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

Latin America and the Caribbean are made up of 33 countries. If you hold a Chinese passport, the region offers the freedom to set off on a whim but also some hurdles, and the best deal is to hold a 10-year US visa. This first part of our three-part guide sets out the 2026 rules for countries 1 to 11, with details for Ecuador and Suriname.

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 offers vivid colour, ancient civilizations and magnificent landscapes.

Countries 1 to 11 at a glance

Under the latest 2026 rules, this is the situation if you 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: apply for an e-visa

Ecuador suspended its visa exemption in July 2024, so you need a visa. You apply and pay online.

What	Details
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 you need

Note that the criminal record certificate and the bank statements both need a Spanish translation and notarization, plus an apostille (for the certificate) or authentication (for the statements).

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: pay the entry fee before you go

Suriname is visa-free for stays of up to 30 days, but you must pay an entry fee.

Entry type	Fee
Single entry	US$50 or €50
Multiple entry for three months (up to 5 entries within 3 months)	US$75 or €75
Children aged 2 and under	Free
Children aged 3 and over	Adult rate

Before you travel:

• Pay the fee online and in advance on the official Suriname entry fee portal, then print the receipt and carry it with you.
• Complete the digital Immigration and Customs Form (ICF) at www.icf.sr 7 days before arrival.

Part 2 covers countries 12 to 22, from Jamaica to Peru. Part 3 covers countries 23 to 33, with tips for travelling in the region.

If you plan to visit several of these countries, or are not sure whether your US visa and documents qualify, a consultant can help you check the requirements before you travel.