Visa Basics
Important: Requirements listed are for EU/Schengen passport holders as of 2025. Rules change frequently — always check official embassy or government websites before departure.
Entry Types
Visa-free — No advance application. Arrive, show passport, get stamped. Easiest option. Countries: Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, most of South America and Europe.
Visa on Arrival (VOA) — Pay at the airport/border. Bring passport photos and USD cash. Queue: 15–45 min. Countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos.
e-Visa / ETA — Apply online before travel (1–5 business days). Print or save approval to your phone. More convenient than VOA. Countries: Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Canada.
Universal Tips
- Always have 6+ months passport validity from date of entry
- Carry 2 spare passport photos (for VOA and unexpected requirements)
- Have return/onward tickets ready (airlines and immigration check)
- Keep digital and paper copies of all documents
- Download e-Visas/ETAs AND print them — some countries check paper
- Bring USD cash for VOA countries (crisp, new bills preferred)
- Allow 3–5 business days for e-Visa processing
Pro tip: Only use official .gov domains to apply. Third-party "visa services" charge inflated fees and some are outright scams — especially for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka.
Asia & Oceania
Thirteen destinations ranging from instant visa-free stamps (Japan, Thailand) to online applications (Australia, Vietnam). Southeast Asia is the most accessible region — most countries offer either visa-free or cheap visa-on-arrival entry.
ETA required — ~€15, 90 days per visit, valid 12 months
Cost~€15 processing fee (via ETA app)
Stay90 days per visit, multiple entries
ExtendNot extendable — leave and re-enter
ApplyAustralian ETA app (instant)
💡 Apply before arrival. The app is free; the processing fee is charged within. Save the approval email — some airlines ask to see it.
Two options: VOA at border (€28) or e-Visa online (€36). Both give 30 days.
Cost€28 (VOA) / €36 (e-Visa)
Stay30 days, extendable once (+30 days, ~€40)
Extend+30 days at immigration office (~€40)
Applyevisa.gov.kh (3 business days)
💡 e-Visa skips the queue; VOA is fine with passport photo and USD cash. Avoid third-party visa sites — scams are common.
VOA recommended — €32 for 30 days (extendable). Free visa-free also available but NOT extendable.
Cost€32 (VOA) / free (visa-free, not extendable)
Stay30 days
ExtendVOA: +30 days at immigration (~€28). Free entry: not extendable.
Applye-VOA online or pay at airport
💡 VOA is worth it for flexibility. Use a visa agent in Bali for extensions — saves hours of hassle. Bring passport photos.
No visa needed — 90 days visa-free on arrival
CostFree
Stay90 days
ExtendNot extendable — leave and re-enter
ApplyNone needed. Visit Japan Web optional.
💡 One of the easiest entries in Asia. Visit Japan Web speeds up immigration. Keep your landing card slip — needed at exit.
VOA at airport/border — €35–40, 30 days
Cost€35–40 (varies by nationality)
Stay30 days
Extend€2/day at immigration office
Applylaoevisa.gov.la or at border
💡 Have exact USD amount ready (change is rare). Passport photo required. Land borders can be slower than airports.
No visa needed — 90 days visa-free on arrival
CostFree
Stay90 days
ExtendNot easily extendable (border run common)
ApplyNone needed. MDAC pre-registration recommended.
💡 Fill out MDAC online before arrival for faster processing. 90 days is one of the longest visa-free stays in the region.
NZeTA required — NZ$17 (app) / NZ$23 (web) + IVL ~€28
Cost~€45 total (NZeTA + IVL levy)
StayUp to 90 days per visit
ExtendNot extendable
ApplyNZeTA app (72h processing)
💡 Use the app (cheaper than website). Valid for 2 years, multiple entries. IVL is mandatory and separate from the NZeTA fee.
No visa needed — 30 days visa-free, extendable up to 36 months
CostFree
Stay30 days
ExtendUp to 36 months at Bureau of Immigration (~€30–50/extension)
ApplyNone needed. e-Travel pre-registration.
💡 Very generous extension policy. Have return/onward ticket ready (airlines strictly check). Extensions easy at any BI office.
No visa needed — 30 days visa-free on arrival
CostFree
Stay30 days
ExtendNot easily extendable — plan dates carefully
ApplyNone needed. SGAC online 3 days before.
💡 Fill out SG Arrival Card online before arrival. One of the most orderly immigration processes anywhere.
No visa needed — 90 days visa-free (K-ETA currently waived)
CostFree (K-ETA waived for many EU countries)
Stay90 days
ExtendNot easily extendable
ApplyNone currently. K-ETA if reinstated (~€9).
💡 K-ETA has been suspended/reinstated multiple times. Verify current status before booking.
ETA required — €45–50, 30 days, extendable to 90
Cost€45–50
Stay30 days
ExtendTo 90 days at Dept. of Immigration, Colombo (~€25)
Applyeta.gov.lk (24–48h processing)
💡 Apply online before travel (smoother than arrival visa). Double-entry ETA available for multi-country trips. Print your approval.
No visa needed — 60 days visa-free, extendable to 90
CostFree
Stay60 days (extended from 30 in mid-2024)
Extend+30 days at any immigration office (€16)
ApplyNone needed. Passport stamped on arrival.
💡 60-day visa-free is recent (2024) — verify it's still in effect. Extension is easy: bring 2 photos + TM30 form from your accommodation.
e-Visa recommended — €23 for 90 days. Also 45-day visa-free for many EU countries.
Cost€23 (e-Visa) / free (45-day visa-free)
Stay90 days (e-Visa) / 45 days (visa-free)
ExtendExtendable at immigration agencies
💡 e-Visa gives 90 vs 45 days — worth it. Choose multiple-entry if visiting Cambodia/Laos mid-trip. Use official site only.
South America
South America is visa-friendly. All six destinations offer visa-free entry for EU passport holders, typically 90 days. Colombia stands out with easy extensions to 180 days.
No visa needed — 90 days visa-free within any 180-day period
CostFree
Stay90 days (within 180-day period)
ExtendNot easily extendable (border run to Uruguay common)
ApplyNone needed. Passport stamped on arrival.
💡 Quick border run to Uruguay resets the clock. Reciprocity fee was abolished for EU citizens years ago.
No visa needed — 90 days visa-free, extendable to 180
CostFree
Stay90 days
Extend+90 days at Federal Police office (~€40)
ApplyNone needed. Federal Police for extensions.
💡 Rules change frequently — verify current status. Extension at Federal Police is straightforward but slow. Yellow fever cert may be checked.
No visa needed — 90 days visa-free on arrival
CostFree
Stay90 days
ExtendNot easily extendable (border run to Argentina common)
ApplyNone needed. PDI tourist card issued on arrival.
💡 The PDI card is your proof of legal entry — keep it safe, you need it to leave Chile. Santiago airport immigration is fast.
No visa needed — 90 days visa-free, extendable to 180
CostFree
Stay90 days (extendable to 180)
ExtendEasy at Migración Colombia (~€35)
ApplyNone needed. Check-Mig pre-registration required.
💡 One of the most generous entries in South America. Extensions are straightforward — apply online or at any Migración office.
No visa needed — visa-free on arrival (officer decides duration: 30–183 days)
CostFree
Stay30–183 days (officer decides)
ExtendNot extendable — leave and re-enter
ApplyNone needed. Migraciones app for digital card.
💡 Ask politely for 90+ days — officers sometimes give only 30. Keep your Tarjeta Andina safe.
No visa needed — 90 days visa-free, but entry can be complicated
💡 Check travel advisories before planning. Many airlines have suspended routes. Bring USD cash — currency situation is complex.
Central America & Caribbean
Four destinations with some of the longest visa-free stays available. Mexico and Panama both grant 180 days, Barbados an exceptional 6 months. Only Cuba requires advance purchase of a tourist card.
No visa needed — 6 months visa-free on arrival
CostFree
Stay6 months
ExtendAt immigration office (rarely needed)
ApplyNone needed. Immigration info.
💡 One of the most generous entries anywhere. Barbados Welcome Stamp (digital nomad visa) available for 12 months.
Tourist card required — €22–25, purchase from airline before departure
Cost€22–25
Stay30 days
Extend+30 days at immigration office (~€25)
ApplyBuy from airline at check-in/gate. Consulate info.
💡 Card colour varies by nationality — verify you get the correct one. Health insurance mandatory. Bring cash — international cards often don't work.
No visa needed — 180-day FMM tourist permit on arrival
CostFree (air) / small fee (land)
Stay180 days
ExtendNot extendable — leave and re-enter
ApplyNone needed. FMM issued on arrival. INM info.
💡 180 days is one of the longest visa-free stays available. Keep the paper FMM form — losing it means fines at departure.
North America
Canada requires an eTA for air travel — cheap, quick, and valid for 5 years. One of the simplest electronic authorizations to obtain.
eTA required for air travel — CAD$7 (~€5), usually instant approval
💡 Valid for 5 years or until passport expires. Not needed for land or sea entry — air only. Have accommodation details ready.
Africa
All three African destinations offer visa-free entry for EU passport holders with 90-day stays. Morocco, Namibia, and South Africa are straightforward — just show up with a valid passport.
No visa needed — 90 days visa-free on arrival
CostFree
Stay90 days (within 180-day period)
ExtendNot easily extendable
ApplyNone needed. Entry form on arrival. Consulate info.
💡 Very easy entry. Fill out the small entry form on the plane to save time at immigration.
No visa needed — up to 90 days visa-free on arrival
CostFree
StayUp to 90 days (officer decides)
ExtendAt Ministry of Home Affairs, Windhoek
ApplyNone needed. Home Affairs for extensions.
💡 Officer stamps your passport with days granted — ask for 90 if needed. Yellow fever cert required from endemic areas.
No visa needed — 90 days visa-free on arrival
CostFree
Stay90 days
ExtendAt Home Affairs office (~€15)
ApplyNone needed. Home Affairs for extensions.
💡 Return ticket and accommodation proof frequently checked. Yellow fever cert mandatory from endemic countries. Children need unabridged birth certs.
Europe
Both European destinations are EU/Schengen members with full freedom of movement for EU citizens. No visa, no permit, no time limit — just bring your passport or national ID card.
EU/Schengen — unlimited stay, live and work freely
💡 Register at local anagrafe (registry) if staying 3+ months. EHIC provides healthcare coverage.
Practical Info
Extension Offices
If you need to extend your stay, here are the main immigration offices in popular cities:
- Bangkok, Thailand: Immigration Bureau, Chaeng Watthana Government Complex (bring 2 photos, passport copies, TM30 form)
- Bali, Indonesia: Immigration Office in Denpasar or Singaraja (use an agent; ~€50 total)
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Immigration Department, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St (or use a visa agent)
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Department of Immigration, Street 110 (bring passport photo)
- Manila, Philippines: Bureau of Immigration, Intramuros (or any BI satellite office)
- Colombo, Sri Lanka: Dept. of Immigration, Battaramulla (bring photos + proof of funds)
Pro tip: Using a visa agent costs €10–30 extra but saves hours of queuing and paperwork. Ask your accommodation for recommendations.
Official Application Links
⚠️ Warning: Only use official .gov domains listed below. Third-party "visa services" charge inflated fees and some are outright scams.
- Australia ETA: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Cambodia e-Visa: evisa.gov.kh
- Canada eTA: canada.ca/eTA
- Indonesia e-VOA: molina.imigrasi.go.id
- Japan Visit Web: vjw.digital.go.jp (optional)
- Laos e-Visa: laoevisa.gov.la
- Malaysia MDAC: imigresen-online.imi.gov.my
- New Zealand NZeTA: immigration.govt.nz
- South Korea K-ETA: k-eta.go.kr (verify if required)
- Sri Lanka ETA: eta.gov.lk
- Vietnam e-Visa: evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn