How to Check Visa Requirements Before You Travel
Updated Jun 10, 2026
Entry requirements depend on your nationality, your destination, the purpose of your trip, and how long you are staying. Here is a reliable way to check them so there are no surprises at the border.
Start with your passport, not the destination
Requirements are decided by the combination of your passport country and where you are going. The same destination can be visa-free for one nationality and require a visa for another, so always check using the passport you will actually travel on.
Identify the requirement type
Find out whether your trip is visa-free, needs an eTA, an eVisa, a visa on arrival, or a visa arranged in advance. This tells you how early you need to act — an eTA can take minutes, while a consular visa can take weeks.
Check the conditions, not just the headline
A "visa-free" verdict still comes with conditions. Confirm:
The maximum length of stay permitted. Required passport validity (often six months beyond travel). Whether proof of onward travel or funds is required. Whether the rule covers your purpose of travel (tourism, business, transit, etc.).
Always verify against the official source
Rules change frequently and without notice. Whatever tool you use, confirm the result against the destination government’s official immigration portal before you book non-refundable travel. ClearForTravel links you directly to those official sources for each route.