When Anwar Yafai, a systems engineer in Maryland with Lockheed Martin, visited his grandfather in India in 2007, obtaining a visa was straightforward. He went to the Indian embassy in Manhattan, submitted his application and passport, and returned later the same day to find a new stamp.
“It was chaotic,” Yafai recalls, “but it was quick and relatively painless.”
When he planned another trip to India in January, he expected a similar process. What he didn’t know was that in July 2013 the Indian government had switched its visa-processing contractor from Travisa to New Delhi–based BLS International. Under the new rules, applications dropped off in person are supposed to be processed in three to five days; mailed applications in seven to nine days.
Yafai mailed his application thinking he had ample time, yet two weeks passed without word. “Getting someone on the phone to get an update was extremely difficult,” he says. He finally received the visa roughly a month after sending his paperwork, with little buffer before his flight. Others have had worse luck: online complaints about BLS International describe lost passports and professors missing conferences because processing stretched to six weeks or more.
With online forms and digital filing, obtaining a visa might seem simple. In practice, lengthy procedures and inefficient systems often create frustration. That has driven demand for visa-expediting agencies that complete paperwork and secure visas quickly, sometimes overnight. Fees typically range from $100 to $400 per visa, a cost many travelers consider worthwhile to avoid delays like Yafai experienced.
Several reputable expediting services operate nationwide, and many travel agents work with visa providers. If you use a travel agent, they may already handle much of the process for you.
To determine whether you need a visa, consult official government guidance before you travel. Many countries allow U.S. citizens visa-free entry—currently dozens across Western Europe, the Caribbean and other regions—and some permit visas on arrival. Rules change, so always verify requirements before departure. If a visa is required before arrival and you don’t have one, you may be denied boarding or entry.
Common requirements include a passport valid for at least six months beyond travel dates and a passport in good condition with sufficient blank pages. Some nations reject applications for damaged passports, and several require two blank pages for stamps and visas. Vaccination certificates are often necessary when traveling to parts of Africa, Asia or South America that require proof of yellow fever or other immunizations. Certain countries, such as Russia, typically request confirmation of accommodations and flight details as part of the application.
Visa fees vary widely, commonly between $50 and $250. Reciprocity fees or special tariffs can raise costs—for example, a $160 fee for Brazil tied to reciprocity rules, or Bhutan’s daily tariff designed to limit mass tourism. Some lower-income countries also charge relatively high visa fees.
Visa policies do not change frequently, but they do change, so check with the destination’s embassy or consulate before traveling. For example, there have been instances when cruise passengers were unable to disembark because a country had recently updated its entry rules.
If you travel frequently or live abroad, you may be able to apply for visas from other countries where you’re temporarily located. For instance, if you’re on a business trip in İzmir or İstanbul and need a Russian visa, you can often obtain it through a local consulate or accredited agency.
Below is a concise overview of visa information for several popular destinations that often require visas for U.S. citizens.
AUSTRALIA:
U.S. citizens can apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) online. The ETA is usually issued quickly and is electronically linked to your passport rather than stamped in it. The fee is modest, around $18.
BRAZIL:
Processing times can be long, so apply at least a month in advance. The fee is $160, and applicants typically must show proof of a return flight to the United States.
CHINA:
A single- or multiple-entry visa generally costs about $140. If you plan to travel between mainland China and Hong Kong or Macau, a multiple-entry visa is required. Allow up to two months for processing in some cases.
INDIA:
India has been updating its visa processes and moving services online; requirements can change. At present, applications through an Indian embassy or consulate may take substantial time. Expect fees in the range of $76 and allow at least several weeks to two months for processing.
KENYA:
Single-entry visas for many visitors can be obtained upon arrival at Kenyan airports. The fee is approximately $50, but verify current rules before travel.
RUSSIA:
Russian visa applications can be detailed, though turnaround is often relatively quick—typically about two weeks. Fees start around $140 depending on the length and type of visa. Proof of hotel reservations or an invitation is usually required.
TURKEY:
Turkey requires most travelers to obtain an e-visa prior to arrival; visas on arrival are no longer generally available. Apply through the official e-visa system. The fee is about $20, but verify current rates and eligibility.
VIETNAM:
Visa fees range roughly from $100 to $180 depending on single- or multiple-entry and the length of stay. Embassy processing can take a month, though online services can speed the process by issuing an approval letter that allows you to collect the official visa on arrival at a Vietnamese airport.