Some countries have agreements that allow travelers from one country to visit another without a visa, but travelers should plan to obtain a visa for most destinations. The length of your stay, the purpose of your visit and the activities you plan to do determine the type of visa you need. In general, tourist visas are issued to those who plan to vacation in the country, while transit visas are issued to those who are passing through en route to another destination. The U.S. State Department website maintains detailed travel guides, including visa information, for every country around the world.
