10 Most Difficult Countries To Get Visa For Travelling: North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran And More

Others like Russia and Angola, ask for detailed information and official invitations. For some places, such as Bhutan, you need to book your entire trip through a government-approved agency before you can even apply. These visa policies make it hard for tourists or even business travellers to plan a visit. In this article, we will look at the top 10 countries that are considered the hardest to get a visa for, and why they have such strict entry rules. The data is taken from Visaguide. world.

1. North Korea

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Getting a visa for North Korea is very difficult because of how isolated the country is and the strictness about who can visit. You couldn't just submit a tourist visa application yourself. It is always necessary to book an organised tour, with a designated travel agency that has approval directly from the regime. The travel agency will then handle your visa application beneficially as part of a tour package. The trip is completely structured, and you will always be with two guides. The visa process, therefore, is less about "acceptance" into North Korea and more about your acceptance onto one of these very controlled tours.

2. Saudi Arabia

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Although tourism in Saudi Arabia is becoming easier with e-visas for several nationalities, obtaining a visa can still become challenging for some or some purposes. Although the application process is often online, it expects the applicant to have ordered all their documents correctly, for example, proof of funds, travel insurance and confirmed bookings. They are strict about the purpose of travel, and any errors in the application or past travel or records will cause rejection of the visa. The process is usually through an embassy or consulate with more documentation for visa types outside of tourism or for citizens of countries that are not eligible for e-visas.

3. Turkmenistan

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Turkmenistan has a reputation for being one of the most difficult countries to get a visa for because of the restrictive policies set by the government. To apply for a tourist visa, you usually must have a "letter of invitation", which must be arranged by a licensed Turkmen travel agency. This agency will have to obtain government approval for your visit as well. This process can take a long time and even when you have a tour arranged, visas are often denied with no explanation. There is no easy online application for most people, and you must rely on the local agency to obtain the crucial invitation.

4. Cuba

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For many travellers, getting a visa for Cuba (often referred to as a "tourist card") is going to be quite simple, especially if they are coming from Europe or Canada, as sometimes airlines and travel agencies provide the visas and/or sell them online. However, for U.S. citizens, it can be a more complicated situation due to U.S. government restrictions on tourism. U.S. citizens must travel under 12 categories of authorised travel, and there are restrictions on purely tourist travel that do not technically permit them to travel for tourism purposes. In your scenario of obtaining a tourist card, you just need to make sure that your travel is in the category of authorised travel and then obtain the tourist card. For other types of visas or if you're not eligible for a tourist card, you'd apply through a Cuban embassy, which can be a more formal process.

5. Iran

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Acquiring an Iranian tourist visa can be quite challenging, especially for travellers coming from Western countries, and particularly those from the USA, UK and Canada, who typically must book a pre-arranged tour (with a government-approved guide) for their entire stay in Iran. A key part of the process is getting an "authorisation code" from the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which your tour operator helps you with. Only after receiving this authorisation code can you apply for the actual visa at an Iranian embassy or consulate, and in some cases, an e-visa, as long as it doesn't require the authorisation code. The process for obtaining a visa can take time and is often complicated due to political relations with your home country. For other nationalities, the process may be easier, and there may be e-visa options available.

6. Syria

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Syria remains almost prohibited to tourists due to the ongoing conflict and the dangerous and unstable situation. Tourists find it extremely difficult or impossible to obtain a visa for Syria. Numerous Syrian embassies around the world have either stopped issuing visas or are only partially operational. Most of the time, entering Syria necessitates obtaining a special permit from the Syrian government, which is rarely granted in cases involving tourists these days. Travelling to the country for non-essential purposes is not advised by most governments due to safety concerns, and the process of obtaining a visa is unclear.

7. Afghanistan

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Due to the current political climate and serious security concerns, obtaining a visa for Afghanistan is currently very difficult. Afghan visas are either not currently issued by embassies in many countries or are only partially operational. The procedure for travellers usually entails applying at one of the few Afghan embassies or consulates that still accept applications (typically in nearby nations) or using specialised travel companies that are familiar with the most recent regulations. An e-visa system is not generally operational for the majority of foreign nationals, and you cannot obtain a visa upon arrival.

8. Chad

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It can be challenging to obtain a visa for Chad because the procedure is more bureaucratic and less efficient than in many other nations. For most people, there isn't a straightforward e-visa system. Usually, you have to apply in person at a Chadian embassy or consulate. A letter of invitation or confirmed hotel reservations are frequently required. Processing times can be erratic, and the documentation must be meticulously prepared. Additionally, you typically have a few days after your arrival to register with the local authorities.

9. Somalia

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Due to the country's severe security threats and protracted political unrest, Somalia is among the hardest countries to obtain a visa for. The majority of governments advise their citizens not to go there at all. Although certain regions of Somalia, such as Somaliland, which regards itself as independent, may have somewhat easier visa procedures, it is extremely difficult for tourists to obtain a federally recognised visa for Somalia. If a visa is granted, it's usually for necessary travel and requires a difficult approval procedure.

10. Russia

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With the current geopolitical tensions impacting citizens of many Western countries, obtaining a visa for Russia can be a difficult and drawn-out process. A formal "invitation letter" (also called a visa support) from a Russian travel agency, hotel, or other organisation with a license is usually required. You will be required to submit precise travel dates and itineraries on the comprehensive application form. For citizens of certain nations, Russia has implemented an electronic visa system, which streamlines the application process for qualified candidates. However, for many others, the conventional method of submitting all necessary paperwork at an embassy or visa centre is still required, and scrutiny may be intense.

 

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