Passport & Visa Information
IMPORTANT: You are responsible for obtaining the proper travel documents for the destinations on your itinerary.
Passports: Your U.S. passport should be valid at least 6 months or longer beyond the dates of travel. Passport applications are available at most U.S. Post Offices, as well as at regional Passport Agencies. To learn how to apply for a U.S. Passport including expedited services, click here. Travelers requiring visas, whether obtained in advance or locally upon arrival, should ensure that their passport has unstamped visa pages. Passport Cards are NOT acceptable for international air travel.
Adults (Age 18 and above): Passports are valid for 10 years from their issue date.
Teens (Age 16 or 17): Applicants must provide evidence that their parents are aware they are applying. Passports are valid for 10 years from their issue date.
Children (Age 16 and under): Both parents/guardians must give approval and be present at the time of application. Passports are valid for 5 years from the issue date.
REAL ID: U.S. citizens and residents traveling domestically, including on domestic flights, will be required to carry REAL ID-compliant identification. A variety of documents are accepted for REAL ID, most notably a U.S. Passport. Not all state-issued ID cards are automatically REAL ID compliant. To review what documents are accepted, click here.
Children and Teens (Age 17 and under): REAL ID is not required when traveling domestically. Airline restrictions may apply.
Visas: If a visa is required and cannot be obtained upon arrival in your destination, you should make arrangements with the appropriate foreign consular representative, allowing enough time for mailing and processing. Alternatively, you may obtain a visa through a fee-based service such as GEN VISA. Please note that GEN VISA is unable to assist travelers who choose to apply for their visas directly.
Double Entry/ Multiple Entry Visas: If your itinerary involves entering a country, leaving and then later re-entering the same country, you may require a double-entry or multiple entry visa. Be sure to describe your itinerary clearly when contacting a foreign consular representative.
Transit Visas: In most situations, you will not need a visa if you are only visiting a country on a connecting flight. This is usually the case for travelers who are not staying in a country for more than 12 hours and/or are not leaving the airport. However, a country may require you to obtain a transit visa depending on your citizenship and flight schedule. When checking the entry requirements for countries on your itinerary, be sure to include those you are transiting through as well.
Entry Requirements for U.S. Passport Holders: Country details below are based on information obtained from the U.S. State Department. This information is subject to change. To check for updates, please check with the consular office of the countries to be visited and/or click here.
TSA PreCheck: U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents may opt to join the TSA PreCheck Program. This will allow travelers to save time and avoid lines when going through security at U.S. airports and not having to remove certain items from their luggage or person, such as shoes, belts, laptops, and liquids. Membership is valid for five years. The initial enrollment fee is $85, and the renewal fee is $70. For more information and to apply, please click here.
CBP Global Entry Program: U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents, and some foreign nationals who travel abroad often may opt to join the CBP Global Entry Program. In addition to gaining access to TSA PreCheck lines, program members will also gain access to Global Entry kiosks. This will save time and avoid lines when returning to the U.S. Membership is valid for five years, and the enrollment and renewal fee is $100. For more information and to apply, please click here.
Non U.S. Citizens: All information provided below pertains to U.S. passport holders only. Non-U.S. Citizens should check with the appropriate foreign consular representative.
Sea Cruise Travelers: Travelers on sea cruises should check carefully the requirements for each country to be visited on their sailing itinerary. Travelers without the correct documentation may be denied boarding at time of embarkation. Travelers may contact their sea cruise line directly for information but remain responsible to obtain any necessary visas.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Health, Safety, and Security are our top priorities: We maintain a strong network of tour managers, local offices, ground operators, and trusted partners to help us stay informed in the destinations where we operate. We closely monitor local situations, allowing us to make informed operational decisions to keep our tours running safely. While millions of people travel the world each year and enjoy safe and memorable experiences, it is important to remember that crimes against people and property can happen anywhere. To protect yourself, stay aware of your surroundings and avoid drawing unnecessary attention. As always, stay mindful of your personal safety and belongings, just as you would in your everyday environment.
US State Department Travel Advisories: The US State Department issues travel advisories for all countries with the most up-to-date travel advice regarding the countries you will be visiting. This site offers valuable information on topics such as safety and security, health precautions and medications, travel insurance, and additional tips for traveling abroad. If you reside outside the United States, please refer to your own government's travel advisory website for country-specific guidance. To review this, click here.
US Smart Traveler Enrollment Program: STEP is a free service to allow US citizens and nationals to log their trip abroad so they can receive email alerts from the embassy. Additionally, this will allow the State Department to contact you in case of an emergency. For more information, click here.
International Entry & Visa Requirements for U.S. Passport Holders
Countries listed below require specific passport and/or visa information in addition to a U.S. passport. All other countries (not listed) do not require extra identity forms but may have extra health requirements. For health care requirements, click here.
Making the Visa Process Easier: For some countries, especially China and Russia, obtaining a visa can be a difficult and time-consuming process. Gate 1 suggests using a fee-based service like GenVisa when applying for your visa. Compared to guests who apply on their own, guests who use a visa service are less likely to have their applications rejected requiring re-submission for additional information or to correct any errors. Because visa services review your application prior to submission and offer guidance on how to best complete your application, they are able to make the process easier based on their years of experience working with the various consulates.
Click a box below to view entry requirements:
Please note: Currently, the ETIAS is NOT in force and a new start date has not yet been announced. Once more information becomes available, this article will be updated. Currently, the expected start date is in the last quarter of 2026.
Countries that will require an ETIAS: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
Countries that will NOT require an ETIAS: Ireland
An e-visa is required. To complete the application, you must upload a digital copy of your passport and passport photo. Although not required, we recommend uploading your travel documents as well.
There are two options for obtaining your e-visa to Brazil.
Option 1: Apply by mail through GEN VISA, a fee-based service for obtaining a visa. Once all the required documents are collected, mail them to GEN VISA. They will then submit the application to the embassy or consulate on your behalf. This process generally takes 6 weeks to complete but can be delayed for various reasons. For more information and to download the visa kit, click here. Please note that GEN VISA is unable to assist travelers who choose to apply for their visas directly.
Option 2: Apply online directly through VFS Global. VFS Global is the official servicer for Brazilian e-visas. The cost of the e-visa is $80.90 paid online at the time of application. The process generally takes 5 business days to complete but can be delayed 10 or more days for various reasons. Once the application is approved, passengers will receive an email with a PDF confirmation. This PDF should be printed and kept with your travel documents, as these will be checked upon arrival. For more information and to apply, click here.
For passengers booked on the Mekong River Cruise: If your cruise starts in Vietnam, an E-Visa is not available and a visa upon arrival must be purchased. After embarkation, please contact the ship's front desk for assistance. If your cruise starts in Cambodia, both the visa upon arrival and the E-Visa are options. As stated above, we highly recommend applying for an E-Visa prior to departure.
Additionally, all travelers arriving by air must complete the Cambodia e-Arrival form prior to arrival. This form will ask for your passport, travel, and health information. This form must be completed within 7 days of arrival. Once completed, take a screenshot or download the provided QR code. This will be checked on arrival. For more information and to complete the form, click here.
- A visa is required. U.S. passport holders are required to provide documentation to support their visa application which includes (1) full passport name; (2) hotel names, addresses and phone numbers; and (3) confirmed airline reservations with ticket numbers. For hotel address and contact information, click here. Your airline ticket information will be provided to you in your documents upon receipt of your full payment and once airline tickets have been issued.
There are two options for obtaining your visa to China.
Option 1: Apply online and by mail through GEN VISA, a fee-based service for obtaining a visa. Once all the required documents are collected and completed, mail them to GEN VISA. They will then submit the application to the embassy or consulate on your behalf. This process generally takes 6 weeks to complete but can be delayed for various reasons. For more information and to download the visa kit, click here. Please note that GEN VISA is unable to assist travelers who choose to apply for their visas directly.
The visa application for China is complex and errors can cause delays, passengers may wish to use GEN VISA's White Glove Service. With this service, GEN VISA will complete the application for you in order to avoid errors. For more information, click here.
Option 2: Apply in person directly through the Chinese Embassy. Passengers who choose to apply for their visa directly with the embassy or consulate MUST apply in person. At this time there are five locations: the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., or the Consulate Generals in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. For information on your jurisdiction, click here. The cost of the visa is $140, and processing takes approximately 4 business days from the date it is submitted but can be delayed for various reasons.
Travelers must first complete the visa application online. The application is long, complex, and errors can cause delays. To complete the application, click here. Once the application is completed, schedule an appointment with the embassy or consulate for your regional jurisdiction. To make this appointment, click here. Your documents must be submitted and collected in person. For more information on the application process, click here.
Transit Without Visa for China: Travelers making flight connections in China to a 3rd country and desiring to stopover for up to 240 hours, you may be eligible for China's Transit Without Visa (TWOV) program. The duration of your visa-free stopover varies depending on your connecting airport. For more information about this, please click here.
If you are traveling to Tibet: For passengers who are also visiting Tibet, a group permit is required and will be obtained for you by Gate 1 Travel upon your final payment. At this time, permits may only be obtained for U.S. and Canadian passport holders. The cost of this permit is included in the package price. Important: please do not reference you are visiting Tibet on your China visa application as your application will be rejected by the Chinese authorities. Once you have obtained your visa, please upload a scanned, full color copy of your Chinese visa to your invoice no later than 45 days prior to your departure so you will be included on our group permit to Tibet.
If you are traveling to Hong Kong: A visa is not required.
Visa (Option 1): A digital e-visa must be purchased prior to arrival in Cuba. Upon purchasing the e-visa, you will receive a digital visa number and a receipt of proof, both of which must be presented when traveling. Please note that the cost for obtaining an e-visa is $85. To apply for the e-visa, clicking here. If you are departing in 2025, you must select "Educational Activities" as your OFAC Category. If you are departing in 2026, you must select "Support for the Cuban People" as your OFAC Category.
Visa (Option 2): Alternatively, an e-visa can be purchased on the day of departure at the airport's CTS "Cuba Ready" Kiosk. The kiosks are located adjacent to the American and Delta Airlines check-in desks and gates in Miami. "Cuba Ready" Kiosks are also available at the departure gates for passengers on connecting flights. You will receive an email with your digital visa number. The cost of an e-visa at the airport is $100.
Important: Cuban-born U.S. Citizens should contact Gate 1 immediately. Those who departed Cuba prior to December 31, 1970 will require a HE-11 visa (allow 8 weeks to process) or a Cuban passport (allow 4 months). Those who departed Cuba after January 1, 1971 will require a Cuban passport (allow 6-12 months for new requests or 2-4 months for renewals).
Customs and Health Declaration: Once you have received your digital visa number, you can complete the electronic Customs and Health Declaration Form. This form must be completed no more than 7 days prior to arrival. During the application process, you must provide your digital visa number. Failure to do so could lead to long waits on arrival. Once completed, print the form and accompanying QR code. This will be checked on arrival. For more information and to complete the form, click here.
Travel Affidavit: Additionally, all passengers must complete and electronically sign a Travel Affidavit prior to departure. Once completed, this form must be printed and kept with your travel documents. To complete the form, click here. When completing the Travel Affidavit, you will be asked to provide the OFAC Category and Travel Dates. The OFAC Category for tours departing in 2025 is "Educational Activities." The OFAC Category for tours departing in 2026 is "Support for the Cuban People." For the Travel Dates, please include the day, month, and year for your arrival and departure dates.
To complete the online application, click here to go to the Ghana Embassy in Washington, D.C., then click "Apply Online Now." Please note: if you are not in the United States, you will need to first access the application through the Ghana embassy in your country.
Please note: Travelers on our 13 Day Culture & Adventure in Belize & Guatemala; when crossing the land border, the traveler declaration form may be requested. If this situation arises, your Tour Manager will assist you.
Please note: Travelers staying over 30 days must apply for a 1-year visa 120 days prior to arrival. This visa allows multiple entries into India for a 1-year period from the date it was granted. Travelers may not stay in India for more than 180 days per year. Your visa must be valid for the full duration of your stay in India.
Additionally, all arriving travelers must complete an e-arrival form. This form must be completed within 3 days of arrival. During the transition period, a paper version of the form will still be available until March 2026. To complete the form, click here.
Please note: When obtaining an e-visa you will need to fill in the post code Jakarta (10310), Surakarta (57144), Yogyakarta (55281), Ubud (80571), and Sanur (80228).
Please note: When crossing the Israeli-Jordanian land border, there is a $55-65 exit fee. This fee is paid locally at the time of the border crossing. Travelers will be advised by their tour manager at the start of their tour how much the fee is and how to pay it.
1. Travelers who have an Amman arrival transfer booked through Gate 1 Travel, or travelers who have purchased pre-accommodations through Gate 1 Travel and have an arrival transfer booked. In order to obtain the visa, travelers must provide their full passport information and, if flights are not booked through Gate 1 Travel, complete flight details (arrival date and time, airline, and flight number) prior to departure. Visas cannot be arranged for clients who have purchased pre-nights independently.
2. Travelers entering Jordan at a land border crossing on an Israel & Jordan combination tour:
Gate 1 will arrange your visa free of charge. We will request your passport information which is needed at least 60 days prior to departure. Upon arrival in Jordan, either at the Amman or Aqaba Airports or at one of the land border crossings between Israel and Jordan, a local Gate 1 representative will provide you with a one-page letter (Visa Manifest) before you reach passport control. The Visa Manifest will include your full passport information and details of your tour program. It is needed for entry and departure from Jordan. Note: In case you lose your Visa Manifest, change your schedule or choose to depart Jordan on your own, a $60 visa fee will apply upon departure.
3. Travelers participating on the optional Full Day Petra tour from Israel: Gate 1 will obtain a visa locally for approximately $60 as long as your passport information is provided to the Israel Tour Manager at least 48 hours in advance. This is in addition to the border taxes & fees.
4. In all other situations, you will need to get your visa on your own in advance of your trip. A single-entry visa costs approximately $60 and can be obtained in advance or on arrival at certain entry points. For more information click here.
Please note: In this case only, the included visa service applies to all nationalities. Passport must be valid for six months beyond travel dates. when crossing the Israeli-Jordanian land border, there is a $55-65 exit fee. This fee is paid locally at the time of the border crossing. Travelers will be advised by their tour manager at the start of their tour how much the fee is and how to pay it.
Please note if you are traveling to Kenya with an extension starting in Rwanda or ending in Zanzibar or Uganda: You are required to provide your arrival and departure flight information for Kenya. This information will be listed in your travel documents as a voucher once your flight information has been confirmed. Your travel documents will become available approximately 30 days prior to your departure. Please do not apply for your eTA until you have received your travel documents.
For Passengers starting in Singapore: Due to our itinerary, the MDAC can only be completed in Singapore. Your tour manager will provide more information and assist you in Singapore.
Alternatively, you may choose to complete and pay for the visa application online prior to departure. To do so, you must provide your arrival flight information and the first and last Namibian hotel names, addresses, and phone numbers. All flights arrive in Hosea Kutako International Airport. Once completed and paid for, you must print your confirmation. This will be checked on arrival with your travel documents and proof of health/travel insurance. For more info and to apply, click here.
Please note: Travelers on the 18 Day Himalayan Kingdoms: Nepal & Bhutan should purchase the 30 day visa.
Additionally, the South African government is piloting a new traveler declaration form for entry. At this time, the form is optional. For more information, click here.
Travelers arriving in South Korea on or after December 31, 2026 who are spending less than 90 days for tourism must apply for the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA). This must be obtained online, prior to departure, and costs approximately $10. To apply, click here. For more information, click here.
Please note: The visa application webpage may occasionally go down from time to time. If this happens, visas can be completed upon arrival.
Please note: When entering or exiting through Isebania, the Sirari point of entry/exit is used. Border crossing ports between Kenya and Tanzania vary by tour. For land entries and exits, click here.
For passengers on the Arabian Gulf Cruise: A multiple entry visa is required for the UAE. This can also be obtained on arrival.
Additionally, the UAE highly regulates prescription drugs, leading to some common medications in the US being labeled as controlled substances. Some medications may need to be registered prior to entry. For more information, click here.
When using the mobile app, you will be asked to take a photo of yourself and the information page of your passport. Additionally, you will be asked to scan the ePassport chip in your passport using your smartphone. When doing this, remove any cases on your passport and smartphone, then scan the back cover of your closed passport.
If you are traveling from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland: The UK ETA is required for travelers entering Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland.
If you are connecting through an airport within the United Kingdom: The UK ETA is required for travelers connecting on to international flights through the UK. However, as the policy continues to be newly implemented, this requirement may be exempt for those NOT passing through UK Border Patrol. An end date for this exemption has not been announced and we encourage travelers to continue to check the official website for restrictions.
If you are traveling from Spain to Gibraltar: You do not need to obtain a UK ETA prior to entry.
Please note: travelers who are 55 years of age or older are exempt from getting a visa prior to arrival if they are traveling for tourism and stay for less than 30 days.
If you are arriving in Uzbekistan on or after January 1, 2026: A visa is not required for US passport holders.
When applying for your e-visa, you will be asked to select your entry and exit ports. For Ho Chi Minh City, select "Tan Son Nhat Int Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)." For Hanoi, select "Noi Bai Int Airport." For the Mekong River Cruise, the crossing point is the "Vinh Xuong Landport." If you are booked on a Mekong River Cruise that starts in Cambodia, your Date of Arrival is on Day 8.
Please note: Processing times for the e-visa may vary. Additionally, incorrect information may cause delays and additional fees on arrival in Vietnam. Please make sure all your information is correct when submitting the application and that you have received the e-visa prior to departure.



