First read is on us.

Subscribe today to keep up with the latest travel industry news.

How U.S. visitors can score a visa to ten restricted destinations


Skift Take

It seems near impossible to obtain a visa to North Korea or Iraq by applying in the U.S., but entering through a neighboring nation or setting up a guided tour will usually do the trick.

Most countries have a set of organized visa requirements to facilitate the entry of citizens of other countries for tourism, business, study, work, or retirement purposes. In countries where organized visa requirements are not the rule, getting a visa can confuse and frustrate even the well-seasoned traveler.

Ghirza, Libya  November 2004

This list names Libya as the #1 toughest country for foreign tourists to visit. Photo by Tarek Siala.

Below is a list of the top 10 countries with the most difficult visa processes (in order of increasing difficulty). I have included information on how to go about getting the visa and what you can expect after applying.

Up Next

Business Travel

The State of Corporate Travel and Expense 2025

A new report explores how for travel and finance managers are targeting enhanced ROI, new opportunities, greater efficiencies, time and money savings, and better experiences for employees with innovative travel and expense management solutions.
Sponsored