It is essential that you check visa requirements for your trip before you depart. While we make every effort to offer advice on visas, it is ultimately the responsibility of the traveller to arrange and research their own visas. If you do not comply with visa requirements you may be refused entry into a country and miss all or a portion of you tour. If you are refused entry into a country, it is your own responsibility and Tucan Travel will not be liable for any inconvenience or expense incurred as a result.
Arranging Your Own Visas:
We have compiled a brief summary of visa requirements for Tucan Travel’s destinations below. This is designed as a guide only and we recommend double checking this information with embassy and consular websites to ensure you have the most up-to-date advice. While every effort is made to keep this page updated, visa regulations can change rapidly and without notice so it should not be relied upon as your sole source of information.
Select Your Destination:
Citizens of EU member countries, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days. South African citizens require a visa and should ensure they comply with visa requirements prior to travel.
There are no visa requirements for Antarctica but visas may be needed for your departure point. Please consult your tour dossier and the appropriate embassy(s) for more details.
Citizens from Canada are required to pay a reciprocity fee prior to arrival in Argentina. The fees are as follows: Canadian nationals: US$75/US$150 (single/multi entry). To pay your reciprocity fee, click here. The amounts listed may change according to the reciprocal fee amounts set by other countries.
Citizens of the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and USA do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days.
Nationals of EU member states, Switzerland, USA, Canada, South Africa, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand do not require a visa for stays of up to 30 days. Make sure your passport is stamped on entry as lack of proof of entry can result in a fine and/or imprisonment.
Nationals of the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, USA, Australia and Canada do not require a tourist visa for Bolivia.
South Africans require a visa for Bolivia and should contact the nearest Bolivian embassy for details.
Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States, United Kingdom and Ireland are exempt from visa requirements for stays of up to 90 days. South Africans require a visa when entering, exiting or travelling through Bosnia and Herzegovina and should contact the closest embassy for information.
Canadian, US, British, Irish, Australian, New Zealand and South African citizens do not require a tourist visa for Botswana for stays of less than 90 days.
Citizens of Canada and the USA require a tourist visa to enter Brazil which must be arranged prior to arrival. If you do not have the appropriate visa when you arrive in Brazil you may be detained at the border and prohibited from entering the country. Please contact your closest Brazil Embassy for more details. Note, it takes around 20 working days to process a visa application and longer during the lead up to Carnival time (February/March).
New Zealand, South African, British, Australian, EU and Irish citizens do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days.
Citizens of New Zealand, Australia, UK/EU, Canada and the USA do not need a visa to visit Bulgaria for up to 90 days within each period of six months. South Africans require a visa and should contact the closest Bulgarian embassy for more details.
Citizens of ASEAN countries or the Philippines are permitted to enter Cambodia without a visa. All other nationalities require a visa to visit Cambodia. A tourist visa is valid for 30 days from the date of entry. You can obtain a VISA from your nearest Cambodian Embassy prior to travel or simply apply for VISA on arrival at the border crossing during your tour. Please note that e-VISA's obtained on-line at https://www.evisa.gov.kh can only currently be used if entering Cambodia from Thailand or if entering at one of the International Airports. Please do not use this service if your tour enters Cambodia from Vietnam via a land border crossing. Please check with your nearest embassy for processing times and conditions along with the latest visa requirements for your nationality before you leave your home country.
For stays of up to 90 days British, New Zealand, Australia, South African, US and Canadian citizens do not require a visa.
Most nationals travelling for tourist purposes will require a visa for China and visas should be arranged prior to arrival. If you do not have the appropriate travel documents and visa when you arrive you will not be allowed to enter China. Please ensure you allow plenty of time to apply for your China visa and obtain your visa at least one month prior to travel. Chinese authorities strictly enforce penalties for entry and exit visa violations.
For stays of up to 90 days, USA, British, Irish, New Zealand, Australian and South African citizens do not require a tourist visa to visit Colombia. As of 1st December 2014, Canadian citizens now have to pay a reciprocity fee to enter Colombia, which can be paid upon arrival into the country. The fee is approximately $88 CAD (OR 160,000 Colombian pesos), and this can be paid by international credit card, debit card or cash. If made in cash, the payment must be in Colombian pesos. You will receive an immigration card, which you must retain and show when you leave the country.
For stays of up 90 days citizens of Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Canada and USA do not require a visa to visit Costa Rica.
Citizens of the UK/EU, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA do not require a visa to visit Croatia. South Africans require a visa for Croatia and should contact their nearest embassy for details.
Visitors travelling to Cuba will require a visa, also known as a tourist card. This should be applied for in advance, but some nationalities may also be able to apply at the airport upon arrival. Travellers should check requirements relevant to their nationality before departure.
US travellers visiting Cuba are now required to qualify under the "Support of the Cuban people" category.
Since May 2010 it has also been necessary for all visitors to Cuba to have health insurance and you may be asked for proof of medical coverage.
Visitors from the UK/EU, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA do not need a visa for visits of up to 90 days. South African citizens require a visa for Czech Republic and should consult their closest embassy for details.
Citizens of the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and most European countries travelling to Ecuador for tourism do not require a visa unless they intend to stay for more than 90 days.
From 12 September 2018, all tourists travelling to the Galapagos Islands will be required to have a valid health insurance policy.
A yellow fever vaccination is obligatory when entering Ecuador from endemic countries such as Colombia, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Congo, Uganda, etc.
Egypt issues 30-day tourist visa for visitors. Some nationalities are able to apply for this visa on arrival at Egyptian ports of entry, although it is recommended to apply for your visa in advance to avoid delays at the border. South Africans will have to apply for their visa prior to travel.
Nationals from EU and EEA member states do not require a visa to enter Estonia. Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA do not need a visa for visits of less than 90 days within a 6 month period. South Africans require a visa and should consult their closest embassy.
As of February 12th 2014, all nationalities entering Guatemala by air will be required to pay a $15 entrance fee on arrival. The maximum stay of up to 90 days still applies.
Guatemala is part of the Central America-4 (CA-4) Border Control Agreement. As part of this agreement eligible foreign nationals can travel within the four countries (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras & Nicaragua) for a period of up to 90 days without completing entry and exit formalities at border immigration checkpoints. If travellers wish to remain in this area for more than 90 days they should research extensions. Overstayers can expect a fine.
Citizens of Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, most European countries, New Zealand and Australia do not require a visa for stays of up to 30-90 days (depending on nationality).
Honduras is part of the Central America-4 (CA-4) Border Control Agreement. As part of this agreement eligible foreign nationals can travel within the four countries (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras & Nicaragua) for a period of up to 90 days without completing entry and exit formalities at border immigration checkpoints. If travellers wish to remain in this area for more than 90 days they should research extensions. Overstayers can expect a fine.
Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA and UK/EU do not require a visa to visit Hungary for stays not exceeding 90 days. South Africans require a visa for Hungary and should contact their nearest embassy for details.
Travellers intending to visit India must be in possession of a valid passport and India visa. Tourist e-visas have been introduced for most countries including Australia,USA,New Zealand, UK and many European countries. This is valid for 30 days with single entry facility. Please note: E-visas need to be applied for prior to the trip and will take 5-6 working days to get approved
If your nationality is not part of the e-visa scheme you should apply for your visa before they travel and may have to visit Visa Centres in person and by appointment only.
The Indian government has relaxed the rules on re-entering the country while on a tourist visa. The previous rule of no re-entry on the same visa for 2 months after leaving India no longer applies to foreign nationals coming to India except in case of nationals of Afghanistan, China, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, Bangladesh, foreigners of Pakistan and Bangladesh origins and stateless persons.Foreign nationals arriving in India on long term multiple entry visas must register with the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Officer within 14 days of arrival.
Citizens of Canada, United States, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa require a visa to travel in Indonesia and can apply for a tourist visa on arrival at most airports and seaports.
If applying for a visa on arrival, ensure you can provide proof of onward travel and that your passport contains at least one unused visa page for the visa-on-arrival sticker. The visa on arrival costs US$35 for a stay of up to 30 days. A tourist visa can also be purchased prior to travel.
Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA are visa exempt for visits of less than 90 days. British and Irish nationals are visa exempt for stays of up to six months. South Africans must apply for a visa to Japan well in advance of travel. In order to apply for your visa you will require a letter of invitation from Tucan Travel / your travel agent. Please contact us or your travel agency to arrange this.
Citizens from the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and UK/EU require a visa to travel in Jordan. Travellers can get a visa on arrival at all borders accept King Hussein bridge. Anyone who is travelling from Egypt to Jordan and intends to re-enter Jordan later, will need to obtain a multiple-entry visa prior to travel. Please see the Jordan country dossier for further information or contact us if you have any questions about this.
Nationals of the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA require a visa to enter Kenya. Visas are valid for up to three months. Nationalities that require a visa for Kenya will need to have obtained an online e-visa prior to travel. The application should be submitted as early as possible but no less than 7 days before departure due to the processing time required.
From September 2015 you will not be granted entry into Kenya if you have not obtained the new e-visa.You must also have at least two blank pages available in their passport upon arrival. Failure to meet this requirement may result in an entry visa being refused. We urge you to make sure your passport meets these conditions.
For passengers visiting Uganda on a group tour we advise you to acquire a multi-entry visa or an East Africa Visa before departure which covers Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda
The new e-visa portal can be found here and is now available for use.
Visas are required for most nationalities. Australian, New Zealand, EU, US and Canadian citizens can obtain a 30-day visa on arrival which costs between US$30 and US$42 depending on your nationality. A US$1 "out of office hours" surcharge might also be charged. Visa on arrival facilities are available at the international airports at Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse, and at all border crossings except entering overland from Cambodia.
Online e-Visa's are now available at the official Lao Government website https://laoevisa.gov.la. This service charges an additional fee of US$15 on top of the Visa costs mentioned above.
Citizens of the UK/EU, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA do not require a visa for Latvia, for visits of less than 90 days. South Africans require a visa and should contact the closest Latvian embassy for more details.
Citizens of Canada, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and the USA do not require a visa for stays of up to 14 days. South Africans do not require a visa to visit Lesotho.
Citizens of the UK/EU, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA do not require a visa to visit Lithuania. South African citizens require a visa for Lithuania and should consult their closest embassy for details.
Citizens of the UK/EU, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA do not require a visa to visit Macedonia. South African citizens require a visa for Lithuania and should consult their closest embassy for details.
Most citizens from Western Europe, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK can obtain a visa on arrival however this is currently subject to change. Some countries may need to apply for their visa in advance. Please check with your Malawi embassy if you are unsure.
If you intend to stay in Malawi for more than 30 days please consulate the Malawi embassy for more details on extending your permit.
Citizens of Australia, UK and Ireland do not require a visa for stays of up to three months. US citizens do not require a visa. New Zealand and South African nationals can visit for up to one month without a visa.
US, Canadian, British, Australian, New Zealand, and many European countries do not require a visa to visit Mexico. All visitors require a Tourist Card (or FMM) which is available on arrival by completing an immigration form available at border crossings or on-board flights to Mexico. You must keep the Tourist Card with you at all times and present it on your departure from Mexico.
Citizens of the USA do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Canadian, UK/EU, New Zealand, Australian and South African citizens do not require a visa to visit Mongolia for visits of up to 30-days.
Citizens of UK/EU, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days. South Africans require a visa and should enquire at their nearest embassy.
Citizens of Australia, Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand and some European countries do not require a visa to enter the kingdom of Morocco for stays of up to 90 days. South African citizens require a visa and should apply for this prior to travel.
Nationals of South Africa, UK, Ireland, USA, New Zealand, Australia and Canada do not require a visa for visits shorter than three months. To see a full list of nationalities that are visa exempt please consult the Namibia High Commission website.
Almost all nationalities require a visa to enter Nepal, with the exception of Indian nationals. For the latest information on your specific visa requirements you should contact your local Nepalese embassy or consulate. Generally, nationals of the UK/EU, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada can obtain visas in advance from the nearest Nepalese embassy or on arrival at the International Airport. Visas for nationals of these countries can also be acquired at land borders when crossing from India into Nepal. Visas cost $25/$40/$100 for stays of 15, 30 and 90 days respectively. You will need two passport-style photos for the visa.
Tourist cards are issued on arrival for most citizens and cost US$10.
Nicaragua is part of the Central America-4 (CA-4) Border Control Agreement. As part of this agreement eligible foreign nationals can travel within the four countries (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras & Nicaragua) for a period of up to 90 days without completing entry and exit formalities at border immigration checkpoints. If travellers wish to remain in this area for more than 90 days they should research extensions. Overstayers can expect a fine.
Citizens of Australia, Canada, United States and New Zealand can be issued with a tourist card on arrival. Citizens of Ireland and the UK do not require a visa to visit Panama. South African citizens require an authorised visa which must be applied for in advance.
When entering the country, visitors to Panama are required to have the equivalent of US$500 or a credit card, plus a return or onward ticket.
Nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA need a visa to visit Paraguay which costs between $100-160 depending on nationality. We recommend obtaining this in advance in your home country. UK citizens are visa exempt for stays of up to 90 days. All other nationalities should check visa requirements and if necessary apply for their visa in advance at the nearest embassy.
Nationals of the UK, EU, Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa do not require a visa to visit Peru for stays of up to 183 days.
Citizens of the EU are entitled to move freely throughout the European Union, including Poland. Nationals from Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada are visa exempt for stays of up to 90 days. South Africans should contact the closest Polish embassy for information on visa requirements.
Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, UK and EU are exempt from Romanian visa requirements when visiting. South African citizens must obtain a visa for Romania prior to travel.
Almost all nationalities require a visa to travel to Russia and it must be applied for in advance. Tucan Travel can provide the invitation letter that you MUST have, to obtain your visa. For additional information please contact us.
From January 2021, EU Citizens will be able to visit Russia for up to 16 days by applying for an E-visa.
New Zealand, Australia, Canada, USA, United Kingdom and Ireland citizens do not require tourist visas for Serbia for stays of up to 90 days. South Africans require a visa and should contact their closest embassy for details.
Citizens of the UK/EU, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA and South Africa do not require a visa to visit Singapore.
Citizens of the EU are entitled to move freely throughout the European Union, including Slovakia. Nationals from Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada are visa exempt for stays of up to 90 days. South Africans should contact the closest Slovak embassy for information on visa requirements.
Citizens of the EU are entitled to move freely throughout the European Union, including Slovenia. Nationals from Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada are visa exempt for stays of up to 90 days. South Africans should contact the closest Slovenian embassy for information on visa requirements.
Citizens of Canada, USA, UK, Ireland and Australia do not require a visa for visits of less than 90 days. Please ensure you have two blank pages in your passport, or you may be refused entry and returned to their point of origin.
Important information for New Zealand citizens: From the 16th January 2017, New Zealand nationals cannot travel to South Africa without first obtaining a visa from the consulate in Wellington prior to travel.
You will need to get a visa to enter Sri Lanka. If you’re staying for less than 30 days, the Sri Lankan immigration authorities recommend that you get a visa online (ETA). This applies to British, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport holders. Please click here for further information.
Canadian, US, British, Irish, New Zealand, Australian, and most western European countries require a tourist visa. Some nationalities can obtain visas (single entry) on arrival to Tanzania for US$50 and you should check with the nearest embassy to see if you are eligible for a visa on arrival. If you are obtaining your visa on the border, please ensure you have enough US dollars in the correct denominations. British pounds are not accepted at land border crossings in Africa.
We recommend obtaining your Tanzania visa in advance even though they may be available on arrival, to ensure you comply with entry requirements and to avoid potentially long delays at the border. Multiple entry visas must be applied for prior to travel.
If your country is on the referral visa list on the Tanzania Immigration website you will need to obtain your visa in advance.
Citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States are permitted to stay in Thailand for up to 30 days if arriving via plane, or 30 days if arriving over a land border.
Visitors to Turkey must apply for an entry visa via the Turkish Government Website at www.evisa.gov.tr. Failure to obtain a visa before arrival may result in being refused entry. The price of the visa varies depending on the passport. Citizens of New Zealand do not need to obtain a visa before arrival however we recommend checking with the nearest Turkish Embassy before departure. Your passport must be valid for at least 60 days from the visa date of expiry.
EU, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens all need a visa to enter Uganda. For many nationalities visas must be obtained before travel for US$50 however you should contact the embassy for further information.
It may be cheaper for you to obtain an East Africa Visa which covers Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda
Citizens of Australia, Canada, United States, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa are exempt from visa requirements when visiting Uruguay.
Citizens of Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa and New Zealand are exempt from visa requirements when visiting Venezuela.
Citizens of the United States will need to organise a visa before departure
All nationalities should check with their local embassy regarding up to date Visa information for Vietnam.
If you are entering Vietnam on any of our tours from Cambodia, the entry point we use is Song Tien land border where ‘Visa on arrival’ is NOT available. Please note that putting a different entry point will result in your visa being invalid for use at Song Tien land border.
Visa Exempt -
On March 10th 2020, due to the current Covid-19 outbreak, the Vietnamese Government announced they were suspending the visa waiver program for UK and other European nationals. The change started as of March 12th 2020.
Consequently all travellers must obtain a valid Vietnam visa using one of the methods below before travelling.
Standard Visa - Obtained from your nearest Vietnamese Embassy. Embassy issued visas are accepted at all land and air entry and exit points.
Online e-Visa - Available only for certain nationalities costing US$25.00 each, and can be obtained online at this web address only https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn Please only use this website as fraudulent sites do exist.
"Letter of Approval" for Visa on arrival - International Airports ONLY - A "Letter of Approval" for Visas on Arrival MUST be obtained prior to travel, can only be used when arriving at International Airports in Vietnam and can NOT be used at land border entry points.
Multiple Entry visas - If you are entering Vietnam more than once within a short period of time, we recommend obtaining a multiple entry standard visa or multiple e-visas.
South African passport holders do not need a visa to enter Zambia. Most other nationalities including Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and most continental European countries can obtain a visa on the border for $50 (single entry).
If you wish to apply for a multiple-entry visa, you should do so prior to travel. If your country is listed under the 'referred visa' category on the Zambian Department of Immigration website you will need to apply for a visa in advance.
Please ensure you have enough US dollars in the correct denominations if you are applying for your visa on the border. British pounds are not accepted at Africa land border crossings.
All nationalities are required to obtain a visa prior to travel which can be obtained from your nearest Burmese consulate or embassy. Visitors from 41 countries currently can apply the visa through http://www.evisa.moip.gov.mm/. The processing time is about (5) working days for granting an E-Visa. Passengers with E-Visa are permitted to enter at Yangon International Airport or Mandalay International Airport and some land borders.
If your nationality is not on the list, you can apply for this visa at a Myanmar embassy in or near your country. Please contact the embassy for more details. Different embassies have different rules to apply for a tourist visa. Generally you will need 2 or 3 photos and enough cash to pay for your visa (at most embassies it’s 30 USD). Some embassies will ask you to come in person to apply for the visa or they will ask for your CV (to check where you have been working in the past) and they might ask for your planned travel itinerary. It usually takes about 3 days to get your visa.
The visa for Myanmar is valid for 28 days and occupies a full page in your passport – the visa expires 90 days after it is issued so don’t apply too early. Please make sure you have enough pages in your passport. The passport has to be valid for at least 6 more months.
South African passport holders do not need a visa to enter Zimbabwe. Most other nationalities including Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and most continental European countries can obtain a visa on the border.
If you need to arrange a visa in advance, you can do so either directly with a country’s embassy, or through a visa agency. Although visa agencies are more expensive, many people choose this option for the convenience and comfort of knowing the details are being taken care of by professionals. We suggest the following companies should you choose to arrange your visas through an agency.
Important Information for those Transiting Via the USA
The US Department of Homeland Security has issued a statement to remind travellers from all Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) countries that they are now required to obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) prior to travelling to the United States. This requirement, effective from January 2009, applies to all eligible citizens or nationals travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme.
The ESTA, a web-based system, determines the eligibility of a person to enter the United States prior to boarding their flight. Travellers without an approved ESTA may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing, or be denied admission at a US port of entry. To apply for the ESTA, visitors must hold an e-passport. Without one, you will have to get a visa at the embassy. Visitors to the USA, and those travelling via the USA to other destinations should apply for travel authorisation at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
General Advice on Travel Documents and Visas
Regardless of visa requirements for specific countries, we recommend doing the following when travelling abroad to minimise difficulties at borders. The better prepared you are prior to travelling, the easier and smoother your travel experience will be.
Carry spare passport photos when you travel for visa and entry permit applications.
Make sure you have enough time to apply for visas before you travel. Some visas may take several weeks to obtain, so don’t leave it to the last minute.
Check your tour dossier to see if you require a single or multi-entry visa for your destination(s)
Photocopy and scan the photo page of your passport, visas, cards and any other important travel documents and ensure you have a paper copy and a digital copy in case you lose the originals.
Double check all visa information on official embassy websites. Wikipedia and travel blogs are not sufficiently authoritative sources when researching country entry requirements.
Ensure your passport is valid for a sufficient length of time after you have travelled. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates, and some ask for longer.
Check you have enough spare pages in your passport if you are applying for visas on arrival.
Print off proof of onward travel (flight ticket) and have it with you when approaching immigration desks.
Print off travel insurance certificate and have it with you when travelling.
If your tour arrives into a country via a land border and you wish to apply for a visa on arrival, ensure that it is possible to apply at that border crossing. Border crossings are listed in the country dossiers on your tour dossier page.
Print a copy of your tour itinerary, tour and hotel vouchers and have them with you when approaching immigration desks.
