Do you need a visa to travel to Latin America? Guide according to country of origin

This post is also available in: Español

Who hasn’t wanted to travel from one country to another without caring about anything but the places they are going to visit?

The problem with all this is that it’s not that easy… When traveling through countries that are not yours, although some you will only need a passport, in others you will need a visa. Everything will depend on your nationality to have more or less ease of entry.

Below, we tell you which countries need a visa to travel to Latin America.

Traveling to Latin America if you are European

Citizens of the European Union are quite easy to travel to Latin America.

If you want to complete our list of places to see before you die in Latin America, it will be much easier if your country of residence is in Europe. In most of them, you will only be required to have a passport with more than 6 months of validity in order to enter.

In countries such as Ecuador and Bolivia, this visa allows you to stay there for a maximum of 90 days. Chile also has the same agreement with the European Union, so it will be easy for you to organize your W Trek in Torres del Paine or your trekking along the O Circuit.

In the case of Argentina, it will also be 90 days permit, although this can be extended 90 days more by requesting it at the consular office. Do you think this is enough time to be able to see all of Argentine Patagonia and enjoy minitrekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier?

Mexico and Colombia are two of the countries that allow more time to stay in their country, a total of 180 days.

In the case of Peru, it is the most permissive country in that sense. Here you are allowed to stay up to 183 days, 3 days more than in the previous ones. It seems like a lot, but we assure you that you will never get tired of traveling to Machu Picchu. So the more days the better…

Traveling to Latin America if you are from the USA

The regulation of US visas with Latin America depends on the agreement with each country. Many times there is a reciprocity agreement, so the same is requested for travelers from the US to one of these countries, and vice versa.

Generally, here too, the rule of having a passport validity of 6 months from the day of travel is also complied with, although there are also several exceptions.

In Argentina and Chile, Americans do not need a visa for stays of maximum 90 days. The same goes for Colombia, so you won’t need anything more than booking a tour of the Ciudad Perdida, to enjoy this archaeological site, and drink a Colombian coffee in the very Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

In case you want to make the ascent to Chimborazo in Ecuador, you won’t need any visa either. You’ll be able to stay here for a maximum of 90 days, but immigration officials may ask to see proof of return travel.

Bolivia is indeed more restrictive with the USA. In order to make a tour of the Uyuni Salt Flat, the first thing you must do if you are American, is to apply for a visa. This visa is valid for 10 years, which allows you to stay in Bolivia for up to 90 days per year.

Being neighboring countries, Mexico and the USA has the peculiarity that it will not be necessary to travel by plane to go from one side to the other. Mexico allows a stay of maximum 180 days, in exchange, only, of a passport with 6 months of validity still ahead. It is not for nothing that Americans spend so much time in the paradisiacal lands of the Mexican Riviera Maya.

Finally, Peru, issues a free tourist visa for U.S. visitors upon arrival. This is valid for stays of up to 90 days, during which, for example, you will be able to visit the Iquitos Amazon jungle. Tourists must also show a proof of return to their country or a subsequent trip to another country.

Visa for travel to Latin America from Australia

Since Australians are one of the countries that most visit Latin American lands annually, we wanted to make a section for them as well.

Despite this, almost everything is very similar to the permits required from other parts of the world.

In the case of Argentina, the 90 days in which no visa will be required for entry is maintained. In the case of Australians, this agreement allows multiple entries per year, always respecting the maximum time.

Bolivia, Chile, Colombia or Ecuador, also do not need any special visa to travel, being a maximum stay of 90 days.

In this regard, Mexico remains the least restrictive country. 180 days.

If you are Australian and decide to travel to Peru, you will need a visa before you can enjoy your trip. This will allow you to stay a maximum of 183 days in this Andean country. Will you have enough to see one of the most beautiful and historic countries in the world?

Have we helped you with your next trip planning? Does the country where you live need any visa to travel to Latin America?