Latin America on a US Visa: 33-Country Visa Guide, 2026 (Part 1)

Latin America and the Caribbean are made up of 33 countries. For Chinese passport holders, the region offers the romance of setting off on a whim, but also some hurdles. The best deal, of course, is to have a 10-year US visa.

Latin America, the land García Márquez painted in the colours of magical realism, is the last piece of the puzzle for many travellers. It lies on the other side of the world, yet it has the most vibrant colours, the oldest civilizations and the most magnificent landscapes.

Visa summary: countries 1 to 11

Under the latest 2026 rules, this is the situation for travellers who hold a US visa:

No.	Country	Entry rules	Length of stay
1	Argentina	Visa-free for tourism or business with a valid US visa (B1/B2; F and M student visas do not qualify) or US permanent residence (green card)	Up to 30 days
2	Barbados	Mutual visa exemption	30 days
3	The Bahamas	Mutual visa exemption	30 days
4	Grenada	Mutual visa exemption	30 days
5	Dominica	Mutual visa exemption (note: not the same country as the Dominican Republic)	21 days
6	Antigua and Barbuda	Mutual visa exemption	30 days
7	Ecuador	Visa exemption suspended since July 2024; a visa is required	—
8	Suriname	Visa-free; an entry fee is payable	30 days
9	Cuba	Visa-free for ordinary passports since May 2024	90 days
10	Brazil	Visa-free for ordinary passports (still under negotiation as of February 24, 2026 and not yet in force; watch for updates)	30 days
11	Saint Kitts and Nevis	Visa-free	90 days

Ecuador: e-visa

Ecuador suspended its visa exemption in July 2024, so a visa is required.

• Where to apply: the e-visa system of Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility
• Processing time: 5 to 15 working days
• Fees (2026): application fee US$50, issuance fee US$30
• Payment: online by international credit card

Documents

Document	Requirements	Notes
Passport	Valid for at least 6 months, with at least 2 blank pages	Clear scans of the personal information page, signature page and US visa page
Photo	5 × 5 cm, white background, no headwear; JPG or PNG, no more than 2 MB	Taken within the last 6 months, face unobstructed
Identity document	Scans of the front and back of your national ID card	Must match your passport details
Criminal record certificate	Covering the last 5 years; Spanish translation, notarized and apostilled	Must cover every place you have lived
Proof of funds	Bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months, averaging at least US$460 a month; Spanish translation, notarized and authenticated	Statements should be steady, with a sufficient balance
Travel documents	Return flight booking, hotel booking and detailed itinerary	All in English and consistent with the length of stay
Application form	Completed and generated online	Accurate, with no corrections

Suriname: entry fee

Suriname is visa-free for stays of up to 30 days, but an entry fee is payable:

• Single entry: US$50 or €50
• Multiple entry for three months: US$75 or €75 (up to 5 entries within 3 months)
• Children: free for ages 2 and under; ages 3 and over pay the adult rate
• How to pay: online and in advance; print the receipt and carry it with you
• Official payment site: Suriname entry fee portal
• Complete the digital Immigration and Customs Form (ICF) 7 days before arrival at www.icf.sr

(To be continued.)