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January 15, 2025 | 09:30 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - International tourism has been a booming trend for decades due to the unique experiences in each nation. However, these hardest countries to get a visa to visit can present numerous challenges for seasoned travelers to cross the borders.
Unlike many countries with more lenient visa policies, some nations have trouble issuing tourist visas for various reasons, from economic to political instability. In this article, we'll take a closer look at several countries that enforce strict entry regulations.
8 Hardest Countries to Get a Visa to Visit
According to Visa Guide and Times of India, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are among the hardest countries to get a visa to visit, with other nations mentioned as follows:
1. Russia
While it's not entirely impossible to cross the border into Russia, the visa application process can be overwhelming. The form consists of numerous questions and requires applicants to detail their travel history for the past ten years, including destinations, dates, and length of stay. If you're an American, it's also said that the set of questions is doubled to secure a Russian visa.
2. Iran
Notorious for its strict policies, Iran is one of the hardest countries to get a visa to visit. Applicants are asked for a verification code issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before applying for a visa. It's estimated that only 1000 to 2000 Iranian visas are issued to international visitors each year.
On the other hand, with the introduction of eVisas, travelers from various countries can now apply for a visa on arrival once they have been pre-approved.
3. North Korea
It's almost impossible for travelers to obtain a visa for a country as isolated as North Korea. Not only must a visitor go through government-approved tourist agencies, but they are not allowed to travel around the country without supervision. In addition to the rather rigid authority, citizens of the United States and South Korea are not eligible for visas to North Korea.
4. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is considered as one of the hardest countries to get a visa to visit due to the annual surge of Muslim pilgrims for the Hajj. To avoid overcrowding, Saudi Arabia restricts non-Muslims from entering Mecca or Medina. However, travelers can now apply for an eVisa if they meet the requirements for the electronic permit.
5. Turkmenistan
Almost all travelers require a visa to cross the border into Turkmenistan, with a few exceptions for visitors from certain parts of Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan and visitors holding diplomatic passports. Applicants must also have a Letter of Invitation (LOI) from the Turkmen State Migration Service and a sponsor to obtain the issued letter. The entire process can take up to 20 days.
6. Chad
Chad is one of the hardest countries to get a visa to, as only 14 countries in the world grant visa-free access. To obtain the invitation letter, Chad visa applicants must have a sponsor or at least a booked hotel room in the country's capital, N'Djamena. Moreover, the booking system in Chad hotels only allows a full-pay basis with a non-refundable policy.
7. Bhutan
In an effort to preserve the country's natural environment, Bhutan doesn't allow individual visas. As a result, travelers must join a licensed Bhutanese tour operator to cross the borders. Aside from the pre-arranged tour, visitors are also required to pay a $65 sustainability fee online to obtain online application approval from the Tourism Council of Bhutan.
8. Somalia
Ranked sixth on the Global Peace Index as one of the most dangerous countries in the world, many nations are reluctant to issue visitor visas. With its underdeveloped infrastructure and a limited number of Somali embassies globally, Somalia remains one of the hardest countries to obtain a visa for.
Traveling to the hardest countries to get a visa can be a complex and challenging process, but it’s not entirely impossible. However, if you are into more lenient visa policies, check out these cheapest countries to travel in 2025 here.
Visa Guide | Times of India
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