Visa liberalization has emerged as a critical policy tool for enhancing global tourism competitiveness. Simplifying entry requirements—through e-visas, visa-on-arrival (VoA), visa-free travel, and multi-country travel corridors—directly influences tourist arrivals, spend patterns, and destination image. This research investigates the impact of visa liberalization on tourism growth using a combination of panel data analysis (20 countries, 2010–2023), tourist surveys (N = 2,100), and policy review. Findings show that visa liberalization increases tourist arrivals by 12–35%, with strongest gains in developing countries. However, challenges include security risks, overstays, regional political tensions, and administrative capacity gaps. The paper concludes with strategic recommendations for designing effective visa regimes that strengthen tourism while maintaining national security.