Southeast Asia for US travelers. The Philippines gets the most detail. Every tip links to its source.
Summarized only from official government sources and US State Department country pages. Rules change, so confirm with the official links before you book. "Check official site" means the sources didn't state a clear rule. This is not legal advice.
Visa: No visa required for stays of 30 days or less. A visa is required for longer stays and must be applied for before travel.
Arrival form: eTravel registration, which the official site says is FREE.
Passport: Valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date, with space for an entry stamp.
Onward ticket: check official site (the State Dept page doesn't cover onward tickets).
Safety: Advisory Level 2 (issued Sep 1, 2026).
Official sources: eTravel (official) · Bureau of Immigration · US State Dept page
Before you go: SIM cards must be registered, so the State Dept suggests a travel eSIM (Airalo Philippines eSIM). See our First-Timer Checklist.
Last checked: Oct 17, 2026
Visa: No visa required for stays under 60 days. The State Dept notes the government may soon reduce this to 30 days; check the "admit until" stamp you get on arrival.
Arrival form: Pre-arrival online registration is required (Thailand Digital Arrival Card, TDAC).
Passport: Valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date and undamaged.
Onward ticket: Immigration officials or airline staff may ask for an onward or return ticket and proof of funds.
Safety: Advisory Level 1 (issued Jul 7, 2026).
Official sources: TDAC (Thai Immigration) · Thai e-Visa (MFA) · US State Dept page
Last checked: Oct 17, 2026
Visa: A visa is required before travel; the e-Visa is the official online option. Exception: stays of 30 days or less on Phu Quoc island only.
Arrival form: Travelers arriving by air on a non-Vietnamese passport must fill out a pre-arrival declaration form no earlier than 3 days before arrival.
Passport: Valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date, with at least 2 blank pages. Vietnam may not accept the US emergency passport for an e-visa.
Onward ticket: check official site. The e-visa is issued for the exact dates you request and cannot be extended in the country.
Safety: Advisory Level 1 (issued Jun 24, 2026).
Official sources: Vietnam e-Visa (official) · US State Dept page
Last checked: Oct 17, 2026
Visa: A visa is required. Options are an e-Visa applied for online (within 90 days of arrival) or a visa on arrival. The State Dept lists a 30-day e-visa for arrivals at the Jakarta and Bali airports.
Arrival form: An online arrival card and customs declaration (All Indonesia), completed within 72 hours of arrival; it is free. Bali also charges a separate tourist levy of IDR 150,000.
Passport: Valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date, undamaged, with 2 blank pages.
Onward ticket: The e-Visa application asks for a booked return flight.
Safety: Advisory Level 2 (issued Jul 7, 2026); do not travel to Central Papua or Highland Papua.
Official sources: Indonesia e-Visa (official) · US State Dept page
Last checked: Oct 17, 2026
Visa: No visa required for tourism or business stays of 90 days or less.
Arrival form: The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) must be completed before you travel.
Passport: Valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date, with 1 blank page and no water damage.
Onward ticket: check official site.
Safety: Advisory Level 1 (issued Feb 22, 2026).
Official sources: MDAC (Immigration Dept) · US State Dept page
Last checked: Oct 17, 2026
Visa: No visa required for stays of 90 days or less.
Arrival form: The SG Arrival Card (SGAC) with health declaration, submitted no more than 3 days before arrival; it is free.
Passport: Valid for 6 months beyond your date of departure.
Onward ticket: check official site.
Safety: Advisory Level 1 (issued Mar 9, 2026).
Official sources: SG Arrival Card (ICA) · US State Dept page
Last checked: Oct 17, 2026
Visa: A visa is required. You can get one on arrival or apply online for an e-Visa 7 calendar days before travel; the government recommends getting it in advance. Tourist visas are valid for 1 month.
Arrival form: Cambodia e-Arrival, which can be submitted within 7 days before arrival.
Passport: Valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date, with 1 blank page.
Onward ticket: check official site.
Safety: Advisory Level 2 (issued Sep 15, 2026); do not travel within 50 km of the Thai border.
Official sources: Cambodia e-Visa (official) · US State Dept page
Last checked: Oct 17, 2026
Visa: A visa is required. Visas on arrival are available at major ports of entry, or you can get an eVisa from the official government website.
Arrival form: Arrival and departure cards can be submitted online through the Lao Department of Immigration; paper forms are also available.
Passport: Valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date, with 2 blank pages.
Onward ticket: check official site.
Safety: Advisory Level 2 (issued Jul 28, 2026).
Official sources: Laos eVisa (official) · US State Dept page
Last checked: Oct 17, 2026
Visa: A visa is required before travel (embassy or the official eVisa).
Arrival form: check official site.
Passport: Valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date, with 1 blank page.
Onward ticket: check official site.
Safety: Level 4 – Do not travel (issued May 8, 2026).
Official sources: Myanmar eVisa (official) · US State Dept page
Last checked: Oct 17, 2026
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