Do you need a visa?

Visa free

You can board with just your passport. Some visa-free destinations still require an arrival card, a health declaration or proof of onward travel — those are not visas, but being without one will still stop you at the gate.

Visa on arrival

Issued at the border. You do not apply in advance, but you do need to arrive with the required documents and, usually, the fee in cash. Approval is at the discretion of the officer at the counter, which is the part people underestimate.

e-Visa

Applied for and issued online before you travel. The visa is linked to your passport number electronically; most countries no longer require you to print it, though carrying a copy costs nothing.

Sticker visa

A physical label placed in your passport, which means your passport has to physically reach the consulate. These take the longest, require the most supporting documents, and often involve an appointment.