum | Not needed for 90 days or less. K-ETA required from 1 January 2027 | State Dept. |
| Vietnam | 6 months after arrival | Visa required, apply for an e-visa before you travel | State Dept. |
No match. Try the country name in English, or see the questions below.
Checked against the U.S. State Department on 18 September 2026. Entry rules change, so we confirm the requirements for your trip in your pre-pilgrimage letter.
Entry rules are tightening across our destinations. These are the changes that affect pilgrims now or soon.
The European Entry/Exit System now registers every non-European traveller at the first Schengen border, with fingerprints and a photograph. There is nothing to apply for, but the first crossing takes longer, so allow extra time.
The European Union plans to launch ETIAS, an online travel authorization for Americans visiting Schengen countries, in late 2026. Once it starts, you will apply online before you travel. We will tell every group what to do when the date is confirmed.
U.S. passport holders are exempt from the Korean Electronic Travel Authorization until 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027 it is required before you fly.
The UK Electronic Travel Authorization and Israel’s ETA-IL are both required now. Each is a short online application, approved in advance, linked to your passport.
At least six months after the day you return home. That covers every country Canterbury travels to. Some countries ask for less, such as three months in most of Europe, but six months means you never need to check.
Airlines check the rules of your destination at the check-in counter, and they can refuse to board you if your passport falls short. The problem is found at the airport, not at the border, which is why it is worth checking months ahead.
No. For the Schengen countries your passport must have been issued within the last ten years, even if the expiry date is still in the future. Renew it before you travel.
Have at least two blank pages. Several countries require one or two for entry stamps, and a full passport can be refused.
For most of Europe, Mexico, Canada, Japan and Peru, no. The United Kingdom and Israel need an electronic travel authorization, and Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, India and Vietnam need a visa. The table above shows each country, and we confirm what your trip needs before you travel.
The rules on this page are for U.S. passports. For any other passport, use Sherpa’s free entry requirements checker, linked below, and tell us when you register so we can help.
Travelling on another passport? Check Sherpa’s free entry requirements tool. More answers in the Pilgrim Support Center, the travel adapter guide, and the full packing list in Before You Travel.