For most people who live in fairly wealthy first world nations, visas have become mostly a thing of the past. People can travel between most major destinations without having to deal with complicated and expensive visa interviews/applications.
Of course, some nations continue to require foreign nationals to apply for visas even from wealthy nations.
There are two reasons for this:
1. Poor relations with the other nation
2. Expectations of reciprocity
In camp 1 you get countries like Iran, Venezuela and Russia requiring American citizens to apply for formal visas. In camp 2 you get countries like China who would favor a more open visa regime, but expect reciprocity. Unfortunately as the average income in China is quite below most first world nations, and Chinese nationals are often felt to be a risk for overstaying visas/illegal immigration; few first world nations have extended visa free travel to China - and so most of us are stuck applying for a visa if we want to visit.
You can check out the visa requirements of various countries here https://www.passportindex.org/
Of the 199 countries with differing visa regimes - my current mobility score with two passports and a visa is 180/199 (90%)
What about you guys? What places allow you visa free travel, and are there any destinations you wish had reciprocity?
Of course, some nations continue to require foreign nationals to apply for visas even from wealthy nations.
There are two reasons for this:
1. Poor relations with the other nation
2. Expectations of reciprocity
In camp 1 you get countries like Iran, Venezuela and Russia requiring American citizens to apply for formal visas. In camp 2 you get countries like China who would favor a more open visa regime, but expect reciprocity. Unfortunately as the average income in China is quite below most first world nations, and Chinese nationals are often felt to be a risk for overstaying visas/illegal immigration; few first world nations have extended visa free travel to China - and so most of us are stuck applying for a visa if we want to visit.
You can check out the visa requirements of various countries here https://www.passportindex.org/
Of the 199 countries with differing visa regimes - my current mobility score with two passports and a visa is 180/199 (90%)
What about you guys? What places allow you visa free travel, and are there any destinations you wish had reciprocity?
My map
Countries I need a visa for:
Afghanistan
Algeria
Benin
Bhutan
Cameroon
Chad
Congo
Eritrea
Liberia
Libya
Mali
Myanmar
Nauru
Niger
North Korea
Sudan
Syria
Turkmenistan
Yemen
Countries I need a visa for:
Afghanistan
Algeria
Benin
Bhutan
Cameroon
Chad
Congo
Eritrea
Liberia
Libya
Mali
Myanmar
Nauru
Niger
North Korea
Sudan
Syria
Turkmenistan
Yemen
