Good news about visas is always received with joy. A typical Ghanaian doesn’t mind spending his life savings on a vacation due to the prestige attached to traveling abroad. However, the process of obtaining visas puts many off due to the uncertainties associated with the outcome of visa applications.
In 2019, it was all over that Ghana has signed a visa-free agreement with Malta to allow holders of ordinary Ghanaian passports to travel to Malta without a visa. It took me series of posts to explain to people why it can never be as Malta is a member of Schengen and as such the country cannot solely admit other nationals into the Schengen area. The agreement was only between holders of Diplomatic passports.
News on South Africa granting Ghanaians visa-free travel also made waves and it’s still on reputable websites, including that of Ghana’s Parliament, that holders of Ghanaian ordinary passport can travel to South Africa without a visa. South Africa visa-free travel for Ghana remains a promise, a promise that may never be fulfilled.
Skydive, Dubai
Now, there’s another news from Parliament, the same parliament that said Ghanaians can go to Dubai without a visa lol. Don’t celebrate yet as the reports on various news platforms are conflicting.
UAE will never grant holders of Ghanaian ordinary passports visa-free travel. The only countries that travel to the United Arab Emirates without a visa are member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The GCC is made up of Arab countries; Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. UAE suspended its diplomatic relations with Qatar which took away the visa-free access Qatar enjoyed.
Dubai visa is a great source of revenue for the UAE. The best they can offer us is visa-on-arrival. Even countries like the USA and UK whose passports are considered to be some of the strongest in the world do not enjoy visa-free travel to Dubai. The agreement signed between Ghana and the UAE probably allows only holders of diplomatic and service passports to travel between the two countries without a visa.
People still get deported when travelling to these visa-free countries because they assume that free means free and therefore go anyhow.
Below are some of the things you have to note when travelling to a visa-free country.
There’s still a border
Unlike moving from one Schengen state to the other where they are no borders, you still pass through a border when travelling to a visa-free country. You will pass through Immigration/Passport control, Customs, security and any other processes you pass through when travelling to other countries where visas are required. The only difference here is that you don’t need a visa. That’s all; nothing changes.
Prepare for interview
Because it’s a visa-free country and no one assessed your eligibility to travel, some countries will still interview you when you arrive at their airport. One of Jetsanza Explorers Shadrack Annor had a tough time entering Mauritius. I was interviewed in Singapore and Maldives before gaining entry into the countries. Prepare to face same. It’s usually simple for people travelling with a tour group.
Deportation from Singapore has reduced in recent years. It got to a time where Ghanaians were still required to hold a Letter of Introduction (Kind of Invitation Letter) before granting entry into Singapore. Today, almost everyone is allowed entry.
Cash
Not having cash on you? Then what are your intentions? To find a job and stay? Man, you won’t be allowed entry. As someone who is genuinely travelling for a holiday, you need funds that will be able to pay for your entire stay. During my visit to Maldives, I paid for everything in advance; my accommodation, food, water transport, and activities. In this case, no one will expect me to have cash. And honestly, I didn’t buy anything in Maldives, didn’t even see their banknotes. That was very bad of me.
Accommodation
You have no idea where you will be staying? You may not be granted entry. Book your accommodation in advance and carry the booking confirmation along. See how to book Hotel.
Tourist Voucher
If your destination requires that you hold a tourist voucher, get it.
Return Ticket
Not having a return ticket? Then there’s no proof that you will leave the country. You will be deported if you fail to present a return air ticket.
Yellow Fever Card
Countries like Kenya require that you hold a Yellow Fever Vaccination card. Lucky enough for Ghanaians, we are forced at the Kotoka International Airport to carry one to all destinations. Read more on Yellow Fever Vaccination cards.
Check Period of stay permitted
Most importantly, check the maximum period of stay allowed. While some allow a maximum stay of 90 days, others allow only 30. If you intend to stay longer, make sure you’ve confirmed the maximum number of days allowed to stay.
According to immigration and citizenship firm Henley & Partners and information available on reputable resource website Wikipedia, Filipino travelers can visit 61 countries without applying for a visa, which placed the country on the 76th spot in its 2016 Visa Restrictions Index released late February.
Based on information from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) through its Timatic application as of December 2015, the 61 countries are as follows:
Nationals of Australia can visit a good number of countries without a visa. Most of the countries that require visas grant Australians either eVisa or Visa On Arrival (VOA).
Jetsanza.com has put together a list of Australian travel requirements.
Oceania Countries That Are Visa-Free For Australians
Fiji
4 months
Kiribati
120 days
Marshall Islands
VOA
90 days
Micronesia
30 days
New Zealand*
*
Palau
VOA
30 days
Papua New Guinea
eVisa/Free VOA at Gurney Airport (Alotau)
Mount Hagen Airport
Samoa
entry Permit on Arrival
60 days
Solomon Islands
Visitor’s Permit on Arrival
3 months
Tonga
VOA
31 days
Tuvalu
VOA
1 month
Vanuatu
30 days
*freedom of movement. Australian citizens are exempt from the requirement to hold a permit on arrival in New Zealand and may reside or work for an indefinite period as long as they: 1. present a valid Australian passport OR hold a foreign passport with evidence of their Australian citizenship. 2. have no criminal convictions
Asia Countries That Are Visa-Free For Australians
Armenia
180 days
Azerbaijan
eVisa
30 days
Bahrain
eVisa/VOA
14 days
Bangladesh
VOA not available at all entry points
30 days
Brunei
VOA
30 days
Cambodia
eVisa/VOA
30 days
East Timor*
*
30 days
Georgia
360 days
Indonesia
30 days
Iran
VOA
30 days
Israel
3 months
Japan
90 days
Jordan
VOA not available at all entry points
2 months
Kazakhstan
30 days
Kuwait
eVisa/VOA
3 months
Kyrgyzstan
60 days
Laos**
**
Lantui
Lebanon
VOA
1 month
Malaysia
3 months
Maldives
VOA
30 days
Nepal
VOA
90 days
Philippines
30 days
Qatar
30 days
Singapore
90 days
South Korea
90 days
Sri Lanka
eVisa/VOA
30 days
Tajikistan
eVisa/ VOA at Dushanbe International Airport
30 days
Thailand
30 days
United Arab Emirates
VOA
30 days
Uzbekistan
30 days
*VOA at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport or the Dili Sea Port.
**eVisa can enter through Wattay International Airport and the First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge Entry points Lalai.
Africa Countries That Are Visa-Free For Australians
Benin
eVisa/VOA
30/8 days
Botswana
90 days within a year period
Burkina Faso
VOA
1 month
Cape Verde
VOA at Sal
Boa Vista
Comoros
VOA
45 days
Egypt
eVisa/VOA
30 days
Eswatini / Swaziland
30 days
Ethiopia
eVisa/ VOA must both arrive at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
30 or 90 days
Gabon
eVisa holders must arrive at Libreville International Airport or VOA
90 days
Gambia
90 days
Guinea-Bissau
eVisa/VOA
up to 90 days
Kenya
eVisa/VOA
up to 3 months
Lesotho
14 days
Madagascar
eVisa/VOA
up to 90 days
Malawi
VOA
30 days
Mauritania
VOA at Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport
90 days
Mauritius
90 days
Morocco
3 months
Mozambique
VOA but must have a return or onward ticket
30 days
Namibia
3 months
Rwanda
eVisa/VOA
30 days
Senegal
VOA
90 days
Seychelles
Visitor’s Permit on Arrival
3 months
Somalia
VOA
30 days
South Africa
90 days
Tanzania
eVisa/VOA
up to 3 months
Togo
VOA
7 days
Tunisia
3 months
Uganda
eVisa/VOA
up to 3 months
Zambia
eVisa/VOA
90 days
Zimbabwe
eVisa/VOA
3 months
Europe – Schengen Areas With Bilateral Agreements With Australia
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Norway
Spain
Sweden
Czech Republic
Estonia
Greece
Hungary
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Malta
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Switzerland
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Moldova
Montenegro
Monaco
North Macedonia
Romania
Serbia
Ukraine
Other Countries In Europe Where Australian Passport Holders Can Enter Without A Visa
Albania
90 days
Andorra
3 months
Belarus
30 days
must arrive and leave via Minsk International Airport
Ireland
3 months
San Marino
90 days
United Kingdom
6 months
Vatican City
90 days
North America Countries That Are Visa-Free For Australians
Antigua and Barbuda
1 month
Bahamas
3 months
Barbados
6 months
Belize
30 days
Canada
6 months
eTA required if arriving by air
Costa Rica
90 days
Cuba
Tourist Card required
30 days
Dominica
6 months
Dominican Republic
90 days
El Salvador
3 months
Grenada
3 months
Guatemala
90 days
Haiti
3 months
Honduras
3 months
Jamaica
180 days
Mexico
180 days
Nicaragua
90 days
Panama
180 days
Saint Kitts and Nevis
3 months
Saint Lucia
6 weeks
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
1 month
Trinidad and Tobago
30 days
United States
90 days
ESTA required if arriving by air or cruise
South America Countries That Are Visa-Free For Australians
Argentina
90 days
Bolivia
90 days
Brazil
90 days
Chile
90 days
Colombia
90 days
extendable up to 180 days
Ecuador
90 days
Guyana
3 months
Paraguay
VOA at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport
90 days
Peru
183 days
Suriname
eVisa/Tourist Card on Arrival
90 days
Uruguay
3 months
Venezuela*
90 days
*
*Australian government advises citizens not to visit here due to safety concerns
EVisa For Australian Passport Holders
Angola
30 days
Azerbaijan
30 days
Djibouti
31 days
India
60 days
arrive via 26 designated airports or 3 designated seaports
Ivory Coast
3 months
arrive via Port Bouet Airport
Myanmar
28 days
arrive via Yangon
Oman
30 days
Pakistan
30 days
São Tomé and Príncipe
30 days
Suriname
90 days
Turkey
3 months
Ukraine
30 days
Vietnam
30 days
What Countries Can Australian Citizens Live In
New Zealand: New Zealand the second home of Australians. Australians can literally do everything in New Zealand without the need to obtain a visa.
Others: Australians can also live and work in any country in the world provided the right work permit is obtained.
Which Countries Can Australian Citizens Work?
Australian citizens can work in any country in the world after obtaining the appropriate work permit in the exception of New Zealand where such permit is not needed.
Visa Requirements For Australian Citizens To USA
The United States Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows nationals of Australia to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa, if certain requirements are met.
Holders of Antigua and Barbuda passports enjoy visa-free travel to over 160 countries which makes the country’s Citizenship by investment a booming business for the government. Antigua and Barbuda citizens used to enjoy visa-free to Canada until 2017 when the Canadian government had issues with its citizenship by investment program.
Nonetheless, Antigua and Barbuda passport holders still enjoy visa-free travel to an enviable list of countries including the United Kingdom and across Europe.
Antigua And Barbuda Passport Visa-Free Countries 2021
Below is the list of countries Antigua and Barbuda citizens can travel to without a visa:
Albania
Jordan*
Trinidad and Tobago
Andorra
Kiribati*
Tunisia
Argentina**
Korea (North)
Turkey
Armenia*
Korea (South)
Tuvalu
Austria
Kosovo
Uganda
Bahamas
Laos*
Ukraine
Bangladesh*
Latvia
United Arab Emirates**
Barbados
Lebanon*
United Kingdom
Belgium
Lesotho
Uzbekistan (effective 1st ,2020)
Belize
Liechtenstein
Vanuatu
Bolivia
Lithuania
Vatican City
Bosnia
Luxembourg
Venezuela
Botswana
Macao*
Zambia
Brazil
Macedonia
Zimbabwe
Bulgaria
Madagascar
British Overseas Territories
Burundi
Malawi
Akrotiri and Dhekelia
Cambodia*
Malaysia
Anguilla
Cape Verde
Maldives*
Bermuda
Cook Islands
Malta
British Virgin Islands
China**
Mauritania*
Cayman Islands
Chile
Mauritius
Gibraltar
Colombia
Mexico**
Guernsey
Comoros*
Micronesia
Jersey
Costa Rica
Monaco
Montserrat
Croatia
Montenegro
Helena
Cuba
Mozambique*
Turks and Caicos
Cyprus
Nepal*
Pitcairn Islands
Czech Republic
Netherlands
Isle of Man
Denmark
Nicaragua
French Overseas Departments & Collectivities
Djibouti*
Niue
French Guiana
Dominica
Norway
French Polynesia
Dominican Republic
Palau*
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Ecuador
Panama
Guadeloupe
Egypt*
Peru
Martinique
El Salvador
Philippines
New Caledonia
Estonia
Poland
Barth’s
Fiji
Portugal
Martin
Finland
Qatar
Saint Pierre & Miquelon
France
Reunion
Wallis & Futuna
Gambia
Romania
Dutch Territories
Georgia
Russia
Aruba St. Eustatius
Germany
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Bonaire St. Maarten
Greece
Saint Lucia
Curacao
Greenland
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saba
Grenada
Samoa*
Guatemala
San Marino
Guinea-Bissau*
Seychelles*
Guyana
Singapore
Haiti
Slovakia
Honduras
Slovenia
Hong Kong
Solomon Islands*
Hungary
South Africa
Iceland
Spain
India
Suriname
Indonesia
Swaziland
Iran++
Sweden
Ireland
Switzerland
Isle of Man
Tanzania
Italy
Timor-Leste*
Jamaica
Togo
* Visa granted upon arrival
**Visa waiver for Diplomatic and Official passports
++Visa granted upon arrival.
Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda used to travel to Canada visa-free until June 27, 2017, when Canada imposed a visa requirement on holders of Antigua and Barbuda passports. So since June 2017, citizens from Antigua and Barbuda need a visa to travel to Canada. Canadian authorities cited “the integrity of Antigua and Barbuda’s travel documents” resulting from its Citizenship by Investment Program to determine that Antigua and Barbuda no longer meet Canada’s criteria for a visa exemption.
Indian passport holders require visas to travel to at least 130 countries. The good news is that Indian citizens can still travel to 59 countries either visa-free or visa on arrival. A number of countries also allow persons from India to travel on an eVisa.
List Of Visa-Free Countries For Indian Passport Holders 2021
Below is the enviable list of countries Indian citizens can travel without a visa:
Bhutan
Nepal
Indonesia
Seychelles (permit on arrival)
Jamaica
Senegal
Serbia
Trinidad and Tobago
Haiti (for up to 90 days)
Micronesia
Ecuador
Dominica
Vanuatu
Svalbard
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Grenada (for up to 90 days)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (for up to 30 days)
Montserrat (for up to 180 days)
Turks and Caicos (for up to 90 days)
El Salvador
Macau
Visa On Arrival Countries For India
The countries below grant Indians an entry visa at the point of entry. With visa on arrival, Indians do not have to obtain visas prior to their travels but are granted them at the border upon arrival.
Below are the countries holders of Indian passport can obtain a visa on arrival:
Thailand
Maldives
Laos
Mauritius
Cambodia
Bolivia
Hong Kong (Need to do pre-arrival Registration)
Fiji
Palau
Macedonia
Saint Lucia
Ethiopia
Tuvalu
Mauritania
Comoros
Guinea Bissau
Guyana
Togo
Cabo Verde
Angola
Barbados
Cook Islands
Iran (apply online & obtain ‘Submission Notice’ before departure)
Kiribati
Nigeria (only pre-approved VOA)
Samoa
Suriname
Tunisia
Somalia
Kenya
Zimbabwe
Rwanda
Jordan
eVisa For Indian Citizens
The list of countries below grant Indians eVisas. The visas are applied online and obtained before embarking on the trip. Evisas are relatively easier to obtain.
Below are the countries that Indians can apply for evisas:
Malaysia (eNTRI Note)
Sri Lanka
Myanmar
Turkey (at the border of Europe and Asia)
Zambia
Tanzania
Madagascar (landing authorisation)
Ivory Coast
Uganda
Georgia (lying at the intersection of Europe and Asia)
Lawful permanent residents of the United States, also referred to as Green Card holders, can travel to a number of countries without obtaining visa. Travelers have to be in possession of a valid Green Card and passport.
Below are the countries U.S Green Card holders can travel without a visa:
Canada
Holders of U.S. Green Card do not need a visitor visa when traveling to Canada. If a U.S Green Card holder intends to travel by air, they are, however, expected to have an eTA to fly to or transit through Canada.
When a U.S Green Card holder is travelling by land or sea directly from the U.S., only proof of U.S. lawful permanent resident status (such as your Green Card) is required.
Mexico
USA Permanent Residents, otherwise known as Green Card holders, do not require visas when traveling by air, land or sea to Mexico. Only proof of U.S. lawful permanent resident status and valid passport are required.
Costa Rica
U.S Green Card holders or Permanent residents do need a visa when entering Costa Rica. Travelers must show their residence card, which must be valid for at least six months and must meet the new security features according to the specifications by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Residence stamped on passports, parole work cards and those under refugee or asylum status are not accepted. Letters of extensions for expired Green Cards are also not accepted.
Belize
Belize is not visa-free for U.S Green Card holders but they are granted the privilege of obtaining a visa on arrival. Travelers must present to the immigration officer at the point of entry a Passport valid for at least 6 months past the end date of stay, a notarized photocopy of green card, a completed Visa Application form, and proof of sufficient funds for your stay in Belize.
Georgia
Foreigners holding a visa and/or residence permit/Green Card of the United States may enter and stay in Georgia without a visa for 90 calendar days in any 180-day period.
The British Virgin Islands
USA Permanent Residents or Green card holders do not need a visa to travel to the British Virgin Islands. Travelers are therefore required to meet other immigration requirements which include the possession of a valid Passport, proof of accommodations on the island, and proof of return journey required for entry; green card required for re-entry into the US.
Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
To travel to the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaao, and Sint Maarten, Green card holders need a Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.
The Balkans
The Balkan countries of Albania, North Macedonia, and Montenegro allow U.S. permanent residents to enter without a visa.
Albania permits a stay for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa. North Macedonia allows a stay of a maximum of 15 days without a visa while Montenegro also permits a stay of up to 30 days without a visa.
Singapore
Indian and Chinese nationals with U.S Permanent residency or Green Card can transit through Singapore for up to 96 hours without a visa.
Peru
Indian and Chinese nationals with U.S Permanent residency or Green Card can travel to Peru without a visa for a stay of up to 90 days.
Jamaica
Green card holders need a Passport and round-trip tickets, or onward tickets to another country to enter Jamaica without a visa. Travelers with Taiwan citizenship are exempted.
Dominican Republic
U.S Green Card holders require a Passport and tourist card to visit the Dominican Republic. Also, anyone who can legally travel or reside in the US does not need a Visa to travel to the Dominican Republic for tourism purposes.
Green Card holders require a Schengen visa to travel to the Schengen member countries unless the holder is a national of a country that has a visa-free travel arrangement with the Schengen area.
Germany is a member of Schengen and as such travelers to Germany must meet Schengen travel requirements. U.S Green Card holders need a visa to enter Schengen, which Germany is a member. Unless the holder of the Green Card is a national of a country that has a visa-free travel regime with Schengen, a visa would be required.
Uk Visa For US Green Card Holders
U.S Permanent residents or Green Card holders are not exempt from visa when traveling to the UK. Green Card holders are to meet the UK immigration requirement and obtain a visa before traveling to the UK unless the traveler is a national of a country whose nationals can enter the UK without a visa.
Traveling from the US to Europe was restricted when the country became the epicenter of the Coronavrius pandemic. Some countries are gradually opening to the US. See COVID-19 Travel Restrictions for the latest updates on how borders are being eased for travelers from the United States.
Can I Travel With A Green Card And No Passport
Passport is a major travel document that shouldn’t be substituted for anything else. Despite holding a Green Card, you are still required to carry your passport when traveling.
Nationals of at least 87 countries and territories can travel and stay in the UK for no longer than 6 months (or 3 months if they enter from the Republic of Ireland) with a visa.
Countries That Do Not Need A Visa To Travel To The United Kingdom
Below is a list of countries whose nationals do not require a visa to enter the United Kingdom:
British Overseas Territories citizens
British Nationals (Overseas)
Monaco
British Overseas citizens
Namibia
British protected persons
Nauru
British subjects without the right of abode in the United Kingdom
A Schengen Visa grants the holder access to 26 countries in the Schengen zone and to some other 30+ non-schengen countries. Countries that do not appear on this list require a visa when traveling to a member country.
Countries whose nationals do not need a Schengen Visa to enter the Schengen area
The countries below can enter the Schengen area and stay up to 90 days within every 180 days without a visa.
Albania*
Israel
Saint Vincent
Andorra
Japan
Samoa
Antigua and Barbuda
Kiribati
Serbia*
Argentina
Macao S.A.R***
Seychelles
Australia
Malaysia
Singapore
Bahamas
Marshall Islands
Solomon Islands
Barbados
Mauritius
South Korea
Bosnia and Herzegovina*
Mexico
Taiwan**
Brazil
Micronesia
Timor Leste
Brunei
Moldova*
Tonga
Canada
Monaco
Trinidad and Tobago
Chile
Montenegro*
Tuvalu
Colombia
Nauru
Ukraine
Costa Rica
New Zealand
United Arab Emirates
Dominica
Nicaragua
United Kingdom
El Salvador
North Macedonia*
British Nationals (Overseas)
Georgia
Palau
British Overseas Territories Citizens
Grenada
Panama
British Protected Persons
Guatemala
Paraguay
United States of America
Holy See (Vatican City State)
Peru
Uruguay
Honduras
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Vanuatu
Hong Kong S.A.R***
Saint Lucia
Venezuela
* Eligible only if they are holders of biometric passports.
** Eligible only if passport contains an identity card number.
*** Visa-free regime applies only to holders of a “Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” passport.
*** Visa-free regime applies only to holders of a “Região Administrativa Especial de Macau” passport.
Antigua And Barbuda Passport Visa-Free Countries 2021