Planning a Trip to Asia? Here’s What You Need to Know Before You Go
Planning a trip to Asia often begins with the same practical question: what do I need to enter the country? While many of Asia’s most popular destinations are now relatively straightforward for U.S. and Canadian travelers, entry requirements are ever changing, and can vary widely by country. Some allow visa-free entry, others require an e-visa and/or arrival card, and a few still involve more formal advance approval.
This guide gives U.S. and Canadian travelers a quick overview of entry requirements across the Asian destinations Explorient serves. Entry requirements can change, so we recommend confirming details through official government sources before travel. As part of our planning process, we provide guidance on what to prepare, where to find the proper forms, and when to complete them.
Quick Reference Cheat Sheet
East Asia
Japan (1 – Very Easy)
Visa-free • No arrival form (as of May 2026) • 6-mo passport
South Korea (2 – Easy)
Visa-free • E-Arrival Card • 6-mo passport
Taiwan (2 – Easy)
Visa-free • Simple arrival process • 6-mo passport
Hong Kong (1 – Very Easy)
Visa-free • No arrival form • 6-mo passport
China (1 or 4 – Easy / Complex)
Visa-free with qualifying transit (easy) • Otherwise visa required through Embassy (complex)
East Asia
Southeast Asia
Singapore (2 – Easy)
Visa-free • SG Arrival Card • 6-mo passport
Thailand (2 – Easy)
Visa-free • 30–60 days • Digital arrival card rolling out
Vietnam (3 – Moderate)
E-visa required • 90 days • Apply online
Malaysia (2 – Easy)
Visa-free • Digital arrival card • 6-mo passport
Indonesia (3 – Moderate)
Visa on arrival or e-visa • E-Arrival form required
Cambodia (3 – Moderate)
E-visa or visa on arrival • E-Arrival form required
Laos (3 – Moderate)
Visa on arrival or e-visa
Myanmar (4 – Complex)
E-visa required • Entry conditions variable
Southeast Asia
South Asia & The Himalayas
India (3 – Moderate)
E-visa required • Multiple categories • Apply online
Nepal (2 – Easy)
Visa on arrival • Straightforward process
Bhutan (2 – Easy)
Pre-arranged visa only • Must book all travels through licensed operator
South Asia & The Himalayas
Detailed Entry Requirements by Destination
Japan
Overview (1 – Very Easy)
- Japan offers a highly streamlined entry process for U.S. and Canadian travelers, with visa-free access and efficient immigration procedures. For most visitors, entry is straightforward and predictable.
Entry Requirements
- Passport: 6 months validity recommended
- Visa: Not required (up to 90 days)
- Arrival Form:Paper forms remains available on arrival, or E-Arrival Card (recommended)
Expert Notes
- Immigration is fast and well-organized
- Requirements are stable and rarely change
Singapore
Overview (2 – Easy)
- Singapore remains one of the most efficient entry points in Asia, combining visa-free access with a simple digital arrival process.
Entry Requirements
- Passport: 6 months validity
- Visa: Not required (up to 90 days)
- Arrival Form: SG Arrival Card (within 3 days before arrival)
Expert Notes
- Fully digital entry process
- Regulations strictly enforced
Thailand
Overview (2 – Easy)
- Thailand offers visa-free entry with minimal requirements, making it one of the easiest destinations in the region to access.
Entry Requirements
- Passport: 6 months validity
- Visa: Not required (30–60 days depending on policy updates)
- Arrival Form: Thailand Digital Arrival Card (within 3 days before arrival)
Expert Notes
- Digital arrival card must be completed before entry.
Vietnam
Overview (2 – Easy)
- Vietnam requires an e-visa for most travelers, but the process is straightforward when completed in advance.
Entry Requirements
- Passport: 6 months validity
- Visa: E-visa required ($25 for single entry, $50 for multiple)
- Arrival Form: E-Arrival Card (within 3 days of arrival)
Expert Notes
- Apply at between 30 and 60 days in advance (processing takes 5-7 business days)
- Ensure your arrival and dates are correct. Leave a few days of buffer before and after in the event of flight changes.
- Be aware of unofficial or fraudulent websites that charge inflated fees. When applying through the official government site, single- and multiple-entry visas typically cost $25 and $50, respectively.
Cambodia
Overview (3 – Moderate)
Cambodia offers both e-visas and visa-on-arrival (VoA), making entry relatively accessible.
Entry Requirements
- Passport: 6 months validity
- Visa: VoA ($30) or E-visa (recommended – $36)
- Arrival Form: E-Arrival Card (within 7 days of arrival)
Expert Notes
- Cash (USD) only for VoA
- Go with the E-visa to expedite the arrival process. Application is straightfoward. Apply within 30 days of your arrival.
- Be aware of unofficial or fraudulent websites that charge inflated fees. When applying through the official government site.
Laos
Overview (3 – Moderate)
Laos offers visa-on-arrival (VoA) and e-visa options, though infrastructure can be less streamlined.
Entry Requirements
- Passport: 6 months validity
- Visa: VoA ($40) or E-visa (recommended – $50)
Expert Notes
- Cash (USD) only for VoA
- Go with the E-visa to expedite the arrival process. Application is straightfoward. Apply between 60 – 30 days of your arrival.
China
Overview (1 or 4 – Easy / Complex)
- China offers visa-free transit for eligible travelers when the itinerary meets specific routing, duration, and entry-point requirements.
- For travelers who do not qualify, advance visa processing through a Chinese embassy, consulate, or visa center is required, making China one of the more involved entry processes in Asia.
Entry Requirements
- Passport: 6 months validity
- Visa: Visa Free Transit (if qualifed) or Standard Visa (pre-arranged)
- Application: Embassy/visa center (if required)
Expert Notes
- Travelers from eligible countries, including the U.S. and Canada, may qualify for China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy when traveling through Mainland China to a third country or region, such as U.S. → Mainland China → Thailand. Approved ports, routing rules, and permitted travel areas vary, so travelers should confirm current requirements through the Chinese Embassy website.
- If your itinerary does not qualify for visa-free transit, a standard China visa is usually required. This process can be involved and may require several weeks of advance planning.
- Visa applications generally must be submitted to the Chinese Embassy, Consulate, or visa office assigned to your state or province of residence. Third-party visa agencies, such as VisaRite, can assist with the process, though fees can be significant.
Hong Kong
Overview (1 – Very Easy)
- Hong Kong remains one of the simplest destinations to enter, with visa-free access and minimal requirements.
Entry Requirements
- Passport: 6 months validity
- Visa: Not required
- Arrival Form: None
Expert Notes
- Immigration processing is fast and efficient
Indonesia
Overview (2 – Easy)
Indonesia typically requires either a visa on arrival or e-visa, depending on entry point and traveler preference.
Entry Requirements
- Passport: 6 months validity
- Visa: Visa on Arrival (VoA) or E-visa (recommended). Cost $35.
- Arrival Form: Digital Arrival Card (within 3 days of arrival)
Expert Notes
- VoA is simple but involves queues. E-visa can save time on arrival
Malaysia
Overview (2 – Easy)
Malaysia offers visa-free entry with a simple digital arrival card, making it an easy addition to regional itineraries.
Entry Requirements
- Passport: 6 months validity
- Visa: Not required
- Arrival Form: Digital arrival card (MDAC) within 3 days of arrival
Expert Notes
- Smooth immigration process
South Korea
Overview (2 – Easy)
South Korea offers visa-free entry with a currently simplified arrival process.
Entry Requirements
- Passport: 6 months validity
- Visa: Not required
- Arrival Form: E-Arrival Card (within 3 days of arrival)
Expert Notes
- Smooth immigration process
Taiwan
Overview (2 – Easy)
Taiwan provides a straightforward visa-free entry experience with minimal formalities.
Entry Requirements
- Passport: 6 months validity
- Visa: Not required
- Arrival Form: Online Arrival Card (TWAC) with 3 days of arrival
Expert Notes
- Efficient and traveler-friendly entry process
India
Overview (3 Moderate)
- India’s e-visa system simplifies entry, though the application requires careful completion.
Entry Requirements
- Passport: 6 months validity
- Visa: E-visa required (apply inside 120 days of your arrival)
- Arrival Form: India E-Arrival Card (within 3 days of arrival)
Expert Notes
- The application is quite involved and requires some time (and patience) to complete. Be sure that everything is accurate.
- The cost for single entry E-Visa varies by month of travel. $10 for traveling in April – June, and $25 for July – March
- Travelers should apply only through the official government website, as third-party sites often charge significantly higher fees.
Nepal
Overview (2 – Easy)
- Nepal offers a straightforward visa-on-arrival (VoA) process for most travelers.
Entry Requirements
- Passport: 6 months validity
- Visa: VoA ( $15 for up to 15 days / $50 for up to 30 days)
Expert Notes
- Bring USD for the visa fee
- You may speed up the arrival process by completing a Pre-Arrival Form online.
- Simple but manual system
Bhutan
Overview (2 – Easy)
- Bhutan requires all travel to be pre-arranged through a licensed operator, including visa approval. No separate application process is required by the traveler.
Entry Requirements
- Passport: 6 months validity
- Visa: Pre-arranged only. All land arrangements (hotels, tours, transportation, etc.) must be booked through a liense tour operator.
Expert Notes
- All travel in Bhutan must be pre-arranged and conducted through a licensed tour operator; independent travel is not permitted.
Myanmar
Overview (3/4 – Moderate/Complex)
- While the E-visa application process is fairly straightfoward, entry points and travel conditions in Myanmar can change, including the availability of certain border crossings and regions. Travelers should confirm current conditions before planning.
Entry Requirements
- Passport: 6 months validity
- Visa: E-visa required ($50)
Expert Notes
- Check current conditions before planning.
Your travels should be arranged through an experienced operator. Myanmar is not a DIY destination.
