Countries With Weird Entry Rules
Here are some of the strangest, most curious entry rules from around the world:
1. North Korea – Bring a Suit, Not a Bible
If you’re approved to visit North Korea (through an official tour only), be prepared to obey these rules:
Dress formally when visiting important statues or monuments. For men, this generally means a suit and tie; for women, modest attire such as long skirts and covered shoulders is required.
Leave Bibles and religious materials at home as they are prohibited. The regime is officially atheist and views religious materials—especially Christian ones—as a threat to state ideology.
You must submit to having your phone, camera and laptop scanned for offensive media if required.
2. Turkmenistan – Strict Visa Approval and the Toilet Tax
Turkmenistan is notoriously difficult to enter. It has one of the lowest visa approval rates in the world, with some estimates suggesting that fewer than 10% of tourist visa applications are approved.
In addition to the tough visa process, all visitors to Turkmenistan are required to pay a mandatory $2 "sanitation fee" at the border upon arrival. While it's officially listed as a hygiene or public health service charge, travelers have cheekily dubbed it the “toilet tax.”
3. Russia – Dig Out Your CV
Russia's visa application process is known for being thorough, detailed, and time-consuming, with an emphasis on security and background screening, especially for U.S. citizens.
Here’s what applicants are typically asked for:
Full employment history for the past 10 years: You must list all jobs you’ve held, including employers' names, addresses, and job titles. Gaps in employment must often be explained.
Personal background details: This includes your education history, your parents’ full names and birthdates, your marital status, and information about your spouse, if applicable.
Travel history: Some forms ask for a record of countries visited in the past 10 years.
Social media handles: U.S. applicants may be asked to list social media usernames (but not passwords) for platforms they’ve used in the last 5 years. This includes Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (X), YouTube, etc.
4. Bhutan – $200+ Per Day… Just to Visit
Bhutan doesn’t have a typical tourist visa system. Instead, it implements a policy called the “Sustainable Development Fee” (SDF), which requires most foreign tourists to pay a daily fee of $200 per person. This fee does not include flights, travel insurance, or premium accommodations, but it does go toward a government-approved package that typically includes:
Lodging in 3-star hotels or higher
All meals
A licensed Bhutanese tour guide
Private transportation with a driver
Entry fees to sites and attractions
The SDF, which funds education, healthcare, and infrastructure in Bhutan
Why the High Fee?
Bhutan’s tourism policy reflects its “High Value, Low Impact” philosophy, designed to preserve the country’s environment, culture, and identity. By limiting mass tourism and requiring a daily fee, Bhutan ensures that visitors contribute meaningfully while enjoying an authentic, sustainable travel experience.
5. Equatorial Guinea – Moral Visitors Only
Equatorial Guinea requires some visa applicants to submit a "Certificate of Good Conduct," often referred to as a "Certificate of Morality." This document serves as proof that the applicant has no criminal record and is typically issued by the police or relevant authority in the applicant's home country. It's a standard requirement, especially for business or long-term visas, and must have been issued within the last six months.
In addition to the certificate of good conduct, applicants are often required to provide notarized documents translated into Spanish, as Spanish is one of the official languages of Equatorial Guinea.