A valid passport and visa are required in order to take part in any SpiceRoads adventure. All passport, visa, and immigration requirements are the responsibility of the traveler. Be sure to allow enough time to apply for and secure all necessary requirements prior to departing for your trip.
Albania
Passport holders of up to 70 countries are not required to obtain a visa when entering Albania and are permitted to stay in the country for a period of 90 days. All foreign nationals who have a valid multi–entry Schengen visa, type “C” or “D”, or a valid residence permit in one of the Schengen member states, can enter, stay and transit Albania without a visa, within the validity term of the visa or the residence permit. Please check the Albanian government website for further details.
Austria
Visa requirements for Austria vary depending on the traveler's nationality and the purpose of their visit. Citizens of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) do not need a visa and can freely enter and stay in Austria. Additionally, citizens from certain countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand can enter Austria for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. For many other nationalities a visa is generally required to enter Austria. Visitors need to apply for a Schengen Visa, which allows travel within the Schengen Area, including Austria. See here for more information.
Bhutan
All nationalities require a passport for entry into Bhutan. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from date of entry. Bhutan does not issue Visas before you arrive through their Embassies or Consulates. The only way to get a Visa is to get it on arrival to the country. However, you can’t simply show up at their doorstep and be allowed in. You must apply with a tour operator and submit an application form for approval BEFORE you arrive. SpiceRoads will submit your application for approval to the Department of Tourism and their approval process takes a minimum of 1 week. For more information on Bhutan's visa requirements, please see here
IMPORTANT: On our "Mystical Bhutan" tour we will be crossing into India via the N.K Darranga border in Assam. An Indian e-VISA is NOT accepted at this border crossing, and you must get a tourist visa physically stamped into your passport from an Indian embassy before you come on the tour. See here for more details but please contact the Indian embassy/consulate closest to you for assistance and more information. Do not leave this to the last minute as it may take up to a week or more to complete.
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Citizens of the EU, UK, US, Australia, and Canada are among those who do not need a visa to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina for visits under 30 days. Also, Bosnia and Herzegovina now recognizes Schengen visa documents for visits of up to 30 days. To confirm whether you need to apply for a visa, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bulgaria
Travellers from Australia, the United Kingdom, US, EU and all foreign nationals who have a valid multi–entry Schengen visa, type “C” or “D”, or a valid residence permit in one of the Schengen member states do not need a visa to Bulgaria for a visit of less than 90 days. Click here for the list of countries that are exempt. Please check with the Bulgarian Embassy for further details.
Burma
A visa is required for all visitors to Burma. Please make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the duration of stay in Burma. Regulations are changing quickly, but at the moment the easiest method for those flying in is to obtain an e-visa for USD $50. The e-visa will be for a single-entry to international airports only (no land borders) and is valid for 28 days after entering the country. Apply online for the visa here and it takes one week to process (have a scanned copy of the first page of your passport and a digital photo ready). The approval letter must be printed as it will be needed to board international flights and needs to be submitted to immigration upon arrival. For those crossing at a land border (Bangkok to Yangon and Burma Road tours) you must go to your nearest Myanmar embassy to obtain a visa in advance. A list of embassies abroad is available here. Please click here for more information on visa requirements.
Cambodia
All nationalities require a visa and a passport valid for 6 months after their planned exit from Cambodia. A 30-day visa on arrival is available at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap Airports and at some land border crossings. You can also obtain a visa online through e-Visa. There is a 3-day processing time and you'll need a scanned copy of the passport. Not all border crossings accept the e-Visa, please check this port of entry page which provides a list of which checkpoints support the e-Visa service. If your chosen tour includes a border crossing where e-Visa is not available we'll tell you at the time of booking. For Visa-On-Arrival, the cost is 35 USD and it needs to be paid in cash. It is important that the USD are in good condition - i.e. no visible tearing, creasing, crumpling, or scribbling - so please only bring new and crisp USD bills to avoid any issues upon entry.
China
All nationalities are required to possess a valid passport. An entry visa is required to enter the PRC. Most travelers will seek a type L visa, stemming from the Chinese word: luxing (travel). This letter is stamped directly onto the visa. Visas are easily obtainable from most Chinese embassies or consulates abroad and issued within 3 to 5 days from application. Express visas are available for an additional fee. If you are applying for a visa by mail, it can take 3 to 4 weeks for approval. Most nationalities qualify for a 30 day visa which is activated on your first day in China, and must be used within 3 months of its issuance. There are also 60 and 90 day visas available. The 90 day visas where once difficult to get but are now more easily obtainable. A Chinese visa covers virtually the entire country with the exception of some restricted areas and Tibet.
Colombia
Travellers from Australia, the United Kingdom, US, Canada and the EU do not need a visa to enter Colombia for a visit of fewer than 90 days. Citizens of certain countries need to present a tourist visa to gain entry. These can be processed at the Colombian embassies and consulates abroad. You can check if you need a visa or not in the link here
Croatia
Citizens of the EU, UK, US, Australia, and Canada are among those who do not need a visa to enter Croatia for visits under 90 days. Also, Croatia now recognizes Schengen visa documents for visits of up to 90 days for every 180-day period. To confirm whether you need to apply for a visa, visit Croatia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs
Czech Republic
Visa requirements for the Czech Republic vary based on the nationality of the traveler and the purpose of their visit. Citizens of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) are not required to obtain a visa and can freely enter and stay in the Czech Republic. Moreover, nationals from certain countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand can visit the Czech Republic for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without needing a visa. However, for many other nationalities, a visa is typically necessary to enter the Czech Republic. Visitors from these countries must apply for a Schengen Visa, which permits travel within the Schengen Area, including the Czech Republic. For further details, please see here
Georgia
Citizens of EU countries, the US, Canada, Japan, Israel, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein do not need a visa to visit Georgia for up to 90 days. If you’re not from one of the above countries, you may obtain a visa from a Georgian embassy or consulate. The standard fee for a 90-day, single-entry ‘ordinary’ visa, which covers tourism, is 60 GEL or its equivalent.
Hungary
Visa requirements for Hungary vary depending on the traveler's nationality and the purpose of their visit. Citizens of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) are exempt from visa requirements and can freely enter and stay in Hungary. Additionally, nationals from certain countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand can visit Hungary for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without needing a visa. However, for many other nationalities, a visa is typically required to enter Hungary. Visitors from these countries must apply for a Schengen Visa, which allows travel within the Schengen Area, including Hungary. For further details, please refer here.
India
Please make sure that your passport is still valid for at least six months at the end of the tour. An electronic visa (e-visa) is available for passport holders of 150 countries including Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA and citizens of EU countries, with the application and the fee submitted at least 4 days before date of arrival. Fees vary depending on nationality. The visa is valid up to 60 days from the date of arrival. Visit here to apply and for the full list of eligible countries. For citizens of countries not specified a visa must be acquired before arriving in India. Please contact your local Indian embassy to receive a standard tourist visa. Locations on embassies worldwide are available here.
Indonesia
Citizens of 80+ countries can enter Indonesia with a Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) which grants single-entry for up to 30 days. To be eligible for a visa-on-arrival you must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a passport from the countries approved for visa-on-arrival. Please see the full list here.
- Your Passport must be valid for 6 months since date of entry.
- You must have a return or onward ticket (which indicates the date of departure from Indonesia).
- You must pay a Visa-on-Arrival Fee of 500,000 IDR (around 35 USD).
- Submit an electronic customs declaration through this website
Visa-on-Arrival can be procured upon arrival in Indonesia but if you would like to save time then you can apply for and receive your visa by doing it online ahead of your departure. Here is the official website to do so. We suggest doing this as you will save time on arrival.
Here and here are useful links that summarizes the information on visas to Indonesia.
Israel
Many countries do not require a visa for travel to Israel, generally for a maximum stay of 3 months. See here for the full list. If you require a visa to visit Israel, please get in touch with the Israeli embassy or consulate nearest to you. For more information, see here. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned date of departure from Israel. In Israel, instead of stamping passports at airports and land crossings, an electronic gate pass system is used. Travelers receive small slips of paper with a barcode, which serves as their exit permit from the passport control hall. Make sure you keep this with you throughout the trip.
Japan
All nationalities require a valid passport that must be valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay. Up to 62 countries have reciprocal visa exemption arrangements allowing nationals from those countries to enter Japan without a visa. Depending on the country, you are allowed to stay in Japan for a certain period of time, which can range from 90 days to six months. For more information, please visit here.
Jordan
A passport with a validity of at least six months and a visa are required for entry into Jordan. We require all clients to purchase the Jordan Wanderer Pass online prior to arrival. This pass includes your visa-on-arrival fee and entrance to 40 attractions, including Petra. The Jordan Wanderer Pass can be purchased here for around USD 100. Make sure to get your pass well in advance and please print it out to show at immigration (you'll also need to show it at the attractions).
Note: On our "Dead Sea Circuit" tour, we cross the border into Israel. There is a departure tax of 10 Jordanian Dinar (around 15 USD). This cost is not included in the tour price and you are responsible to have the cash with you and make payment to the border officials. Prices are subject to change with no prior notice.
Kazakhstan
Please make sure that your passport is still valid for at least six months at the end of the tour and that you have at least two blank visa pages available. For 40 nationalities a visa is not required for visitors staying up to 30 days when you travel to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Visa-free visits are available to the citizens of Australia, Canada, EU countries, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA. For a full list of visa-free countries, look here. If you are staying longer in Kazakhstan or for nationalities that do require a visa we will provide you with instructions on how to apply for the visas as you will need a supporting letter.
Laos
All nationalities require a visa for Laos. You have two options to get a single-entry tourist visa (max 30 days): 1) E-Visa or 2) Visa on Arrival. Both are very straightforward processes, though we suggest procuring an E-Visa in advance as it will save you time on arrival in Laos. Apply via this website. If you prefer to do a Visa On Arrival, make sure you have the required documents prepared (including 2 passport-sized photographs and the exact amount for the visa fee in USD). See here for more information.
Please Note: While E-Visa and Visa on Arrival are available for all international airports and major land borders, some border posts do not yet accept them. Therefore, if your tour crosses into Laos from Vietnam through a more remote border post, obtaining your visa through a Laotian Embassy or Consulate in advance may be required. If that is the case, we will let you know at the time of booking.
Macedonia
Citizens of EU member states and of the signatories to the Schengen Agreement may enter Macedonia with a valid ID card issued by the competent authorities of the concerning countries. All remaining nationalities require a valid passport for entry into the country. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from date of entry. If staying less than 90 days a visa is not required for nationals of more than 70 countries. Please check the Macedonian government website for details applying to your status.
Madagascar
Visa requirements for Madagascar are straight forward depending on your total length of stay in the country:
- A stay less than 15 days: No visa is required. However, you must pay an administrative fee of $10 USD upon arrival at Ivato International Airport.
- 15 - 30 days: Visa-On-Arrival obtainable for $37 USD.
- 30 - 60 days: Visa-On-Arrival obtainable for $45 USD.
- For visas covering a longer period of stay please contact the Madagascar embassy closest to you as you will need to procure a visa in advance.
Make sure you have the exact amount in cash ready to pay.
Important: Your passport must be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive, and with at least 2 blank visa pages. You must be able to show confirmation of your travel dates (i.e. have a return flight confirmation).
For more information please visit here.
Malaysia
Visa requirements for Malaysia vary based on your nationality. Many countries are visa-exempt for tourism visits up to 90 days. To check if your country is visa-exempt or to find specific visa requirements, durations, and application procedures, visit this website. If you require a visa, please contact your nearest Malaysian embassy/consulate and make sure you give yourself enough time. Please also ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the duration of your stay in the country.
UPDATE: Beginning 1 January 2024, all international travelers, whether arriving by land or by air, must pre-apply for a Digital Arrival Card at least three days prior to their planned date of entry. This can be done by completing an online registration form. Guests should then bring a printed copy of the completed form to present to immigration officers on arrival. Here is a link to the registration form. Please make sure to fill it out at least three days before your planned arrival in Malaysia.
Mongolia
All nationalities entering Mongolia require a passport that must be valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay. Many nationalities are visa-exempt. For a list of visa exempted countries and allowed duration of stay please click here. If you are not from a visa-exempt country or will stay longer than the allowed duration of stay (either 30 or 90 days depending on the country), then please check here to see what is required for obtaining a Mongolian visa.
For more information see here.
Visa regulations in Mongolia can and do change without notice, so please give yourself enough time to check the current regulations to ensure you have the proper documents before embarking on this trip. If you are transiting through China, please check if a transit visa is required or not.
Montenegro
Citizens of the EU member states and citizens of the signatories to the Schengen Agreement may enter the territory of Montenegro with a valid ID card issued by the competent authorities of the concerning countries. All remaining nationalities require a valid passport for entry into the country. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from date of entry. If staying less than 90 days a visa is not required for nationals of more than 90 countries. Please check the here and here for details applying to your status. The same applies for transiting through Croatia.
Morocco
Please make sure you have a passport valid for at least six months beyond your departure date from Morocco. Morocco has visa exemption agreements with many countries, including the United States, Canada, most European nations, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. For the full list, please see here. If your nationality is on this list you do not need to prepare anything in advance and you may stay in Morocco for up to 90 days. You may be asked for your return flight details so make sure you have that. If your nationality is not on the visa exempt list or you require a different kind of visa for any reason, please see here for more information.
Nepal
Nepal can be entered only via "Visa on Arrival". Upon arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will fill out the application form, queue up, and pay. Depending on your length of stay the fee varies: 15 Days is 30 USD, 30 Days is 50 USD, 90 Days is 125 USD. Make sure you have the exact amount in cash on you. For more information, please see here. Depending on the city closest to you with a Nepalese embassy/consulate you may be able to fill out the application form in advance, saving you time at the airport. Please reach out to the nearest embassy/consulate for more information. Please make sure that your passport is still valid for at least six months at the end of the tour.
Peru
Citizens of many countries can enter Peru without a tourist visa. See here for a full list. If you do not need a visa, then just make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from your date of entry. Tourists must also provide evidence of return or onward travel. Travelers to Peru will receive a card from Peruvian Immigration upon arrival stating the length of approved stay (usually 90 days). Extensions are not available, and overstays will result in fines. If you do require a tourist visa, then please contact the Peruvian Embassy/Consulate near you for further information.
A Note on Machu Picchu
To visit Machu Picchu, advance ticket purchase through the Ministry of Culture is required due to high demand and visitor regulations. Our tour price covers this, but we ask for an upfront, non-refundable payment of 250 USD per person so that we may take care of it well in advance. This will be deducted from the final balance due. Please note that this price also includes the train ticket which must also be reserved in advance. We also need a copy of your passport, as required by the authentication system of the Peruvian government platform.
Philippines
If staying less than 30 days then a visa is not required by many nationalities. See here for the full list and other information. You will need to show proof of an onward flight out of the Philippines to be allowed entry. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from date of entry. For stays longer than 30 days, a Temporary Visitors Visa is required. See here for further information and please reach out to the embassy/consulate nearest to you if you will need to procure a visa.
Portugal
Visa requirements for Portugal vary depending on the traveler's nationality and the purpose of their visit. Citizens of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) do not need a visa and can freely enter and stay in Portugal. Additionally, citizens from certain countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand can enter Portugal for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. For many other nationalities a visa is generally required to enter Portugal. Visitors need to apply for a Schengen Visa, which allows travel within the Schengen Area, including Portugal. See here for more information.
Romania
Passports and Visas Romania is an easy country to enter. It is part of the EU so easy to access for Europeans but not yet in the Schengen zone. Most countries in the Americas including U.S. and Canadian as well as Australian and British citizens may enter and remain in Romania without a visa for up to 90 days total. It is essential when entering Romania to present a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months from the date of entry into the country.
Covid (Updated March 2022 )
All restrictions related to COVID-19 ceased on 9 March. There is no longer a requirement to quarantine, to test before entering Romania. Further information on entering Europe can be found on the Reopen Europe website here.https://reopen.europa.eu/en .
Slovakia
In Slovakia, visa requirements vary depending on the traveler's nationality and the purpose of their visit. Citizens of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) are exempt from visa requirements and can freely enter and stay in Slovakia. Additionally, citizens from certain countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand can enter Slovakia for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. However, for many other nationalities, a visa is generally required to enter Slovakia. Visitors from these countries need to apply for a Schengen Visa, which allows travel within the Schengen Area, including Slovakia. More information can be found here.
South Korea
Passport holders up to 101 countries do not require a visa to visit South Korea from 30 – 90 days. A complete list of visa-exempt countries is here.
Update on K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization): The South Korean government has announced that it will temporarily exempt travelers from 22 countries from the K-ETA requirement. Beginning April 1 to Dec. 31, 2024, travelers from 22 countries will no longer need to apply for K-ETA before entering the country. See here for more details and the list of exempt countries. The U.S, U.K. and Australia are on the exempt list. If you are on the exempt list then there is no need to apply. However, if your passport is not on the exempt list then make sure to get your K-ETA approved before departure via this website.
For more information on the Korean entry process, please see this website
Sri Lanka
Travelers need a travel authorization to visit Sri Lanka for Tourism. Visa-exempt visitors entering Sri Lanka must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Travelers can submit the eTA application and make payment online here. Once the application is approved, travelers receive their eTA confirmation electronically. An eTA is electronically linked to a passport and valid for up to 30 days. The application process only takes a few minutes and you should receive confirmation within 24 hours. However, do not leave it to the last minute and apply as soon as you are able to avoid any delays or hassle before departing for Sri Lanka. We suggest keeping a print out of the ETA approval as well as a digital copy on your phone.
Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of arrival in Sri Lanka.
Taiwan
Visa requirements for Taiwan vary depending on your nationality, the purpose of your visit, and the duration of your stay. Many nationalities, including citizens of many Western countries, are eligible for visa-free entry or visa-on-arrival for short stays (usually up to 90 days). See here for the full list of visa-exempt countries. If the passport you hold is not on this list, please review the information on this website and get in touch with the embassy/consulate nearest to you if you require assistance. All nationalities require a passport for entry into Taiwan. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after the duration of your stay.
Tanzania
A visa for Tanzania is required for most nationals. Both E-Visa and Visa on Arrival are available, however we suggest obtaining the E-Visa as it will save you time on arrival in Tanzania. You may apply and make payment through this website here. For more detailed information on the process, fees, exemptions and more please refer to these visa guidelines and review the details carefully. Processing time for E-Visa can be up to 10 days so make sure you apply well in advance, we suggest no later than 2 weeks.
If you do not have enough time to procure an E-Visa or prefer to do Visa on Arrival, then please see here for further information and make sure you have all the required documents when travelling. Most important are the following:
- Applicant’s valid passport. It must have at least 6 months validity and available blank pages;
- Respective visa fee depending on the type of Visa (only USD in cash is accepted);
- Passport sized photos (bring 2-3);
- Return ticket
Note for USA nationals: Due to a bilateral agreement with Tanzania, USA passport holders who visit Tanzania for tourism or holiday MUST apply for Multiple Visa even If they come for single entry. This applies to both E-Visa and Visa on Arrival.
Thailand
If staying less than 30 days then a visa in advance is not required by European, North American, Australian and many other nationalities. Please check this page to see if you qualify. You will need to show proof of an onward flight out of Thailand to be eligible for the visa on arrival. This is strictly enforced. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the duration of your stay in the country.
Turkey
Depending on the passport you hold, you may be able to enter Turkey visa-free or must obtain an e-visa in advance. This link outlines the requirement for each country, so please check the information carefully and make the arrangements accordingly. If you require an e-visa, then head to this link and follow the necessary steps. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 60 days beyond the duration of your stay (for example, if you have a 90 day visa, your passport must be valid for 150 days beyond the day you arrive in Turkey).
Uganda
It is advisable to obtain an East African Tourist Visa for this trip, which allows travelers to travel freely between Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya at most points of entry (please note, this trip only goes from Uganda to Rwanda). To apply for an East Africa Tourist Visa please go here, and select "East African Tourist Visa" under the "category," and select "Entebbe" as the port of entry, unless you are beginning your travels elsewhere.
The East African visa application costs US$ 100, and approved visas are valid for 90 days days starting from the issue date. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of entry. As part of the application you must upload a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate. Make sure you obtain this before applying for the visa so that you have all documents ready. See here for more information and on overview of the entire process and requirements. Do not leave it to the last minute to submit your application and we suggest doing it no later than 2 weeks before expected arrival.
Vietnam
Vietnam e-Visa is available to 80 nationalities. Please check this link to determine if your country is on the list. To apply for an e-visa please visit the official government website here and follow the required steps and make payment. You can apply for a single entry visa up to 30 days. Multiple entry e-visas are not currently available. For peace of mind, we suggest applying for your e-visa as early as possible, and no later than 2 weeks before your expected arrival in Vietnam. While processing time is generally no more than 1-3 working days (not including weekends and Vietnamese holidays), it is wise to give yourself some buffer time in case there are any issues.
If your nationality is not on the list for e-visa eligibility, or you need options for longer stays or multiple entries, then you may consider Visa on Arrival. The process for this is more complicated than e-visa and requires the acquisition of a visa letter prior to arrival. Please see here for a detailed overview.
If you are joining our "Saigon to Bangkok" or "Saigon to Siem Reap" tour, when you are applying for your e-visa, please select Song Tien Landport as the exit point. This refers to the river crossing at Chao Doc.
