Visa Requirements for Puerto Rican Citizens

Visa requirements for citizens of Puerto Ricans are administrative entry restrictions placed on residents of Puerto Rico by the authorities of other countries and territories worldwide.

Under an act of the US congress, anyone born in Puerto Rico is a citizen of the United States by birth and Puerto Ricans can move freely between the island and the mainland. Accordingly, Puerto Rican passport holders are also subject to the same global visa requirements as citizens of mainland USA.

At present, Puerto Rican nationals are able to visit over 100 countries without a visa for varying periods of temporary stay. The duration of visa-free visit varies depending on the destination, from 15 days up to 1 year.

An additional 25 countries allow Puerto Ricans to obtain an eVisa or electronic travel authorization through an expedited application protocol. This simple online process eliminates the need to wait in a long immigration queue at a border checkpoint to obtain a visa on arrival or apply in person for a visa from an embassy or consulate of the destination.

Electronic travel visa authorizations for nationals of Puerto Rico permit short-term stays in the country of issue that vary from 15 to 90 days. They usually permit entry to the destination for purposes of tourism, transit, or business purposes.

To visit these same countries for other purposes, it is necessary to apply for a visa for Puerto Ricans in person from a diplomatic government office of the destination. Additionally, an embassy visa is required to travel to roughly 80 territories as a Puerto Rican passport holder regardless of duration of stay or the motive of the visit.

You can find a full breakdown of the different entry types for travelers from Puerto Rico in the boxes.

List of Visa Countries for Puerto Rican Passport Holders in 2021

Current worldwide visa requirements for Puerto Ricans identify up to 135 countries for which an approved visa or travel authorization is required, no matter the duration of stay or the motive of the visit.

Of these countries, over 25 permit Puerto Ricans to obtain an electronic travel authorization or eVisa through a simplified online application protocol. This eliminates the need to wait in long immigration lines to complete a visa on arrival application and supply paper supporting documents at the border of their destination.

Online visa waivers and eVisas for Puerto Rican passport holders are usually issued for purposes of tourism, business, or transit, and for short-term stays. They are often electronically linked to the visitor’s passport upon approval, removing the need to print a paper document.

To visit these destinations for long-term stays or for purposes such as to undertake employment or study, an embassy visa for Puerto Rican citizens is required. Puerto Ricans also need to have an approved visa from a diplomatic government office to visit around 80 countries no matter the purpose of travel or length of stay.

Discover more detailed information about these visa types for Puerto Ricans below.

Electronic Travel Visa Authorization

Electronic Travel Visa Authorization programs allow travelers from Puerto Rico to easily obtain an eVisa or online visa waiver for over 25 destinations around the world.

These expedited electronic visa application protocols enable foreigners to apply through a simple online form, to receive an approved travel authorization or eVisa either sent by email or digitally linked to a passport. Therefore, they remove the need to visit an embassy in person or apply for a visa on arrival by waiting in long immigration queues at border checkpoints.

To apply for an Electronic Travel Visa Authorization from Puerto Rico, individuals are simply required to fill in a digital application with basic personal data, passport details, and travel information. The form can usually be completed in just a few minutes.

After uploading any necessary supporting documentation and paying a processing fee using a valid credit or debit card, the applicant can submit their Electronic Travel Visa Authorization form. Applications are usually processed within a few business days.

Approved electronic travel authorizations or eVisas may be issued for a single entry or multiple entries. They permit a short-term stay from 15 to 90 days, depending on the country of issue.

Check the Electronic Travel Visa Authorization countries for Puerto Ricans in the list below.

ETIAS for Puerto Rican Citizens

At present, travelers from Puerto Rico are granted permission to enter any of the countries in the European Schengen Area visa-free for stays of 90 days within any 180-day period.

However, this will change by the end of 2022, when the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will be introduced for all visa-waiver nationalities for Europe, including Puerto Ricans.

Once this program is implemented, it will be necessary for all Puerto Rican passport holders to obtain an ETIAS visa waiver to travel to Europe for short-term stays for tourism, business, transit, or medical treatment.

This electronic travel authorization will be available through a simple online application that only takes a few minutes to complete with basic passport, travel, and personal information.

Once approved, an ETIAS for Puerto Rican citizens is electronically linked to the traveler’s passport, which can then be presented upon arrival at Schengen Area border control to gain entry. It is a multiple entry travel authorization valid for 3 years from issue, meaning that there is no need to submit an application before every trip to Europe.

Visa On Arrival

At present, it is possible to obtain a visa on arrival for Puerto Rican passport holders in roughly 30 countries and territories worldwide. This visa type is issued to travelers directly at an immigration checkpoint of the destination.

Visas on arrivals for Puerto Ricans are usually issued for purposes of tourism or business and allow a total stay from 30 to 90 days depending on the destination. They are usually granted for a single entry to the issuing country.

The protocol of obtaining this entry permit requires you to wait in an immigration line upon arrival at the border of your destination to be handed an application by visa authorities. This form must then be completed with a variety of passport and personal information and travel details.

Immigration officials also usually ask the visitor to present a range of varying supporting documents and to pay a visa on arrival fee before the request can be processed and approved. Payment is often requested in local cash currency because card reading facilities may not be available at the border.

Below you can find a complete list of visa on arrival countries for citizens of Puerto Rico.

Embassy Visa Required

There are currently up to 80 countries and territories for which a consulate or embassy visa for Puerto Rican passport holders is required, regardless of the intended length of the visit or the motive for traveling.

Embassy visas may be issued for a variety of travel purposes, as a tourist visa, business visa, work visa, student visa, or another visa type. They may grant a range of periods of stay and validity and allow either a single entry or multiple entries depending on the needs of the individual.

To apply for an embassy visa for Puerto Rican citizens, it is usually first necessary to make a consular appointment at the nearest diplomatic government office of the destination and complete an application form.

This document must then be brought to the embassy appointment alongside a variety of other supporting documentation depending on the type of visa requested. You may also be asked to pay an embassy visa fee before the application can be processed.

Citizens of Puerto Rico are advised to apply for an embassy visa well in advance of travel dates, as it may take several weeks to process and approve.

Find below a complete list of countries that require Puerto Ricans to have an approved embassy visa.

Afghanistan
Aland Islands
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bonaire
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Brunei Darussalam
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Cocos Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Curacao
Czech Republic
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Federated States of Micronesia
Fiji
Finland
France
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Isle of Man
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Pakistan
Palau
Palestinian Territory
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn Islands
Poland
Portugal
Reunion
Romania
Russian Federation
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
South Korea
Spain
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syrian Arab Republic
Taiwan
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela
Vietnam
Wallis and Futuna
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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Visa Not Required

A travel visa is not required for Puerto Rican citizens to travel to over 105 countries and territories around the world for varying periods of short-term stay. These visa-exempt countries currently include a number of European, South American, and Southeast Asian nations.

Visa-free stays for nationals of Puerto Rico vary from 15 days to 1 year depending on the destination. They are most often granted for purposes of tourism, business or trade activities, or to transit to a third country.

To gain visa exemption to these countries, it is simply necessary to present a valid Puerto Rican passport upon arrival at an immigration checkpoint in the destination. The minimum validity required on the passport varies, so it is important to check this requirement in advance of departure.

To visit these countries for longer durations of stay or purposes other than those permitted visa-free, travelers from Puerto Rico are required to apply for a visa from an embassy or consulate of their destination in advance of departure. They should begin this application protocol several weeks before their intended travel dates to allow for enough processing time.

Browse the list below to check the visa-free countries for Puerto Rican citizens.