How long can US citizens stay in the Americas and Caribbean without a visa?
The short answer
Most of the Americas lets US citizens in without a visa for tourism. Typical limits are 90 days in much of South America, 180 days in Mexico and Costa Rica, six months in Canada, Barbados and the Cayman Islands, and up to eight months in the Bahamas. Aruba allows 30 days, and the Dominican Republic charges an extra fee if you stay past 30 days. Brazil is the big exception: US citizens need a visa approved before they travel. Stay limits and entry rules change, so check the official page before you book.
How to read these limits
The figures below come from destination government pages where we could read them, and from the US State Department pages where the destination site was blocked or silent. Border officers can decide the exact number of days, so treat the headline figure as a maximum, not a promise.
Many countries also ask for a return or onward ticket, proof of funds and an online arrival form. Passport validity rules vary a lot: some countries only need the passport to be valid for your stay, others want six months. Stay limits and entry rules change, so check the official page for your destination before you travel.
North America
Canada and Mexico are the two easiest destinations for US citizens, but the paperwork is different.
- Canada: most visitors can stay up to 6 months, and a border services officer may allow less or more. US citizens are exempt from the eTA and must carry proper identification such as a valid US passport. The State Department says no visa is needed for stays under 180 days and the passport must be valid at entry.
- Mexico: no visa for tourism, and immigration officials decide how long you can stay, up to 180 days. You need an FMM entry permit (the digital FMMD is issued at airports), and a passport book, not a card, to fly in. The passport must be valid at entry with one blank page per stamp for air travellers, and you should keep the exit portion of the FMM.
Central America
- Costa Rica: no visa is required for 180 days or fewer, according to the State Department, and a return ticket is required. The passport must be valid for the period of the stay. The Costa Rica tourism board confirms visa-free entry for US citizens but gives no number of days.
- Guatemala: no tourist visa for US citizens, and tourists can stay up to 90 days. You must fill out an electronic immigration and customs declaration before entering and exiting. The passport must be valid at the time of entry, and overstays are fined in cash at the airport.
- Honduras: no visa is required for 90 days or less, and a return or onward ticket is required. The State Department asks for a passport with 6 months validity beyond arrival and one blank page per stamp.
South America
Most South American countries on this list allow 90 days. Brazil is different and needs a visa approved before travel.
- Colombia: no visa for US citizens, and the tourist permit is usually valid for 90 days. You complete the free online Check-Mig form before travel. The tourism site recommends at least six months of passport validity, and the State Department says the passport must be valid for the duration of your stay and Colombia may deny entry without a return ticket. Cumulative stays of 180 days or less per calendar year are also visa-free per the State Department.
- Peru: US citizens do not need a Peruvian tourist visa. The maximum stay the authorities grant is 90 days and it cannot be extended. The passport must have a minimum validity of six months.
- Chile: no visa for tourist stays of 90 days or less. You receive a Tourist Card on arrival and must return it when you leave. The passport must be valid for the duration of your stay with one blank page minimum per stamp, and the stay can be extended for another 90 days for 100 USD at the Chilean Immigration Office.
- Argentina: no visa for visits of 90 days or less. The State Department says the passport must be valid at the time of entry and you need at least 1 blank page for entry and exit stamps.
- Ecuador: a visa is required for stays longer than a total of 90 days in any consecutive 12-month period. The State Department asks for 6 months of passport validity beyond arrival and one blank page per stamp.
- Uruguay: US citizens with an ordinary passport do not need a visa, according to the Ministry of the Interior table, which gives no number of days. The State Department says 90 days or less and a passport with 6 months validity beyond arrival.
- Brazil: a visa is required for US citizens and must be approved before you travel. The State Department says the passport must be valid for one month at entry with at least one blank page per stamp.
The Caribbean and Atlantic
Stay limits vary widely across the islands, from 30 days to eight months. Several islands also require an online arrival form.
- Dominican Republic: US citizens do not need a tourist visa, and staying longer than 30 days means paying an extra fee on departure. You need a return ticket, an address in the country, proof of funds and the free electronic entry and exit form. The tourism site says a temporary passport-validity exception runs to 31 December 2026, but the embassy FAQ lists an older window ending 30 November 2025, so confirm which applies.
- Jamaica: US citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. The passport must be valid at entry and exit, you must show a return or onward ticket, and all air and cruise arrivals must complete the online C5 Passenger Declaration Form.
- The Bahamas: US passport holders do not need a visa for a stay of up to eight months. The passport must be valid for at least six months and passport cards are not accepted. You need a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds or a local sponsor. Admittance is not automatic.
- Bermuda: no visa is required for 90 days or less per the State Department, and your passport must be valid at entry. The Bermuda Tourism Authority says all visitors need a return or onward ticket and air travellers must complete the Bermuda Arrival Card.
- Barbados: no visa is required for visits of 6 months or less per the State Department, which also asks for a passport valid at entry. The Barbados Immigration Department says the passport must be valid for the duration of your trip, and you need a return ticket, an intended address and evidence of personal support, and the Immigration and Customs Form opens 72 hours before arrival.
- Aruba: US nationals do not need a visa, and the State Department gives 30 days or less. Complete the online ED Card within 7 days before travel; a USD 20 sustainability fee applies to air arrivals. The passport must be valid for your whole stay, and six months of validity beyond travel dates is recommended.
- Cayman Islands: visitors may be allowed to land for up to six months. The passport should be valid beyond the date of your return ticket, you must have a paid return or onward ticket, and you may be asked for proof of funds. The State Department says no tourist visa is required for US citizens.
Sources: Canada.ca: Electronic travel authorization facts (US citizens exempt), IRCC help centre: How long can I stay in Canada as a visitor?, US State Department: Canada, US State Department: Mexico, Mexico National Institute of Migration: FMM, US State Department: Costa Rica, Visit Costa Rica (official tourism board): FAQs, US State Department: Guatemala, US State Department: Honduras, Colombia Travel (official tourism): Requirements and documentation, US State Department: Colombia, PROMPERU: Peru visa and entry requirements, US State Department: Chile, US State Department: Argentina, US State Department: Ecuador, Uruguay Ministry of the Interior: Visa admission regime, US State Department: Uruguay, US State Department: Brazil, Dominican Republic official tourism: Travel requirements, Dominican Republic embassy in the US: FAQ, Visit Jamaica: Entry requirements, Bahamas Immigration Department: Entry requirements, Bahamas Immigration Department: Before your arrival, Government of Bermuda: Bermuda entry visas, Bermuda Tourism Authority: Passports, immigration and customs, US State Department: Bermuda, Barbados Immigration Department: Visitor information, US State Department: Barbados, Aruba Tourism Authority: Passports and visas, US State Department: Aruba, Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control: Entry requirements, US State Department: Cayman Islands. Read 5 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Which Americas destinations let US citizens stay the longest without a visa?
The Bahamas allows up to eight months for US passport holders. Canada, Barbados and the Cayman Islands allow up to about six months, and Mexico and Costa Rica allow up to 180 days. The border officer may give you less, so check the date on your entry stamp or permit.
Do US citizens need a visa for Brazil in 2026?
Yes. The State Department says a visa is required for US citizens and must be approved before you travel. Check the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your nearest Brazilian consulate for the current type, fee and processing time.
Do US citizens need an eTA to enter Canada?
No. Canada.ca says US citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement and must carry proper identification such as a valid US passport. Most visitors can stay up to 6 months, and a border services officer sets the exact date.
How long can I stay in Mexico as a US tourist?
The immigration authority can allow up to 180 days, but may give a shorter period, so check the date on your FMM or entry stamp. You need an FMM entry permit, and a passport book is required for air entry. Keep the stamped portion until you leave.
Which countries need six months of passport validity?
Peru asks for a passport valid for at least six months, and the Bahamas asks for at least six months. The State Department lists six months beyond arrival for Ecuador and Honduras. Others, such as Canada, Jamaica and Argentina, only need the passport to be valid at entry or for your stay, but airlines may apply stricter rules, so six months of validity is the safest habit.
Which Caribbean destinations need an online arrival form?
Jamaica requires the online C5 Passenger Declaration Form, Barbados requires the online Immigration and Customs Form (it opens 72 hours before arrival), Aruba requires the online ED Card and a USD 20 sustainability fee for air arrivals, Bermuda requires the Bermuda Arrival Card for air travellers, and the Dominican Republic requires the free electronic entry and exit form.
Where should I check before I book?
Check the destination government immigration or tourism page and the State Department page for your destination. Stay limits and entry rules change, so confirm the current rule close to your travel date.