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United States to Yemen visa requirements

US passport holders need a visa obtained in advance from a Yemeni embassy or consulate before traveling to Yemen. There is no visa-on-arrival or eVisa for US tourists, and Yemen is under a US State Department Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory. A United States ordinary passport holder cannot enter Yemen without a visa arranged in advance. Yemen does not offer visa-on-arrival or an eVisa channel to US citizens for tourism; applications must be lodged with a Yemeni embassy or consulate, which requires an invitation/sponsor in practice. Beyond the visa itself, travel is strongly discouraged: the US Department of State renewed its Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Yemen on December 19, 2025, citing terrorism (including the re-designated Houthis/Ansarallah and AQAP), ongoing civil war, kidnapping and carjacking of foreigners, and unexploded ordnance. The US Embassy in Sana'a suspended operations in February 2015, so the US government cannot provide emergency or routine consular services inside Yemen. Practical tourism is effectively not viable, and any traveler who proceeds does so against official guidance. The verdict for entry purposes is firmly visa-required.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Tourist/visit visa (issued by Yemeni embassy/consulate; no VOA or eVisa for US citizens)
Maximum stay
Typically up to 30 days (at consular discretion)
per entry
Entries
Single entry (multiple at consular discretion)
from issue date
Visa fee
Approximately USD 50-100 (varies by consulate; may differ for invitation/sponsor cases)
consular fee only
Processing time
Several weeks to months; varies widely and not guaranteed
standard track
Validity
Commonly 30-90 days from issue to enter
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Reconsider the trip against the Level 4 advisory
Review the US State Department Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory for Yemen. The US Embassy in Sana'a is closed and cannot help you inside Yemen. Confirm you have a compelling, unavoidable reason before proceeding.
· Required reading· No consular support in-country
/02
Contact a Yemeni embassy or consulate
Reach out to the nearest Embassy of the Republic of Yemen (in the US, in Washington, D.C., or another accredited mission) to confirm whether they are accepting tourist/visit visa applications and what they currently require.
· Apply in advance· Requirements change often
/03
Secure a sponsor or invitation
Yemeni missions generally require a local sponsor or letter of invitation for visit visas. Arrange this before applying, as applications without sponsorship are often refused.
· Sponsor/invitation usually mandatory
/04
Assemble your documents
Prepare a passport valid at least 6 months beyond your stay with blank pages, passport photos, the completed application form, flight itinerary, accommodation proof, proof of funds, and travel/medical insurance.
· 6-month passport validity· Multiple supporting documents
/05
Submit the application and pay the fee
Lodge your application in person or by the method the consulate specifies, pay the visa fee, and allow ample time, as processing can take weeks or longer and is not guaranteed.
· Pay consular fee· Long lead time
/06
Enroll in STEP and finalize logistics
If you still travel, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), arrange private security and medical evacuation insurance, and keep digital and paper copies of all documents.
· Recommended· Evacuation cover advised
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
United States -> Yemen · Tourist/visit visa (issued by Yemeni embassy/consulate; no VOA or eVisa for US citizens)
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredUS passport valid 6+ months beyond intended stay, with blank pages
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredYemeni visa obtained in advance from an embassy/consulate
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredLetter of invitation or local sponsor
Signed or stamped letter with host contact details and visit arrangements
required
RequiredCompleted Yemeni visa application form
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
required
RequiredRecent passport-sized photographs
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredRound-trip flight itinerary
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RecommendedProof of accommodation
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedProof of sufficient funds
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
recommended
RecommendedTravel and medical insurance (with evacuation cover)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedSTEP enrollment with the US State Department
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Official sourcesUS State Department - Yemen Travel AdvisoryUS Mission to Yemen (Visas)US State Department - Yemen Visa Reciprocity & Civil Documents
Application link included: US Mission to Yemen (Visas)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist/visit visa feeUSD 50-100Varies by Yemeni consulate; subject to change
Invitation/sponsorship handlingVariesSponsor or agency may charge additional fees
Courier/return postageUSD 20-40If applying by mail to a consulate
Total estimateUSD 50 — USD 150+incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Embassy/consulate application
Several weeks to months
The only route for US tourists; outcome and timeline are not guaranteed and depend on sponsorship and current consular policy.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
No visa-on-arrival or eVisa for US citizens
Yemen does not offer visa-on-arrival or an online eVisa to US passport holders; a visa must be secured in advance through a Yemeni mission.
High
/02
Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory
The US State Department maintains a Level 4 advisory (renewed Dec 19, 2025) due to terrorism, armed conflict, kidnapping, and crime.
High
/03
No US consular services inside Yemen
The US Embassy in Sana'a has been closed since February 2015, so emergency assistance to US citizens is severely limited.
High
/04
Sponsorship typically required
Yemeni visit visas usually require a local sponsor or invitation, making independent tourism applications difficult.
Medium
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30 · major
United States of America to Yemen route verified
Confirmed visa-required status via US State Department sources; no VOA/eVisa for US citizens, advance embassy visa needed, Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory in effect.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can US citizens get a visa on arrival in Yemen?—
No. Yemen does not offer visa-on-arrival to US passport holders. You must obtain a visa in advance from a Yemeni embassy or consulate before traveling.
Is there an eVisa for Yemen?+
Is it safe to travel to Yemen?+
Can the US Embassy help me in Yemen?+
Do I need a sponsor to get a Yemeni visa?+
How long does it take to get a Yemeni visa?+
/11 — Passport tools

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