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It can be exceptionally difficult to travel to any given nation depending on a number of factors such as the time of year, the purpose for visiting the country in question, and your own country of nationality, for example. Although these elements of consideration vary greatly from case to case, I can say with reasonable certainty that the five countries listed below are generally the countries most difficult to travel to.
Sudan
At number five it’s Sudan. Not only is the Sudan considered to be rather dangerous for tourists and locals alike due to the high amount of military and armed activity within its borders, but their immigration services do not permit anyone from Israel, or anyone who has been to Israel into the country. If your passport has a visa stamp from Israel, entrance to Sudan through any legal channels is impossible. Also, anyone wishing to enter the country for any reason must have an official letter of introduction from a proper source. Contact the Sudanese consulate or embassy which has jurisdiction over your place of residence to learn more.
United States of America
The United States with all its attractions is arguably the land of the free, yet many do not experience that freedom due to the vast complexity of immigration legislation currently in place in the US, making the country’s placement at number four quite understandable. The visa fees aren’t ridiculously large, but many individuals have had trouble providing all the additional information regarding their additional plans that is required. Due to a high number of illegal immigrants in the US, some of whom enter with a legitimate visa and then stay long past the date their visa expires without applying to extend the stay, US legislation has been adapted so as to make it difficult for individuals who would attempt this to gain entry to the US. Unfortunately, many who wouldn’t attempt such an act are also affected.
Additionally, anyone with a criminal record will be put under extra scrutiny, and US immigration officials will reject any application of an individual who they feel does not qualify for entry.
North Korea
The DPRK, or as it is more commonly known, North Korea, is surprisingly only third on the list of most difficult countries to get a travel visa to. While North Korea does not have diplomatic relationships with a large number of countries, this does not mean that individuals from those countries cannot enter the country at all. It is a simple (in theory, if not in practice) matter of entering a country with which the DPRK does have diplomatic relations which services your country of nationality and acquiring a travel visa through that consulate or embassy. This is exceptionally difficult in practice for many, as traveling to these countries is sometimes impossible.
Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo ranks second on the list due to the fact that an invitation notarized by the DRC government is required for entry, as well as immunization certificates recognized as legitimate by the DRC, and application fees which range upwards of $400 and are subject to change. Additionally, immigration and security personnel have often been reported as collecting “unofficial fees” from travelers at the border or ports of entry, and rejecting those who do not pay.
Iran
Finally, coming in at number one, is Iran. Iran is similar to the DPRK in that it does not have diplomatic relations with a number of countries, but in this case it is far more widespread. Additionally, the application process for a travel visa is arguably the most complicated, long, and frustrating in existence due to the high wait time, as well as the lack of information an applicant receives regarding his or her application. Not only that, but once granted entry, many travelers are detained by the Iranian government and for indefinite periods of time, interrogated, imprisoned, and are often charged with ridiculous crimes as justification for this behavior.
Besides my own country, the USA, there are not many on the list that I’d be disappointed in skipping. How about you?
