The Weakest Link: Where Your U.S. Passport is Allowed

The strong vs. weak passport talk may be foreign to someone who does not travel often. Many citizens don’t understand the pot of gold they’re sitting on with their “strong” passports. A “strong” passport is classified as a country whose passport allows you into most countries visa-free or visa-on-arrival. Once upon a time, the United States was one of the strongest passports to hold but now holds the power equivalent to a passport from Mexico. In 2019 it tied the number 6 spot Belgium, Canada, Greece, Ireland, Norway, United Kingdom, and Switzerland being able to enter 180 countries visa-free. Just 6 shy of what the strongest passport, Japan offers.

As of July 2020, the countries that will even allow U.S. passport holders to enter has plummeted. This is due to the fact that the United States did not handle the Covid outbreak with the necessary precautions as other countries. Currently here are the countries we are allowed into (allowed sounds like we’re on punishment for misbehaving). *As of July 7, 2020*

Open

The countries below are open without any restrictions or requirements.

Open With Restrictions

The countries below are open with various restrictions.

Antigua and Barbuda

Negative Covid-19 test result within 7 days
Aruba
Negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours for travelers from 24 US states
Barbados
Negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours
Belize
Declaration of no Covid-19 symptoms 72 hours
Bermuda
Negative Covid-19 test result within 5 days + $75
Cambodia
Negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours + $3,000 Covid-19 deposit
Croatia
Negative Covid-19 test not older than 48 hours presented on arrival
Ecuador
Mandatory 14 day quarantine and negative Covid-19 test result within 7 days
Egypt
Negative Covid-19 test result within 48 hours
French Polynesia
Negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours
Jamaica
Travelers from New York, Florida, Arizona and Texas must have negative test result within 10 days

Rwanda

Arrival by private jet or charter only until August 1, then commercial flights will resume
St. Barts
Negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours
St. Lucia
Negative Covid-19 test result within 7 days
St. Maarten
(Opens August 1 — though subject to change)
St. Vincent and Grenadines
Covid-19 test on arrival with mandatory 24 hour quarantine while awaiting results
Tanzania
Covid-19 tests on arrival are possible
Turks and Caicos
(Opens July 22 with restrictions)
Ukraine
Download app, test upon arrival, 24 hours self isolation
United Arab Emirates
Only Dubai is open, all other Emirates are closed
United Kingdom
Self-isolate for 14 days