Skip to main content

Yemen Visa for United States Citizens 2026

Visa Required

US citizens need a sponsored entry visa for Yemen, arranged in advance through the Yemeni Embassy or a local sponsor - no visa on arrival since 2015; the US State Department maintains a Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory.

Guide last updated October 3, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid at least 6 months beyond intended stay, with 2 blank visa pages
  • Completed Yemeni visa application form
  • 2 recent passport photos, white background, 2x2 inches
  • Letter of invitation or sponsorship from a Yemeni individual, company, or NGO (required for almost all tourist and business entries given current conditions)
  • Proof of onward/return travel
  • Bank statement or proof of sufficient funds
  • Travel health insurance strongly recommended (not legally required from the US, no yellow fever certificate needed either)
  • Security/background clearance is informally assessed by the embassy given the ongoing conflict

Visa types

  • Tourist visa: single entry, typically 30 days, requires local sponsor letter
  • Business visa: single or multiple entry up to 90 days, requires invitation letter from a registered Yemeni company
  • Entry/residence visa: for aid workers, journalists, and long-term residents, requires sponsorship from employer or accredited organization

How to apply

  • Apply through the Embassy of Yemen in Washington, DC, or a Yemeni consulate abroad; there is no functioning US embassy visa service in Sanaa
  • Submit passport, application form, photos, invitation/sponsorship letter, and fee in person or by mail
  • Some applicants arrange the sponsorship letter first through a trusted contact inside Yemen before applying
  • An interview or additional documentation may be requested depending on the applicant's purpose of travel
  • There is no visa-on-arrival option - on-arrival tourist visas were suspended after the 2015 conflict escalation

Fees & processing time

  • Single-entry tourist/business visa: approximately $30-50 USD at embassy rates
  • Sponsor-based entry visas with facilitation fees: $100-200+ USD depending on sponsor and visa class
  • No official expedited service; processing typically takes 15-20 business days once a complete application with sponsorship letter is submitted
  • Additional costs apply for courier/mail return of the passport if not applying in person

Tips for United States travelers

  • The US State Department advisory for Yemen is Level 4: Do Not Travel, due to armed conflict, terrorism, landmines, and kidnapping risk
  • The US Embassy in Sanaa has suspended operations since 2015, so there is no on-the-ground consular assistance if problems arise
  • Apply at least 6-8 weeks in advance to allow time for sponsorship arrangements and security review
  • Common rejection reasons: missing or unverifiable sponsorship letter, incomplete documentation, unclear purpose of travel
  • Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is essential given the lack of consular support

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

More visa guides for United States passport holders

United KingdomFranceGermanyJapanAustraliaCanadaView all →

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.