How long can US citizens stay in the Middle East and Africa without a visa?
The short answer
It depends on the country. Morocco, Tunisia, South Africa, Botswana and Zambia allow US citizens up to 90 days without a visa, Mauritius allows up to 60 days, and Seychelles needs only an online Travel Authorisation. Israel and Kenya need an electronic authorisation, while Egypt, Jordan, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and the UAE offer visas on arrival or online. Stay limits and entry rules change, so check the official page for your destination before you travel.
Gulf states
The Gulf is the area where official pages differ most, and some do not state a maximum stay, so check each government page before you book. Most Gulf states ask for a passport valid for six months from the date of entry.
- United Arab Emirates: no advance visa application, a visa is issued on arrival. The US State Department says US passport holders can stay up to 90 days within a 180 day period. Passport valid at least 6 months beyond your arrival date.
- Qatar: US citizens can get a visa on arrival, with a stay of up to 90 days. The US State Department says the visa is valid 90 days from issue with multiple entries in that period, and that visa on arrival needs six months of passport validity and a return or onward ticket.
- Saudi Arabia: visa required. US citizens can apply for an e-visa before travel or get a visa on arrival. Tourist visas are generally for a 90 day stay, with no more than 180 days in a 12 month period. Passport valid 6 months beyond arrival with 2 blank pages.
- Bahrain: visa required, and US citizens can apply on the official eVisa site or on arrival. The US State Department describes a 2 week tourist visa. Passport valid at least 6 months beyond arrival with one blank page per stamp.
- Oman: tourist visa required, available online through the Royal Oman Police E-Visa website or on arrival at airports and land crossings, with proof of funds and an onward or return ticket. Passport valid 6 months beyond arrival with one blank page per stamp.
Levant and North Africa
Israel now requires an electronic authorisation, Jordan and Egypt issue visas on arrival, and Morocco and Tunisia allow visa-free visits for US citizens.
- Israel: ETA-IL electronic travel authorisation required before travel, covering tourism or business stays of up to 90 days. Passport valid 90 days at entry with one blank page.
- Jordan: visa required, issued on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport and most land crossings, or via the Ministry of Interior e-application. The Jordan Pass site says the single entry visa is valid for 1 month, with the 40 JD fee waived for Jordan Pass buyers who stay at least 2 nights. Passport valid 6 months beyond arrival. No visas on arrival at the King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge.
- Egypt: visa required. US citizens can get a 30 day tourist visa on arrival or apply for an e-visa through the official portal. Passport valid 6 months with at least one blank page.
- Morocco: no visa for visits of 90 days or less. Passport valid with at least 6 months remaining at entry and one blank page per stamp.
- Tunisia: no visa for 90 days or less, and a residence permit is needed for longer stays. Passport valid 6 months beyond arrival with one blank page per stamp.
Southern Africa
Botswana, South Africa and Zambia allow visa-free stays of up to 90 days, while Namibia requires a visa. Southern African countries are strict about blank pages, so check how many your passport has.
- South Africa: no visa for stays of up to 90 days, and the Department of Home Affairs lists the United States as exempt for 90 days. Passport valid 30 days after your planned departure, with 2 consecutive completely blank visa pages.
- Botswana: no visa for tourist or business stays of up to 90 days. Passport valid 6 months beyond arrival and beyond departure, with 3 blank pages. Emergency passports are not accepted for visa free entry.
- Zambia: no visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days per calendar year. Passport valid 6 months beyond arrival with 3 blank pages.
- Namibia: visa required for US citizens, with the online visa on arrival portal recommended and visas also available on arrival at Windhoek, Walvis Bay and large border crossings such as Katima Mulilo and Ngoma. Passport valid 6 months beyond arrival with 3 blank passport visa pages.
East and West Africa
Kenya requires an eTA, and Tanzania, Rwanda and Ghana require a visa. Check the fee and stay length on the official application site before you pay.
- Kenya: an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) is required before arrival. The Embassy of Kenya says the eTA is valid for travel within 90 days of issuance and that the length of stay is determined at the point of entry. Passport valid 6 months beyond arrival with 2 blank pages.
- Tanzania: visa required, available on arrival or as an e-visa. Tanzania Immigration says US passport holders visiting for tourism must apply for the multiple entry visa, which has a maximum consecutive stay of three months. Passport valid 6 months beyond arrival with one blank page per stamp.
- Rwanda: visa required. A 30 day tourist visa can be obtained on arrival, at 50 USD single entry or 70 USD multiple entry, or arranged in advance through the Embassy of Rwanda. Passport valid 6 months beyond arrival with one blank page.
- Ghana: visa required, issued by a Ghanaian diplomatic mission or consulate before travel. You may be denied boarding or denied entry at a Ghana port without it. Passport valid 6 months beyond arrival with one blank page per stamp.
Indian Ocean islands
Both Indian Ocean destinations are visa-free for US citizens, but each has its own pre-arrival paperwork.
- Mauritius: no visa for stays of 60 days or less. Passport valid for the duration of your stay with 1 blank page per stamp, proof of onward travel and sufficient funds, and the All-in-One Travel Digital Form completed within 72 hours before arrival.
- Seychelles: no visa, but a Travel Authorisation must be obtained before arrival (standard fee EUR 10.90 per the US State Department). Seychelles Immigration says the visitor's permit is initially granted for up to three months. Passport valid for the duration of your stay.
Check before you travel
Stay limits and entry rules change, and official pages sometimes disagree with each other. Check the destination government page and the US State Department country page close to your departure date, and confirm any fee on the official application site.
Sources: US State Department: United Arab Emirates, UAE government portal: entry permit or visa, Visit Qatar: visas, US State Department: Qatar, US State Department: Oman, US State Department: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain eVisa: on arrival visa countries, US State Department: Bahrain, US State Department: Jordan, Jordan Pass FAQs, US State Department: Israel, Israel Population and Immigration Authority: ETA-IL, US State Department: Egypt, US State Department: Morocco, US State Department: Tunisia, South Africa Department of Home Affairs: exempt countries, US State Department: South Africa, US State Department: Kenya, Embassy of Kenya in Washington: eTA, US State Department: Tanzania, Tanzania Immigration: eVisa guidelines, US State Department: Ghana, US State Department: Rwanda, US State Department: Mauritius, US State Department: Seychelles, Seychelles Immigration and Civil Status: visitor's permit, US State Department: Botswana, US State Department: Namibia, Namibia Ministry of Home Affairs: visa information, US State Department: Zambia. Read 5 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Which Middle East and Africa destinations let US citizens stay visa-free?
Based on the official pages checked, Morocco, Tunisia, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Mauritius and Seychelles do not require a visa for short tourist stays. Seychelles also needs a Travel Authorisation, and Mauritius needs an online travel form. Stay limits are 90 days for Morocco, Tunisia, South Africa, Botswana and Zambia, 60 days for Mauritius, and the Seychelles visitor's permit is initially granted for up to three months.
Do US citizens need an eVisa or authorisation for Israel?
Yes. Israel requires an approved ETA-IL before travel. The US State Department says it covers tourism or business stays of up to 90 days, and your passport must be valid for at least 90 days at entry.
Can US citizens get a visa on arrival in Egypt, Jordan or Rwanda?
Yes. Egypt offers a 30 day tourist visa on arrival or an eVisa. Jordan issues visas on arrival at Queen Alia airport and most land crossings. Rwanda offers a 30 day tourist visa on arrival. Fees and rules change, so check the official pages.
How much passport validity do I need for these destinations?
Six months beyond arrival is the most common requirement on this page, for example Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Rwanda and Ghana. Israel asks for 90 days at entry and South Africa for 30 days after departure. Several African countries also require 2 or 3 blank pages. See each country entry for the exact rule.
Does Kenya require an eTA for US citizens?
Yes. Kenya requires an electronic travel authorisation before arrival. The Kenyan Embassy in Washington says the eTA is valid for travel within 90 days of issue and the length of stay is decided at the point of entry.
Does South Africa let US citizens stay for 90 days?
Yes. The South African Department of Home Affairs lists the United States as exempt from a visa for 90 days. The US State Department says your passport must be valid for 30 days after your planned departure and have two consecutive blank visa pages.
Do US citizens need a visa for Namibia?
Yes. The US State Department says US citizens need a visa for Namibia, with an online visa on arrival portal recommended and visas also available on arrival at Windhoek, Walvis Bay and large border crossings. Check the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs for the current fee and stay length.
Why do official sources sometimes disagree on visa length?
Stay limits and entry rules change, and some official pages are updated more slowly than others. For example, the US State Department says Qatar's visa on arrival is valid 90 days from issue, while Visit Qatar says two years. Always check the destination government page and the US State Department page before you book.