People who wish to cross borders often need to obtain a visa for their destination country. There are different types of visas, including tourist, business, and transit visas. These visas can also vary in terms of duration, number of entries allowed, and other factors.
Visa-free entry to another country — meaning no paperwork or lengthy interviews — is only possible if the two countries have signed a bilateral agreement. Depending on your citizenship, your passport may have varying levels of “power,” granting access to different countries for visa-free entry.
Key Benefits of Visa-Free Travel
Traveling to visa-free countries offers numerous advantages for tourists. One of the most significant benefits is the elimination of the tedious visa application process, which saves both time and resources.
Saving Time and Money
By not needing to apply for and pay for visas, travelers can conserve resources, including both time and money. Visa-free countries typically have simplified entry requirements that reduce bureaucratic barriers. This allows you to focus on your journey instead of dealing with complicated administrative procedures.
A Schengen visa for Spain costs $94 for a Turkish citizen. The processing time for this visa is about 2 weeks, so a Turkish passport holder must plan their trip well in advance. In contrast, a UK citizen does not require a visa to travel to Spain, which allows them greater flexibility when planning their trip.
Flexibility in Travel Planning
Obtaining a visa often comes with long waiting periods, which can disrupt your travel plans. This situation can be particularly critical when your itinerary is tightly scheduled and delays in visa issuance could lead to missed opportunities, cancellations, or financial losses. Visa-free travel allows you to enter and stay in a country for a specified period without the need to apply for a visa.
Advantages for Business and Investors
The visa-free regime also provides increased opportunities for business and investment. Business trips are essential for expanding international trade and establishing partnerships with foreign companies. With visa-free travel, entrepreneurs and executives can move more freely, saving both time and resources while pursuing new opportunities.
The Role of Investment Programs in Expanding Visa-Free Opportunities
Residency by Investment Programs (RBI) and Citizenship by Investment Programs (CIP) enable investors to enjoy greater freedom of movement, including visa-free travel to various countries.
What are RBI and CIP?
Residency by Investment Programs (RBI) is a government program that allows foreign citizens to obtain residency in a country making specific investments in its economy. These investments can be in real estate, stocks, bonds, starting a business, or donating to foundations.
In return for these actions, the investor is granted a residence permit through a simplified process. Additionally, the investor’s immediate family members, including spouses and children, are usually eligible for residence cards and the associated benefits.
One of the main advantages of RBI programs, compared to other immigration options, is the high level of freedom it offers. You can enjoy the benefits of residency without being required to live permanently in the country, pay taxes like its citizens, or stay in the country for extended periods.
Another important aspect to consider is visa freedom.
If the country where you have obtained a residence permit is part of a political association, you may have the opportunity to travel visa-free within that zone.
For instance, if your passport does not allow you to travel visa-free to the Schengen Area, having a Greek residence permit enables you to visit Portugal, Spain, and other Schengen countries without a visa.
Citizenship by Investment Programs (CIP) allow an individual to be legally recognized as a citizen of two or more countries simultaneously. This option is available in various countries around the world, including Caribbean countries, Malta, Turkey and Vanuatu.
Having multiple citizenships allows a person to gain additional immigration status, providing them with double benefits. For instance, with two nationalities, an individual can enhance their travel opportunities by using the passport from the country that offers visa-free entry at the border.
Advantages of These Programs
The primary advantage of RBI and CIP programs is that they expand lifestyle and business opportunities through increased global mobility. Participants gain the ability to relocate to a more favorable jurisdiction, along with essential rights. Additionally, these programs are among the best methods to ensure economic and political stability.
Overview of Popular Investment Destinations
Among the most sought-after investment destinations for obtaining second citizenship are Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Kitts & Nevis.
| Country | Antigua and Barbuda | Grenada | Dominica | St. Lucia | St. Kitts & Nevis |
| Term of citizenship received | from 4 months | from 10 months | from 6 months | from 6–8 months | from 6–8 months |
| Donation from | $230,000 | $235,000 | $200,000 | $240,000 | $260,000 |
| Visa-free entry | 154 states, including the UK and Shengen states | 148 states, including the UK, Shengen states and China | 140 states | 148 states, including the UK and Shengen states | 156 states, including the UK and Shengen states |
Greece, Cyprus and Hungary are among the most popular investment destinations in the European Union.
| Country | Greece | Cyprus | Hungary |
| Term of citizenship received | from 6 months | from 6 months | from 4 months |
| Donation from | $260,000 (in real estate purchase) | $313,000 (in real estate purchase) | $260,000 |
| Visa-free entry | Visa-free travel in the Schengen area | Visa-free travel in the Schengen area | Visa-free travel in the Schengen area |
Overview of Countries with Wide Visa-Free Opportunities
In today’s world, visa-free travel is essential for international travelers. The following details regions where countries offer extensive visa-free travel options.
Caribbean Nations
Obtaining a passport of St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, or St. Lucia grants you visa-free access to many countries, including the UK and EU states. Here’s a breakdown of the number of countries each passport allows access to:
- St Kitts and Nevis — 156
- Antigua and Barbuda — 154
- Grenada and St. Lucia — 148
Asia and Europe
Turkey is one of the most popular countries in both Asia and Europe, providing visa-free access to 118 states. You can obtain citizenship in Turkey by making a minimum investment of $400,000.
Malta also boasts a strong passport, allowing visa-free entry to the Schengen Area and 190 other countries, including the USA and the UK. Notably, it is the only passport in the EU that can be obtained through investment. The minimum investment required to acquire Maltese citizenship — $719,000.
The Current Global State of Visa-Free Agreements
As of 2025, many countries around the world have established visa-free travel agreements to enhance global mobility. One of the most significant regional agreements is within the European Union (EU) and the Schengen Area. Citizens of EU member states, as well as those from Schengen countries (such as Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland), enjoy visa-free travel throughout the region.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) also plays a crucial role in facilitating visa-free travel. Member countries of CARICOM have implemented a visa-free regime that allows citizens to travel freely among the member states.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has introduced the GCC Grand Tours visa, also known as the GCC Unified Tourist visa. This single visa permits travel across the 6 member states: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain.
Practical Tips for Travelers
If you are traveling without a visa, keep the following practical tips in mind:
- First, ensure that your passport meets the necessary entry criteria for your destination country. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after your scheduled departure date, as many countries require this for entry, even under visa-free agreements.
- The allowed duration of stay varies by country and nationality with visa-free entry. Most agreements permit short stays, typically ranging from 30 to 90 days.
- Even with visa-free entry, you may still need to provide certain documents for unhindered access to your destination country. These documents can include proof of travel insurance, invitations, or other relevant paperwork, depending on the country and the nature of your visit. For example, your travel insurance should cover emergency medical care, trip cancellations, baggage loss, and emergency evacuation.
ETIAS
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) is an electronic system designed to verify the security of travelers entering the European Union (EU). It is set to launch in May 2025.
ETIAS will gather information about applicants from several major databases simultaneously. One of these databases is the Schengen Information System, where 30 EU countries record data on individuals facing deportation, those who are wanted, and individuals who have overstayed their visas or residence permits.
Even for those traveling without a visa, obtaining an electronic entry permit through ETIAS will be necessary. For instance, holders of Caribbean passports will need an ETIAS permit to visit Europe. However, those with a Golden Visa of an EU country will be exempt from this requirement.
ETA
The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is a permit required to cross the UK border and may be necessary even for travelers who are eligible for visa-free entry. The application fee for an ETA is $12.
Here are some key differences between the ETA and an e-visa:
- The ETA is linked to a passport equipped with a chip. When the passport is scanned at the destination, the screening officer can immediately verify the presence of the ETA.
- The ETA is valid for several years and allows for multiple entries. For instance, in Canada, it is issued for a period of 5 years. The number of entries and the maximum length of stay are determined by the general provisions of migration legislation.
- The ETA is required even for transit flights. This means that transit passengers traveling to Canada or the UK — who do not intend to leave the airport — must also obtain an ETA.
How Astons Can Help
Astons provides legal support exclusively for citizenship and residence permit programs. This content is intended for informational purposes only.
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FAQ
What is visa-free travel?
Visa-free travel allows individuals to enter another country without the need for documentation or lengthy interviews, provided that the two countries have signed a bilateral agreement. Depending on your nationality, your passport may grant varied access to multiple countries for visa-free entry.
How does visa-free travel work?
How long can I stay in a country without a visa?
