Quick trips are fun, but often you need months to truly explore a place. Remote workers have the job flexibility to stay overseas for long stretches. Unfortunately, most countries limit the amount of time you can visit to a mere 90 days. On this blog, we introduce our readers to a variety of residency programs and digital nomad visas. However, those long-stay options typically require a lot of paperwork! If you are planning a long trip, but want to avoid government bureaucracy, we suggest you stick with tourist visas. Immigration laws change all the time, but at time of writing, here are some long-stay destinations for U.S. tourists. To keep up to date with current requirements, we recommend visiting the U.S. Department of State — Bureau of Consular Affairs.
*Officially this article applies to USA passport holders, but in most cases travelers from similar “first-world” countries such as Canada, UK, Australia, and the EU will qualify for the same visa. Please do your own research to confirm your eligibility.
One-Year Tourist Stays
Albania:
The Republic of Albania is a fascinating Western Balkan country that overlooks the Ionian and Adriatic Seas. It is diverse geographically and culturally. You can tan on the picturesque beaches of the Albanian Riviera, or hike through the towering Albanian Alps. Tourist attractions range from Islamic monuments dating back to the Ottoman era to ancient ruins of Roman and Greek temples. The climate in Albania is quite pleasant. In fact, it is Europe’s second-sunniest country (after Spain).
Its capital, Tirana, is a small but thriving city with a population of approximately 550,000. When we visited, we hung out at some hip rooftop bars, had tea at the opulent Xheko Imperial hotel, and climbed the Pyramid of Tirana.
Albania is one of the most affordable tourist destinations in Europe, so it is tempting to stay longer. For example, costs of living in Tirana are almost half of those in New York City. Thus, it is exciting to learn that Albania offers Americans a year-long tourist option. U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter the Republic of Albania. They can stay for up to 365 days, without applying for a residency permit.
Georgia:
In our article Why To Consider Offshore Banking, we discussed Georgia’s efficient banking system. However, it is also a lovely place to visit! The country is located in the Caucasus region, on the border of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is quite mountainous, but also has a vast waterfront along the Black Sea.
Tbilisi is Georgia’s capital and largest city, with a population of approximately 1.2 million. It is one of Europe’s oldest capitals. Fortunately, you can still visit Old Tbilisi, which dates back to the early Middle Ages. The city’s top tourist sites include the Bridge of Peace, Narikala Fortress, Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, and Liberty Square. We enjoyed simply strolling along Rustaveli Avenue, passing landmarks such as the opera house and parliament building and ducking into local cafés. Batumi is another Georgian tourist hub, thanks to its sunny beaches, unique architecture, and thriving nightlife.
Georgia has incredible food and wine. In fact, it is one of the oldest wine producers in the world. Be sure to try local delicacies such as kinkali and khachapuri.
With so many distinct regions and climates, you could spend a long time exploring Georgia. Fortunately, U.S. citizens can enter without a visa and live, work, or study in Georgia for up to 365 days.
Palau:
The Republic of Palau is a small nation in the western Pacific Ocean, about 400 miles east of the Philippines. It is an archipelago made up of 340 coral and volcanic islands that together span approximately 180 square miles. It is one of the most popular scuba diving destinations in Micronesia, boasting over 1500 different species of fish. The country enjoys a tropical rainforest climate, uses the United States dollar as its official currency, and has English as its second official language.
Koror City is Palau’s largest city and its commercial center. Almost 15,000 people call the city home. It is also the tourism hub, with a variety of resorts and restaurants. If you are looking for a more serene experience, visit Palau’s capital city, Ngerulmud. It is the world’s least populous national capital, with a population under 500. However, it has impressive government buildings and untouched natural wonders.
Palau is a presidential republic in free association with the United States, so it is not surprising that American tourists are welcome there. If you are a U.S. citizen visiting Palau for less than a year, you do not need a visa.
Six-Month Tourist Stays:
Since there are so many options, we will forgo a lengthy discussion of each country and merely list your travel options:
Mexico: America’s southern neighbor allows visa-free visits for up to 180 days.
Costa Rica: It allows citizens of “Group One” countries (which includes the United States, Canada, the U.K., and most of Europe) to stay for 180 days. No visa is required, but you must have a return ticket.
Panama: U.S. citizens may enter visa free and stay for 180 days. You must have a return ticket. Panama offers tourists this lengthy stay, but if you plan on driving around, please note that you can only drive on your USA license for 90 days.
Fiji: You can visit this island nation for four months visa-free with a U.S. passport. You may be asked to show an onward or return ticket. In some cases, officials ask for proof of sufficient funds to support your stay. During the four months, an American on holiday can request to extend their stay for another two months.
Chile: U.S. citizens do not need a visa prior to arrival. You will be issued a Tourist Card valid for up to 90 days. However, you can extend your stay for another 90 days by paying an extension fee at the Chilean Immigration Office in Santiago.
Colombia: USA passport holders entering Columbia for tourism purposes are automatically granted a 90-day stay. Before your three-month stay expires, you can request an extension of up to 90 additional days by visiting the Migración Colombia office.
Seychelles: Seychelles is a visa-free country. However, all travelers are required to fill out an electronic Travel Authorization form prior to traveling (it costs about $10). Americans are granted visitor permits upon arrival. Your Visitor’s Permit is initially granted for a stay of up to three months, but you can extend it for another three months so long as you continue to have a valid onward ticket, accommodation arrangements, and sufficient funds to support your stay (approximately $150 per day).
Ecuador: If you are an American traveling for business or tourism, you do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 12-month period. You can request an extension through the offices of the Migration Support Service by presenting your passport, a completed Application Form for Extension of Authorized Stay Permit, and paying a fee that is equal to a third of the Ecuadorian Basic Salary (in 2025 approx. $150).
If you know of other countries that offer long-stay options for American travelers feel free to add them in the comments section below. Another option for long-stays is to apply for digital nomad visas like the one we discussed in our article Nomad Life in Croatia Made Easy.