Countries That Require Visas for a Cruise
Figuring out what countries require a travel visa in addition to a valid passport is a common question with a rather complicated answer, even when you're going on an international cruise. There are a few countries where visas are handled by the cruise line on arrival in port. In all other cases, the cruise line might only advise you that you might need one, but they can be rather elusive when it comes to other relevant details.
U.S. citizens can easily look up visa requirements at Travel.State.gov. Search for each country your ship will visit. Check the "Quick Facts'' box and the “Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements” section a little bit farther down for general travel and cruise visa requirements. (Canadian citizens can use a similar site: Travel.gc.ca.) The Cruise Critic message boards can also be a helpful resource.
One thing to bear in mind: You should have a valid visa for all ports of call that require them, even if you do not plan to disembark. Emergencies -- either yours or the ship's -- could force a situation that would make a visa unexpectedly necessary.
Here are some countries that require a travel visa for U.S. citizens on cruises.
On This Page
- Australia Cruise Visas
- Bahrain Cruise Visas
- China Cruise Visas
- Egypt Cruise Visas
- Ghana Cruise Visas
- India Cruise Visas
- Indonesia Cruise Visas
- Jordan Cruise Visas
- Kenya Cruise Visas
- Myanmar (Burma) Cruise Visas
- Papua New Guinea Cruise Visas
- Qatar Cruise Visas
- Sri Lanka Cruise Visas
- Tanzania Cruise Visas
- U.K. Cruise Visas
Australia Cruise Visas
U.S. passport holders visiting Australia on a cruise can apply online for an electronic visa for a fee, to be paid by credit card.
Bahrain Cruise Visas
Bahrain requires a two-week, single-entry tourist visa, with the application available on the government website or on arrival.
China Cruise Visas
On May 15, 2024, China announced that cruise passengers traveling in groups of at least two people can enter the country visa-free through any coastal cruise port in the country. Cruise passengers are allowed to stay visa-free in the country for 15 days. The travel area for this exemption, however, is restricted to the coastal provinces and Beijing.
Egypt Cruise Visas
A visitor's visa is required in Egypt. If you arrive by cruise ship, the visa is usually handled onboard the ship for you. If you arrive by air (as when you are taking a river cruise), you can procure an electronic visa either at the airport in Cairo or online before you arrive.
Renewable single-entry 30-day tourist visas are available on arrival for a fee, as are multiple entry travel permits.
Ghana Cruise Visas
A visa is required, but ships stopping in Ghana usually arrange for visas for their passengers. Check with your cruise line well before traveling, as applying for one independently requires creating an account on the Ghana Embassy website and mailing your passport, along with a passport-sized photo and other documents.
India Cruise Visas
An electronic visa application for India is available online. Visitors can choose between double- and multiple-entry visas valid for between 30 days and five years. General and cruise visa requirements are known to change often. Checking with your nearest Indian Embassy before traveling is recommended.
Jordan Cruise Visas
Your visitor’s visa will be issued for a fee as your ship docks at Aqaba. The process is typically easy and quick.
Kenya Cruise Visas
Kenya issues either a single-entry or multiple-entry electronic visa, but most cruise ships that call on Kenya will process the correct one for you. Check with your cruise line before traveling.
Myanmar (Burma) Cruise Visas
Most cruise lines will process their passengers’ visas for Myanmar, including river cruises. If yours doesn’t, contact a cruise travel agent to request a Pre-arrangement Visa on Arrival, which is a pre-approval of travel. Cruisers are not allowed to enter the country using an eVisa.
Papua New Guinea Cruise Visas
On-arrival tourist visas are not available for U.S. citizens visiting Papua New Guinea. Visitors can either apply for a single-entry visa online, or request a paper permit at the Embassy.
Qatar Cruise Visas
Passengers on cruises to Doha in Qatar will be issued a visa valid for 30 days on arrival, for a fee.
Sri Lanka Cruise Visas
An electronic travel authorization (ETA) is required in Sri Lanka. It can be obtained either online or on arrival at Colombo cruise port, and allows entry for up to 30 days.
Tanzania Cruise Visas
Most cruise lines will process visas for passengers visiting Tanzania. If yours doesn’t, you can apply for one online. It will be valid for one year and multiple entries.
U.K. Cruise Visas
Non-Europeans, including U.S. passport holders, visiting the U.K. on a cruise must apply for an electronic travel authorization (ETA) -- a new digital "permission to travel" that is required from January 8, 2025. An ETA can be applied for online, is valid for two years and allows for single stays of up to six months for non-business travel. The application comes with a small fee and can take up to three business days to be authorized.