United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is easily the most internationally connected destination on the list, with direct flights to many major cities in the United States, Europe, and Asia. However, it’s near the top of the group in expenses as well. Remote workers can apply for Dubai’s Virtual Working Programme, a one-year renewable residence permit requiring a minimum monthly income of $3,500, insurance, and proof of employment outside the UAE—no local sponsor needed.

Retirees over 55 have a dedicated five-year retirement visa, renewable, that requires either: property worth at least AED 1 million (about $272,000) and savings of the same amount, or an annual income of at least AED 180,000. For those seeking longer-term stability, the Golden Visa offers five- or ten-year residency with no sponsor requirement. There are categories for investors, entrepreneurs, students, scientists, doctors, and more. Crucially, the golden visa exempts holders from the 180-day rule that cancels most other UAE visas if you spend too long outside the country.

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Ireland

Ireland has the highest costs on the list—and also some of the highest taxes. Unlike every other destination here, Ireland levies a full income tax on residents, with rates reaching 40%. It earns its place on the list largely on the strength of its salaries and its appeal as an English-speaking EU member with easy access to the rest of Europe.

Americans who want to stay beyond 90 days can apply for Stamp 0, Ireland’s residency permission for people of independent means, which requires a minimum annual income of €50,000 per person—€100,000 for a couple—plus private health insurance and emergency savings. It does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship, and there is no digital nomad visa. For those with Irish heritage, citizenship by descent through a parent or grandparent born in Ireland remains the more practical route.

Some years in the making, the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) finally came into effect on Friday, April 10, after several delays and issues with the technology.

The new system applies to all non-EU Nationals who travel to an EU country for a short-term stay (up to 90 days within a 180-day period). The automated process requires valid travel documents and will collect biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial scans, as well as travelers’ exact dates and places of entry and exit.

The rollout of the new technology across European airports started this October, beginning with Croatia and Estonia. The European Commission says the system is now “fully operational” as of April 10, but it appears not all countries and airports are ready to begin processing visitors in this way. According to Simon Calder, travel expert at The Independent, France, Greece, Poland and Spain are among the destinations that are “far from ready” to launch the new EES system.

Here’s everything you need to know about the EU’s Entry/Exit system—including the new rules, the countries in the Schengen area that will be enforcing the new system, and how it might impact airport wait times.

EES uses automated technology like eGates to capture biometric data, replacing physical passport checks.

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What is the new Entry/Exit system (EES)?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new border crossing procedure that collects and registers the biometric data of non-EU nationals visiting European Union member states. The system, which is being implemented at both international train and airport terminals, “will replace passport stamping with digitally recorded entries, exits, or refusals of entry of non-EU nationals coming for short stays,” the European Commission said in a statement. “Travelers’ facial image, fingerprints, and personal data from the travel document will be also recorded. ”

Travelers will need to register in the system every time they cross a border entering or leaving the EU, but not when moving between EU member countries. This will be completed by border control agents at passport checkpoints, or via automated kiosks or eGates. The scheme is designed to identify suspected criminals, combat identity fraud, and to police the EU’s limit on 90-day stays within a 180-day period, according to the European Commission.

How does it work?

The first time you enter an EU nation while EES is operational, a passport control officer will take a photo of your face and/or scan your fingerprints. (You can also register your data in advance by using the Travel to Europe mobile app.) After that initial scan, your information will be recorded in the EES system. Then, the next time you encounter an EU border check, an officer will either verify that your data matches (as opposed to taking your photo or scanning your fingerprints again) or, if available, you’ll be able to use a self-service kiosk. Upon each border crossing, EES will document the date and place of your entry and exit.

As the US prepares to host the bulk of matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a newly expanded visa policy could make it significantly harder—and more expensive—for some international fans to attend.

The State Department has broadened its “visa bond” program to a total of 50 countries, including several whose national teams are expected to compete in the tournament this summer.

The move is designed to curb visa overstays, but with bonds reaching as high as $15,000, it’s also raising questions about who will realistically be able to enter the US for one of the world’s biggest sporting events. Here’s what to know.

What is the visa bond program, and how does it work?

The visa bond program functions, in essence, like a security deposit that’s layered on top of the standard visa process. It applies to visitors applying for a B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) visa—whether or not they are required to post a visa bond is then determined during their consular interview.

“This interview includes examining the applicant’s economic and social ties to their home country, their stated reasons for US travel, the assessed risk of overstaying, and their previous travel history to the United States or any immigration violations,” explains Angel Valverde, a immigration attorney at Civitas Counsel, P.A. “Based on this review, consular officers determine whether applicants face any visa ineligibilities, and subsequently whether a visa bond requirement applies.”

If the consular officer requires the applicant to post a bond, it will typically range from $5,000 to $15,000. The decision is made on a case-by-case basis and can vary depending on the embassy and the applicant. The fee is also per person, so a family of four, for example, may face a minimum bond requirement of $20,000.

If the visa is granted and the traveler complies with its terms—most importantly, leaving the US on time—the bond is refunded after the trip. If they don’t, they risk forfeiting it.

Which countries are affected?

What began as a limited pilot program of two countries, Malawi and Zambia, in August 2025 has steadily expanded. The State Department now applies the policy to 50 countries, including 30 African nations, 9 Asian countries, 5 from North America (including the Caribbean and Central America), 5 from Oceania, and 1 from South America.

The most recently added nations, as of April 2, include Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia.

It remains unclear whether any groups will be exempt from the visa bond requirement. While previous travel bans under the Trump administration included carve-outs for athletes and officials participating in major international events like the World Cup, no such exemptions are explicitly outlined in the current visa bond program.

A State Department spokesperson told The Athletic that “all applicants” are held to the same legal standards and must “comply with the terms of a visa.” Asked whether World Cup athletes would be exempt from the requirement, the spokesperson said applications would be “adjudicated on a case-by-case basis.”

However, “athletes and official team personnel typically travel on P-1 visas, so they are unlikely to be directly affected,” notes Alexander Carl, a partner at Boulour/Carl Immigration Group. But “for fans—and potentially some media traveling on visitor visas—the added financial burden and unpredictability could deter attendance or delay travel plans.”

Tunisia, a World Cup qualifier, is now included in the Visa Bond program.

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If you meet one of these two conditions, you can apply online for Irish citizenship. Expect a fee of 278 euros (about $330) if you’re at least 18 years old, or 153 euros (about $180) if you’re younger. You’ll also have to provide several documents, a list of which includes your Irish parent or grandparent’s original birth certificate, your own birth certificate, and two proofs of address.

If one of your parents was born in Ireland and is an Irish citizen, you’re already considered an Irish citizen and can simply apply for a passport.

If your grandparent is an Italian citizen or was one at the time of their death, you can apply for Italy’s “citizenship jure sanguinis.”

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Italy

Italy’s “citizenship jure sanguinis,” or citizenship by descent law, applies to applicants with a parent or grandparent who was an Italian citizen (with no other citizenship) at the time of their death. You also qualify if your parent was/is an Italian citizen and lived in the country for at least two consecutive years before you were born (or adopted).

If you fit the bill, you can apply via a virtual appointment. Be sure to come prepared with the $697 fee and the required—and highly specific—set of documents, which include the Italian relative’s birth certificate (issued within the last half-year by the commune where the person was born) and the birth certificates of all direct descendants, including your own (“in long form, duly legalized, and translated into Italian”).

If your relative moved out of Italy, you’ll need to provide documentation showing they didn’t acquire citizenship in a foreign country. If they did naturalize, you’ll need to send a notarized copy of their naturalization certificate.

Unlike other European countries, Portugal’s citizenship by ancestry has a language requirement.

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Portugal

You can obtain Portuguese citizenship if one of your parents is a Portuguese citizen, or if one of your grandparents is or was Portuguese and you know the language (as certified by an official language test).

Global travel finally has surged past pre-pandemic levels, with total gross bookings reaching $1.67 trillion in 2025. And the International Air Transport Association predicts that airlines will carry a record 5.2 billion people in 2026—a 4.4% increase over the previous year.

At the same time, however, the United States is hemorrhaging billions in tourism revenue by the year, a downward trend many experts credit to President Donald Trump’s nationalistic approach to immigration. In December, the administration expanded its travel ban to 39 countries—most of them in Africa—that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem claimed had “been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies” on X. Even some countries not included on the travel ban have been hit with increased visa fees and immigration processing freezes.

For a while, the administration’s general hostility toward immigrants and visitors from other nations didn’t appear to significantly impact the American traveler. But as the US tightens its visa requirements for visitors, other nations are now responding in kind: Over the past year, the US has lost visa-free access to seven nations—including Brazil, which reintroduced visa requirements for Americans in reciprocation for US restrictions. The result? The US passport is rapidly losing its strength.

According to the 2026 Henley Passport Index released last month, the US passport is now ranked as the 10th most powerful passport in the world with visa-free access to 179 countries. That puts it beneath 38 other countries—including Malaysia, Lithuania, Iceland, Slovakia, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates—in terms of the visa-free access it grants to other destinations. It’s only a slight improvement from last year, when the US fell to No. 12 (with visa-free access to 180 destinations), its lowest position ever. For the prior 20 years—from 2005 up until October 2025—the US passport had consistently ranked within the top 10.

The UK passport—which was ranked the world’s most powerful in 2010, 2013, 2014, and 2015—has similarly tumbled down the list in recent years following Brexit, and is currently tied with Australia, Latvia, and Liechtenstein at No. 7. Singapore’s passport now holds the number one spot on the rankings, followed by Japan and South Korea, suggesting a shift in passport power toward Asia.

Americans have long been accustomed to passport privilege, defined as a person’s ability to move and live globally based on the nationality of their passport and the restrictions or benefits that come with it. And while US travelers may not feel the effects of this right away, “Over time, Americans may find the level of travel freedom and global mobility they’ve long been accustomed to is no longer guaranteed,” says Armand Arton, CEO of Arton Capital, an investment migration firm that also tracks passport power around the world.

Sri Lanka has always been the kind of place that rewards slow travel: sunrise train rides from Kandy to Ella, afternoons spent temple-hopping in Anuradhapura, a long loop around Galle Fort, and the kind of beach days in Mirissa that don’t require an itinerary. Now, the country is making it easier to stretch that trip into something longer. First discussed in 2021, Sri Lanka’s digital nomad visa officially launched in February 2026, opening the door for remote workers to live on the island for one year or more while working for international companies or clients. Here’s everything you need to know about Sri Lanka’s digital nomad visa.

Who is eligible?

Like most digital nomad visas, Sri Lanka’s comes with a minimum income requirement. Applicants must earn at least $2,000 per month. That threshold remains the same if you have fewer than two children, but increases by $500 for each additional child after that. To qualify, applicants must be 18 years or older, prove they meet the income requirement, and show they are working exclusively for clients outside Sri Lanka or are employed by a foreign company. In other words: you can live in Sri Lanka and work remotely, but you cannot take up employment with a Sri Lankan company.

What documents are required?

The following documents are required for the Sri Lanka digital nomad visa, according to the Department of Immigration and Emigration:

• A completed visa application form
• A request letter from the applicant
• Photocopy of passport (valid for at least 6 months)
• Two recent passport-sized photographs
• Marriage Certificate (for spouse)
• Birth Certificate (for dependents)
• A completed security clearance form
• A medical clearance report
• Proof of a clean criminal record from the home country police (issued within the last three months)
• International health insurance coverage valid in Sri Lanka
• Recommendation from the Ministry of Digital Economy
• Proof of the minimum monthly remittance for the main applicant and the dependents

How much does the visa cost?

The visa costs $500 per year and is renewable annually.

This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller India

If the desert landscape of the Inland Sea and the vibrant flavors of Doha are calling you to Qatar, consider extending your vacation through the next decade via the Middle Eastern country’s latest visa scheme.

On February 1, Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, announced the establishment of a 10-year residency program targeted at entrepreneurs and executives. According to the country’s investment agency, Invest Qatar, the new golden visa offers two five-year residency pathways (both renewable for up to 10 years)—one for entrepreneurs and another for executives.

If you’re an out-of-towner who wants to start or grow a project in Qatar, consider applying for the entrepreneur residency. You’ll first need to apply for endorsement by a Qatari incubator and have had at least 36,500 Qatari Riyals (about $10,020) in your bank account over the last three months. If approved, the program’s perks include mentorship, assistance with regulatory hurdles (such as work permits and licensing), healthcare, and access to benefits that can cut living expenses by 20%, according to Invest Qatar.

If you’re a senior businessperson who already resides in the country with a Qatar ID permit, then consider the executive residency. It’s exclusive to executive directors who make at least QAR 80,000 (about $21,945) a month, or to chairmen, chief operating officers, chief technology officers, chief finance officers, and chief executive officers who earn at least QAR 50,000 (about $13,715) a month.

They’ll need to have held these positions for at least five years and be nominated by their workplace (which must also meet its own set of requirements, such as being listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange or licensed by the Qatar Central Bank). But in exchange, approved applicants will receive premium benefits like the ability to sponsor domestic workers and open a business in Qatar.

The rollout of these two initiatives coincides with the Qatari government’s announcement that it will pour an additional $2 billion into its “Fund of Funds” venture capital program, which invests in sectors such as tech, healthcare, and real estate. The expansion of the fund, along with the launch of these residency opportunities, signals the country’s intent to further attract international talent and diversify its oil-reliant economy.

If you aren’t an entrepreneur or a local executive but want to move to Qatar, the country also has a residency-by-real-estate-investment program, which offers permanent residency (with perks such as healthcare and education) to investors who purchase a property valued at a minimum of QAR 3,650,000 (about $1 million), or a residency permit (without these perks) for purchasing a property worth at least QAR 730,000 (about $200,000).

Qatar isn’t the only country that is hoping to attract global entrepreneurs with a shiny new golden visa. Its neighbors, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both have five-year residency plans for entrepreneurs. In a similar vein, Greece also recently announced it would grant five-year golden visas to foreign investors who support local startups.

The advisory also notes that some states—including Alabama, Arizona, Utah, Indiana, South Carolina, and Georgia—have introduced legislation to combat illegal immigration that authorizes “police officers to seek information on an individual’s immigration status and to detain people they suspect of being in the US illegally.” They suggest that travelers carry their documents with them at all times in case they are asked to present them by law enforcement officials.

Since last spring, Ireland’s travel guidance for the US has also included advice for transgender travelers, stating: “ESTA and visa application forms to the US require travelers to declare their sex. The US authorities have indicated that this should reflect, what they term, the traveler’s biological sex at birth.”

“Previous convictions in the United States, misleading information about the purpose of your stay on your visa or ESTA application, or even a slight previous overstay can have serious consequences,” Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs’s site reads. That said, they do note the “vast majority” of travelers don’t encounter issues.

Netherlands

While the Dutch ministry of foreign affairs still has its safety level for the US listed as “green,” its travel advice page was last modified in October to note that the “US government has tightened entry regulations for foreign visitors,” suggesting that citizens double check entry requirements before travel. It also flags that the US government only recognizes two genders as of January 20, 2025.

The European nation also tells its citizens to “be vigilant in crowded places,” which includes both major events and public transportation. Specifically, it adds that demonstrations “are common in larger cities in the US,” adding that “these can lead to violence.”

New Zealand

Unlike most countries on this list, New Zealand actually increased the US travel advisory level on its official four-level scale. In November 2024, it bumped the US to Level 2, advising New Zealanders to “exercise increased caution,” a warning that remains in place today.

Specifically, it states that the US has a “higher incidence of violent crime and firearm possession than in New Zealand,” highlighting a risk of active shooter incidents as well as petty crime. Like Australia, it also tells its citizens to register if staying more than 30 days and to have photo IDs that meet Real ID standards. The site also notes that “the US government has strict rules for entering and staying in the country” and says that “you may encounter scrutiny from US border authorities” upon arrival.

Portugal

Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs updated its travel guidance for citizens visiting the US, noting: “The granting of an ESTA or visa does not constitute an automatic right of entry into the USA. The final decision is always made by the border officer upon entry into US national territory.” It also advises non-binary travelers to “complete forms and provide declarations upon arrival with the gender with which they were identified at birth.”

The Portuguese government also highlights certain areas of the country for safety risks, including neighborhoods of New York City, Washington, DC, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The guidance was last updated in October 2025.

United Kingdom

The UK first updated its US travel advisory for British travelers bound for America last February, stating that “the authorities in the US set and enforce entry rules. The language was changed a month later to say those rules are enforced “strictly,” which remains the current wording on the site.

For more inspiration, see our full Puerto Rico Travel Guide, including the best hotels in Puerto Rico and the best things to do in Puerto Rico.

Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands, south of Japan and Korea, are a balmy reprieve from winter’s chill and the insistence of spring rain. If you’re looking to completely unplug from your daily routine, these Micronesian islands are as far as you can get from the US without leaving American jurisdiction.

Saipan

Of the 14 Northern Mariana Islands, Saipan is the largest and most populated. The capital island is only 12 miles long and 5.5 miles wide, yet it’s packed with activities. If you enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving, the island is known for its sandy beaches, lagoons, and coral reefs, where you’ll spot turtles and colorful fish swimming among Pacific War shipwrecks. If you prefer on-land activities, there are also plenty of hiking trails and vista points woven throughout Saipan’s tropical jungles and Mount Tapochau. Or go on a day trip to Managaha Island to rev up a jet ski (or parasail on the back of one). History buffs will appreciate the prehistoric latte stone structures of the Indigenous Chamorro people, which stand alongside World War II artifacts. Just don’t forget to take a lunch break: You don’t want to miss a mouthwatering plate of red rice and chicken kelaguen, or the crisp, sweet, and more-ish bites of buñelos aga (banana donuts).

Tinian

When in Saipan, consider island-hopping three miles south across the Saipan Channel to Tinian, where travelers can book a beachfront resort and enjoy the soft sands of Taga and Tachogna Beach. Much like its northern neighbor, the coral reefs at Tinian are a snorkeler’s dream.

Back on land, bird watchers can try to catch a glimpse of the Tinian monarch, an endangered species endemic to the island before. For a dose of archaeological and historical enrichment, check out around the island’s Shinto shrines, Chamorro structures, and World War II landmarks (including the bomb pits used for the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki).

Rota

Rota, the southernmost Northern Mariana Island, houses unique mementos from around the world, including prehistoric pictographs, the German Santa Lourdes Chapel, and Japanese World War II cannons.

Of course, the island is also lined with pristine beaches. Frolic in the white sands of Guata and Teteto beach, or spend the afternoon snorkeling around shipwrecks and coral reefs, especially at the popular Teteto Beach and Rota Grotto. Or, if you’re a birder, visit the Bird Sanctuary. Round out your itinerary with a visit to the prehistoric latte stones of the As Nieves Latte Stone Quarry, a US national landmark.

US Virgin Islands

No need to bring a passport to visit the US Virgin Islands (USVI), so long as you show proof of US citizenship—whether it be a raised-seal birth certificate or a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license.

The USVI—which are made up of the main islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, along with a sprinkling of some 50 other islets and cays east of Puerto Rico—offer plenty of reasons to escape the mainland for a spell, from spectacular beaches to excellent wildlife experiences to world-class festivals.

St. Croix

In St. Croix, visitors who love hotels with history can bed down at the 300-year-old King Christian Hotel, a waterfront landmark in downtown Christiansted that overlooks the historic Fort Christiansvaern. Following a 2022 renovation, the boutique property unveiled 46 fully remodeled rooms and suites and offers multiple on-site dining options. The pool area has also been refurbished.

Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni salt flat and Uzbekistan’s Silk Road may not have much in common. But in 2026, the home countries of these two trending travel destinations now share a significant distinction: visa-free entry for Americans.

On December 1, 2025, Bolivia began allowing United States citizens to visit the South American country without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism and business purposes, streamlining travel logistics for stateside visitors. In addition to the US, Bolivia also lifted visa requirements from seven other countries: South Korea, South Africa, Bulgaria, Malta, Romania, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel.

Exactly one month later, at the turn of the New Year, Uzbekistan enacted a similar 30-day visa-free visitation program for Americans.

Unsurprisingly, both countries expect their new travel policies to stimulate the local economy and boost tourism from America—a trend that’s already in full swing.

Uzbekistan’s announcement comes at a time when the Central Asian country, best known for its ancient Islamic architecture and cornerstone role in the Silk Road, is seeing a boom in US travelers. Intrepid Travel, a global tour operator, saw an almost 60% spike in US bookings to Uzbekistan from 2023 to 2025, Leigh Barnes, president of Intrepid Travel’s Americas division, tells Condé Nast Traveler. In January alone, 40% of Intrepid’s bookings were for its premium trips to Uzbekistan.

It’s a sentiment echoed by other tour operators, such as Canada-based G Adventures. Yves Marceau, the company’s vice president of product, tells CNT that US bookings to Uzbekistan grew 96% from January 2025 to the same time in 2026.

“We’re seeing strong and growing interest in destinations that offer deep cultural immersion and a real sense of discovery, and Uzbekistan is a standout example of that trend,” Marceau says. “The ‘Stans’ as a region have been gaining momentum across all our travel styles and traveler demographics.”

G Adventures has seen a similar 65% jump in US travel to Bolivia. However, the South American country has yet to take a larger slice of Intrepid’s travel pie: Bolivian itineraries account for only about 0.5% of its bookings.

Consider it up-and-coming: CNT recently ranked Bolivia (specifically Potosí, its highland city home to Salar de Uyuni) as one of the best places to go in Central and South America for 2026, thanks in part to a local hospitality revitalization by way of new hotels and improved infrastructure.

The Bolivian government estimates that eliminating visa requirements for the eight countries will generate $80 million Bolivian boliviano (about $11.6 million) over the next four years.

Intrepid Travel, a global tour operator, saw an almost 60% spike in US bookings to Uzbekistan from 2023 to 2025.

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Getting to Uzbekistan

The country’s national carrier, Uzbekistan Airways, currently operates direct flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Tashkent International Airport (TAS). The airline says it also flies to Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and Philadelphia, although there will be layovers in either Istanbul or Frankfurt.