In this guide
Several rules changed in 2026. Thailand cut visa-free stays for Americans from 60 to 30 days on 15 September 2026. Korea's K-ETA exemption for US citizens ends on 31 December 2026. China still requires a visa for a simple round trip, though a trip through China to a third country can use 240-hour visa-free transit. Always check the embassy site the week you book.
At a glance (US passport holders)
| Country | Entry for a short tourist stay | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | No visa, up to 30 days, tourism only (since 15 Sep 2026) | Was 60 days; business and work need a visa; one extension of up to 30 days may be possible |
| South Korea | No visa | K-ETA exemption ends 31 Dec 2026; from 1 Jan 2027, apply for a K-ETA before flying |
| China | Visa required for a normal round trip | 240-hour visa-free transit if arriving from one country and leaving to a different one, via designated ports and regions |
| Turkey | No visa, up to 90 days in any 180 (since Jan 2024) | Passport validity rules apply |
| Japan | No visa, up to 90 days | Paid work needs a visa |
| Taiwan | No visa, up to 90 days | Passport valid for the whole stay; return or onward ticket |
| Mexico | No visa for short tourist stays | Check state-level travel advisories |
Thailand: 30 days, tourism only
Thailand's 2024 scheme allowed Americans 60 days visa-free. A new scheme published in August 2026 took effect on 15 September 2026: up to 30 days, for tourism only. A one-time extension of up to 30 days may be granted at an immigration office. A checkup trip is usually well within 30 days, but longer recovery stays may need a visa.
South Korea: K-ETA is coming back
Korea temporarily exempted US citizens from its electronic travel authorization (K-ETA). That exemption runs to 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027, Americans need an approved K-ETA before boarding. Apply only through the official K-ETA website, and allow time for approval.
China: visa, or transit to a third country
China doesn't offer Americans visa-free entry for an ordinary round trip, so most US travelers need a tourist visa. The exception is 240-hour visa-free transit: if you arrive from one country and leave for a different one, you can stay up to 10 days in permitted regions, entering and leaving through designated ports.
That makes a combined trip possible, for example US → Seoul → Shanghai → US: a checkup in Seoul, then up to 10 days in China without a visa. Confirm the route, ports and regions with China's National Immigration Administration and your airline before booking.
Other things to check
- Passport validity: many countries want at least six months left on your passport.
- Arrival cards: some countries now use digital arrival forms (Thailand's TDAC, for example).
- Travel advisories: check the US State Department's level for your destination and any regional warnings.
- Insurance: see our guide on travel medical and evacuation cover.
Sources
- Royal Thai Embassy: updated visa exemption scheme, effective 15 Sep 2026 helsinki.thaiembassy.org
- Korean Embassy: K-ETA exemption extension notice overseas.mofa.go.kr
- US State Department: South Korea travel.state.gov
- Shanghai government: 240-hour visa-free transit english.shanghai.gov.cn
- China NIA announcement, Aug 2026 en.nia.gov.cn
- Consulate-General of Japan in Miami: temporary visitors miami.us.emb-japan.go.jp
- Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs: visa-exempt entry boca.gov.tw
- Afar: Türkiye drops visa requirement for US and Canada afar.com
Please note. Rules change often; confirm with the official embassy or immigration website before booking. General information, not legal advice.
Reviewed at least every three monthsNo paid placementsInformation, not medical adviceOur editorial standards
Joe Yang, PhD, Economics. Joe Yang holds a PhD in economics from the University of Washington. For four years Joe evaluated the costs and savings of US health programs for insurers and employers at a health-analytics company, and before that studied pricing and demand as an economist at Amazon and a data scientist at Oracle. These guides apply the same discipline to a simpler question: what care really costs, and where.
