Countries Where You Can Stay Long-Term on a Tourist Visa
A lot of people think moving abroad means dealing with mountains of paperwork, visa sponsorships, or complicated residency applications.
But guess what? Some countries let you stay for months (or even years) on just a tourist visa—no work permits, no complicated applications, just an entry stamp and a long, stress-free stay.
This guide covers countries where Americans can stay long-term on a tourist visa (or visa-free entry). I’ve been living abroad for over a decade, and this is one of the ways I’ve kept myself abroad for years!
Let me explain…
Table of Contents
How Do Long-Term Tourist Stays Work?
- Visa-Free Entry vs. Tourist Visa – Some places (like Georgia and Albania) don’t require a visa at all, while others (like Indonesia and Thailand) offer long tourist visas you can extend.
- Taxes – You’ll need to check the rules for each country, but generally speaking, if you stay in a country for more than 6 months (183 days in a year), you might be considered a tax resident. This doesn’t always mean you’ll owe taxes, but some countries require tax filings or proof of foreign income. Always check the official tax laws before planning a long stay.
- Extensions & Renewals – Many countries allow you to extend a tourist visa while you’re there (often for a fee). Others require you to leave and return.
- Border Runs – The Reality – Some travelers stretch their stays by leaving the country briefly and coming back. While this still works in some places, others have cracked down on it (looking at you, Thailand and Mexico). More on that below.
Still Unsure on How Visas Work?
What Exactly Is a Tourist Visa Anyway?
A tourist visa (or visa-free entry) is permission from a country to enter and stay for a set amount of time without working or applying for long-term residency.
Some countries give Americans automatic entry (e.g., Mexico, Albania), while others require an advance visa application (e.g., Indonesia’s 60-day visa).
Do I Need to Apply for a Tourist Visa Before I Arrive?
It depends on the country.
- Visa-Free Entry: Some places just stamp your passport on arrival (e.g., Mexico, Thailand, Albania). No application needed.
- Visa on Arrival: Some countries let you apply at the airport but still require a fee or paperwork (e.g., Indonesia, Nepal).
- Pre-Approved Visa Required: Some places require you to apply before arrival (e.g., Vietnam, India). Always check the official government website before booking a flight.
Now, let’s break it down by which countries are the most generous with visas!
Best Countries for Long-Term Tourist Stays
Read more about visas:
- 21 Visas to Help Americans Move Abroad (That You Haven’t Heard of)
- 28 TOP Digital Nomad Visas for Remote Workers
- Longest Tourist Visas for U.S Citizens, How to Extend, & More
- 6 Working Holiday Visas for Americans
- Skilled Work Visas: How to Move Abroad with Your Profession
- ALL Resources on visas
🇦🇱 Albania – 1 Year Visa-Free
Albania is one of the few places in the world where Americans can stay for an entire year visa-free. No paperwork, no fees—just show up and enjoy.
If you fall in love with the country (which, let’s be real, is easy to do), you can apply for a residency permit to extend your stay even longer.
🇬🇪 Georgia – 1 Year Visa-Free
Americans can stay in Georgia for up to 365 days without a visa, making it one of the best long-term stay options in the world.
Georgia also has a digital nomad visa if you decide to make it official, but for casual visitors, the standard tourist stay is already incredibly generous.
🇵🇦 Panama – 6 Months Visa-Free + 60 Days
Panama offers a 180-day stay visa-free, but some travelers have been able to extend it for another 60 days.
You also may want to explore Panama’s residency options.
READ MORE: 39 Cheapest Countries in the World
🇵🇪 Peru – 183 Days Visa-Free
Americans can stay in Peru for up to 183 days per year without a visa, making it a great option for long-term travelers.
While extensions are generally not allowed, some travelers use border runs to restart their stay, but just don’t rely on this method too much.
🇦🇷 Argentina – 90 Days + 90 Day Extension
Argentina allows Americans to stay 90 days visa-free, with an option to extend for another 90 days.
🇨🇦 Canada – 6 Months Visa-Free
Our neighbor to the north allows Americans to stay up to six months at a time without a visa.
Canada is a great place to spend extended summers if you prefer cooler weather and outdoor adventures.
READ MORE: How to Move From The US to Canada
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🇬🇧 United Kingdom – 6 Months Visa-Free
The UK lets Americans stay for up to six months visa-free, but you’ll need to prove you have enough funds and don’t intend to work.
Unlike some other countries, there’s no option to extend beyond six months, so be prepared to hop over to another country when your time is up.
🇲🇽 Mexico – 180 Days Visa-Free
Mexico’s 180-day tourist visa is a favorite among long-term travelers and digital nomads.
It’s easy to get upon arrival, and in some cases, travelers have managed to renew it by leaving and returning (though this isn’t guaranteed). If you’re looking for affordability, warm weather, and amazing food, Mexico is hard to beat.
READ MORE: Cost of Living in Mexico: 16 Top Destinations!
🇨🇴 Colombia – 180 Days Per Year (90 Days + 90-Day Extension)
Americans can stay in Colombia for 90 days visa-free, with the option to extend for another 90 days. However, you’re limited to 180 days per year, meaning you’ll need to leave and return the following year to reset your time.
🇨🇱 Chile – 90 Days Visa-Free, Extendable to 180 Days
Chile offers a 90-day visa-free stay, with the option to extend it for another 90 days. If you’re a fan of wine, Patagonia, and stunning landscapes, Chile is a great spot to stay for an extended period.
🇹🇭 Thailand – 60 Days Visa + 30-Day Extension (Total: 90 Days)
If you apply for a Thailand visa outside of Thailand at an embassy, you can get 60 days with the option to extend a further 30 days after.
If you want to stay longer, you can apply for a different visa type or do a border run, but be sure to check Thailand’s current rules, as they have been tightening enforcement and constantly changing their policies. (Speaking from experience)
READ MORE: Work & Live in Thailand: How To Do It? Cost of Living? And More!
🇮🇩 Indonesia (Bali) – Up to 180 Days with Visa Extensions
Indonesia’s visa-free entry is 30 days, but if you want to stay longer, you can apply for the Visa on Arrival (60 days total with an extension) or the B211A visa, which allows up to 180 days (two extensions).
Many travelers opt for a visa agent to handle extensions for a hassle-free stay.
🇨🇷 Costa Rica – 90 Days Visa-Free (With Some Border Run Potential)
Americans can stay in Costa Rica for 90 days visa-free, but the country has been cracking down on border runs.
Some travelers have been able to reset their stay by leaving for a few days and re-entering, but this is becoming less reliable.
READ MORE: Costa Rica Digital Nomad Guide
🇪🇨 Ecuador – 90 Days Visa-Free + 90-Day Extension (Total: 180 Days)
Ecuador offers a 90-day visa-free stay, with the option to extend for another 90 days. If you fall in love with the country, Ecuador has an easy pathway to residency through its long-term visa options.
🇧🇷 Brazil – 90 Days Visa-Free + 90-Day Extension (Total: 180 Days)
Brazil allows Americans to stay for 90 days visa-free, with an option to extend for another 90 days. Whether you’re exploring the Amazon or chilling on the beaches of Rio, Brazil gives you plenty of time to soak it all in.
How to Stay Abroad Even Longer (Without Breaking the Rules)
If you’re looking to stay abroad longer than these tourist visas allow, here are a few legit ways to extend your stay:
- Residency Visas – Some countries, like Mexico and Portugal, have residency programs that allow long-term stays.
- Student Visas – Learning a language, taking university classes, or even doing Muay Thai in Thailand can help you stay longer.
- Digital Nomad Visas – More than 50 countries now offer visas specifically for remote workers.
- Second Passports – If you have ancestry from certain European countries, you might qualify for citizenship by descent.
These long-stay tourist visas make it easier than ever for Americans to slow travel, experience new cultures, and even test out life abroad before making a big move.
RELATED: How Traveling The World is Cheaper Than Existing in the US
Border Runs: What You Need to Know
Border runs (leaving a country to re-enter and reset your visa) used to be common, but immigration officers are cracking down in many places. Here’s what to know:
- Some countries still allow border runs (e.g., Uruguay for Argentina, Nicaragua for Costa Rica).
- Others are watching closely for frequent re-entries (e.g., Mexico, Thailand).
- If you attempt one, have proof of onward travel and financial stability to avoid issues.
- Some long-term travelers rotate between countries (e.g., 6 months in Mexico, then 3 months in Costa Rica…).
Final Thoughts – What’s Your Best Option?
If you want to stay abroad long-term without a complicated visa process, these countries offer some of the best options.
Of course, this list is not exhaustive at all, but these are the “easiest” and most popular ones!
Read more about visas:
- 21 Visas to Help Americans Move Abroad (That You Haven’t Heard of)
- 28 TOP Digital Nomad Visas for Remote Workers
- Longest Tourist Visas for U.S Citizens, How to Extend, & More
- 6 Working Holiday Visas for Americans
- Skilled Work Visas: How to Move Abroad with Your Profession
- ALL Resources on visas
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