Visa... What Exactly Is It?
Visa is an official document or endorsement issued by a country's government that allows a person to enter, stay, or work within that country for a specified period.
It grants permission to the holder to travel to the country and undergo immigration clearance upon arrival.
Visa requirements, types, and processes vary from country to country, with different categories including tourist visas, work visas, study visas, and more.
To obtain a visa, individuals typically need to submit an application, provide supporting documents, pay fees, and fulfill specific criteria set by the country they wish to visit.
It is important to consult the official sources, such as the embassy or consulate, for accurate and up-to-date information regarding visa requirements and procedures.
Visas can also serve a defensive purpose by preventing potential threats from entering a country.
 |
| Visa Worldwide |
So, Can You Describe a Visa?
Illustration of a visa
An individual's authorized length of stay in a country is printed on a visa that is affixed to their passport alongside their name and photograph.
Visas are sometimes granted as standalone documents in addition to being stapled into your passport. Examples of this include electronic visas that you must print out.
Background on Visas for International Travel
The term "visa" comes from the Latin phrase "charta visa," which can be rendered as "paper that must be seen."
When traveling internationally, you'll need a passport and a visa; in the past, these were two different documents, but today, visas are usually just stamps or stickers within your passport.
An outline of the origins of passports and other forms of travel identification follows.
Period Event Description
In 420 B.C., the first travel documents were created.
Nehemiah, a Persian servant serving King Artaxerxes I, is the first person in the Hebrew Bible to request a passport and visa in order to travel to Judea (region in Jerusalem).
1386-1442
It all started with the first passport.
During the time of King Henry the V, who is widely regarded as the inspiration for the modern passport.
1643-1715
That thing you need to get into countries is called a "Passe port."
Even though the origin of the term "passport" is still up for question, it is generally agreed that the practice of issuing personally signed travel documents known as "passe port" began during the reign of Louis XIV, King of France (the Sun King).
Passports made mandatory in 1918.
Following the close of World War One, passports and visas became required for many outbound overseas journeys.
Nansen passport valid from 1922 to 1938
After World War I, many refugees faced the loss of nationality and the Nansen passport was created by the League of Nations in Paris as a solution to this problem.
1945 - Visas
Increased border security was necessary after World War II ended due to the large influx of refugees. Visas and passports were both typically required for out-of-country travel.
A valid passport issued by your native country is now required whenever you go outside of your home country. Visas granted by the country you plan to visit are a crucial part of any migration control strategy.
Purpose-Specific Visa
Common visa categories based on destination and travel intent include:
- Visas for visitors. The objective of a tourist visa is to allow the bearer to enter a country for the purpose of tourism.
- Tourist visas typically have a three-month validity period and do not permit the holder to engage in gainful employment.
- As long as the embassy or consulate grants your visa, you can apply for a tourist visa to the same nation as often as you like.
- Documents required for transit. You can transit through a country on your way to another one with the right transit visa.
- A Schengen transit visa is required, for instance, if you are an Indian citizen traveling to Canada with a layover in a Schengen country.
- This visa is often valid for between 24 and 96 hours, although it can be valid for anywhere from 10 days to two weeks, depending on the country you are transiting through.
- A transit visa cannot be obtained at the airport and must be applied for in advance of travel.
- Visas for medical reasons. If you need medical care that isn't available in your own country, you can apply for a medical visa.
- The period of a medical visa is often limited to the time it takes for the patient to undergo treatment and recover.
- You'll need medical documentation from your treating physician and evidence that you've located a facility and practitioner in your destination country to perform the necessary procedure before applying for this sort of visa.
- Internships for those on a gap year. Working holiday visas are temporary work authorizations that combine elements of tourist and work visas.
- This visa is meant to provide you the freedom to travel to a new nation as it's a vacation while also giving you the opportunity to earn some money.
- Most nations put limits on the variety and quantity of jobs citizens can hold at any given time. With the exception of Australia, most working holiday visas are only valid for a year or two and are only awarded once per applicant.
- Anyone between the ages of 18 and 30 can apply for a work and holiday visa.
- Visas for students. For those who wish to enter a country in order to further their education, a student visa can be obtained that is valid for the length of their course of study.
- Therefore, the length of time that your student visa is valid for might range from one to four years, and sometimes even more, depending on the program that you choose to study.
- If your host country doesn't allow you to work while you're there as a student, you can't.
- Visas for employment. Finding gainful employment in a distant nation necessitates a work visa application.
- Visas for work are typically issued for periods of one to four years, though this can vary based on the terms of the employment agreement.
- In most situations, a work visa can also serve as the basis for a green card application.
- Immigration for family reunion. If your spouse has permanent employment another nation, you may be eligible for a family reunification visa.
- Through this visa, you can legally enter and remain inside the territory of the nation where your spouse is employed.
- Any minor children you or your spouse may have will typically be awarded a family visa as well.
- Temporary visas for financial investments. If you make a sizable financial investment in a foreign country, you may be eligible for an investment visa that grants you permanent residency in that country.
- Regardless of whether the money is put into a new business, bonds, or a government fund, it must have a beneficial economic impact and/or create new jobs. Buying property in some countries can help you qualify for a visa.
- Visas issued by the appropriate authorities. With an official visa in hand, you'll be able to represent your country in a diplomatic capacity abroad.
- Diplomatic visas are the most common type of official travel document, however several governments also offer service and courtesy visas.
- Visas for those seeking asylum. If you are a victim of religious, racial, or political persecution in your home country, you may qualify for a refugee or asylum seeker visa.
- The process of obtaining a visa to enter a country as a refugee varies from country to country.
- Authorization to work remotely, or digital nomad visas. Visas for digital nomads are only available to those who truly fit the profile of a digital nomad.
- Depending on the country, this term may refer to an employee or independent contractor who works from home.
- This visa requires you to apply for immigration to a country that has a specific program for digital nomads.
- It's time to retire? apply for a visa. Those from outside the country who wish to retire abroad may apply for a retirement visa.
- It takes the form of a permanent resident card and is provided only to persons who have achieved retirement age.
- In most cases, law enforcement will want to see documentation that you have a steady source of income.
- Visas for those intending to go on pilgrimage. People seeking to travel abroad on a religious pilgrimage are eligible for special pilgrimage visas.
- The Hajj visa that Saudi Arabia issues to Muslims who wish to do the Hajj in Mecca is an example of a pilgrimage visa.
- These visas are awarded to entire groups, not individuals, and are only good for the duration of the journey.
To travel without a visa
A visa is not necessary for all international trips. There are a number of nations that have "visa waiver agreements," allowing visitors from certain nations to enter and stay for short periods of time without obtaining a visa.
Western passport holders (those issued by the United States, Australia, Canada, or the European Union) do not typically need a visa to visit most countries.
There is a wide variation in the length of time visitors can stay in a country without a visa, from a few days to a few months. Before departing on a trip, citizens of any country should research the visa requirements of their destination.
Remember:
You cannot engage in any commercial activity, such as working or selling while visiting a country, unless you have a valid visa.
Instructions for Obtaining a Visa to Travel
The most prevalent methods of visa application are as follows:
- Wherever the foreign country's embassy or consulate is located.
- Online (electronic visa).
- Near the front door (visa on arrival).
It is country and citizenship specific as to how you go about applying. Do not leave home without first verifying that you do not need a visa.
Submitting an Application for a Visa to an Embassy
The consulate or embassy of the nation you wish to visit is the usual place to apply for a visa. Specifically, you must:
- Plan a meeting with the embassy.
- Gather the necessary documents.
- Put money down for a visa.
- Attend the visa interview (sometimes).
The consular staff will evaluate your request and make a final decision on your visa status.
It could take anywhere from a few days to a few months for your visa application to be processed.
Remember:
When a high volume of visa applications is expected, embassies and consulates may hire private travel agents to process the paperwork.
The agency will gather your paperwork, then forward it to the embassy or consulate, which will make the final determination.
Visa Request Form for Applying Online
Submit your visa application online. Visas obtained electronically are typically issued as printable documents rather than stickers to be affixed to a traveler's passport.
If a certain nation allows electronic visa applications, you'll be able to do the following on its designated visa application website:
- Fill out a visa application online.
- Include scanned copies of your paperwork.
- For a price, you can get a visa.
Since you will likely be required to provide personal information and possibly even pay a charge as part of the application process, it is important that you apply via the correct website.
The time it takes to hear back about your visa application can range from a few minutes to several days.
In-Quick Visa Processing
A visa application can be made at the airport or other port of entry into the nation you will be visiting.
That's what travelers call a "visa on arrival" (VOA). At these checkpoints, visa applicants must pay a charge, submit their paperwork, and then wait for an approval before proceeding through the border.
It could be anything from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the country.
Remember:
In some nations, you need a visa to enter the country.
Although some governments do issue VOAs, these are often restricted to only a select few nationalities.
In most cases, visas upon arrival are only available at certain airports or ports of entry.
Reasons Why Your Visa Was Rejected
Some of the most prevalent causes of a visa denial are as follows:
Validity of the passport. In order to enter most countries, you will need a passport that is valid for at least three or six months after your intended date of departure.
However, depending on your final location, this time period may start either upon arrival or departure.
A blank page for use in a passport. The minimum amount of blank passport pages varies per country, but is often between two and four.
Passports and visas need to be stamped, hence blank pages are required.
Expectations for immunizations. You must have receive Vaccine for Covid-19. Many African nations need proof of international immunization standards before issuing a visa.
Felony convictions. It is extremely difficult to obtain a visa if you have a criminal history; in fact, just a few of countries (including the United States and Canada) would waive your criminal history.
Prohibition on leaving the country. Every country has the ability to label an individual as "persona non grata."
Therefore, both diplomats and regular citizens will be denied entry to that country.
Lack of proper health insurance. Having travel health insurance is often a requirement for entering certain countries.
Duration of Visa and Validity Dates
The following are the permitted visa validity periods and lengths of stay:
Short-stay
The duration of a short-stay visa often ranges from a few days to many months. Tourist and business visas, as well as visas for temporary stays such as medical care or family visits, are the most common types of visitor visas.
Long-stay
When granted, a long-stay visa can cover an extended period of time, sometimes years. Long-stay visas are another name for residence permits.
Single-entry
A single-entry visa allows you to enter a country or territory only once. No matter how many days you still have left on your ticket, they will be wasted if you depart.
Multiple-entry
As long as the visa is still valid, you can reenter the nation or area many times.
To What Extent Do Passports and Visas Differ?
While both a passport and a visa allow you to travel to and through other countries, the passport is issued by your home nation and the visa is issued by the country you plan to visit.
Differentiating features include:
- A visa is an attachment to your passport that verifies your eligibility to enter a certain nation for the purpose of travel.
- The validity of a passport is typically 10 years, while visas are typically only valid for a few months.
What are the Variations Between a Visa and a Permit to Stay?
A visa and a residence permit mean essentially the same thing, and are therefore often used interchangeably.
One key distinction between the two is:
- When planning a short-term trip abroad for purposes like tourism, business, job, school, etc., a visa is required.
- If you plan on staying in a foreign nation for an extended amount of time, you will need to obtain a residence permit.
- In some cases, you'll need to enter the country with a visa and subsequently change it to a resident permit.
- Sometimes, when you apply for a long-stay visa, you are also issued a residence permit (work, study, family reunion, etc.)
Why Do We Need ESTAs and What Do They Do?
Nationals who do not require a visa to enter a country must instead obtain an electronic travel authorization before they can enter that country. They are cheap, simple to get online, and good for years.
Here are a few instances where a traveler would be granted permission to electronically book a flight:
ETA (Canada). The Canadian electronic travel authorization costs CAD 7 and is processed in under an hour. It's good for up to 5 years, and each visit can last up to 6 months.
ETA (Australia). The Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is 20 Australian Dollars (AUD) and is authorized in minutes. It is valid for 12 months and permits multiple entries into Australia throughout that time.
ESTA (United States). The ESTA from the United States costs $14 USD and is processed in within five minutes. There is no limit on the number of times you can enter the country or how long you can stay there within that time, and it is valid for up to two years.
ETIAS (European Union). The ETIAS will be required across the EU as of November 2023. It will set you back €7 and be good for three years. Within the validity period of up to three months, it will permit several international travels.
While they serve a similar purpose, electronic travel authorizations are not visas at all. Therefore, it is quite improbable that a submitted application will be denied.
Conjoint Visa Programs
Some member nations of a regional group issue a single visa valid for all member nations of that group. It's general knowledge that the following visas are among the most popular in circulation:
- It's called a Schengen visa. The Schengen visa is a common travel document valid for entry into any of the 26 European countries that make up the Schengen Area.
- One Visa for Central America. The countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua have all come together to form this visa arrangement.
- There is no need for visas for citizens of these countries to visit other member nations. Additionally, visitors only need one visa to go to any of the member nations.
- The Council of the Gulf States (GCC). The United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait are among the member nations of this pact between numerous Middle Eastern nations.
- Citizens of these countries do not need a visa to travel within their borders, but visa-free travel to other countries is not always possible due to political tension.
- The Pacific Rim Cooperation. Citizens of the Pacific Alliance countries (Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru) do not need a visa to visit any of the others in the group. Tourists only need to apply for one visa to visit all member countries.
- A Univisa from KAZA. According to the KAZA Univisa agreement, you can stay in both Zambia and Zimbabwe for up to 30 days.
- We're talking about the CARICOM Visa. There are fifteen Caribbean countries that have signed the CARICOM Agreement, allowing citizens to travel freely without a visa. In addition, the agreement provides citizens of CARICOM member states with a single passport valid for both local and foreign travel.
- (ECOWAS) An Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development in West African States. The citizens of the fifteen West African states that are part of this agreement are free to travel between them.
- The Mercosur Treaty. Mercosur is a free-travel zone that includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay as full members and several more nations as associates.
- However, visa requirements for foreign travelers are governed by each individual country.
- British and Irish Visa Program (BIVS Visa). Foreign nationals can now travel between the United Kingdom and Ireland using just one visa thanks to the British Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS).
- In other words, if you have a visa that allows you to visit the United Kingdom, you can also enter Ireland.
One visa given by another country will allow you to visit many countries without the need for further visas, in addition to cooperative visa programs.
To provide just a few examples, if you have a valid US visa, you can also visit Costa Rica, Mexico, the British Virgin Islands, and many others.
The meaning of a "Exit Visa"
Allowing you to depart a certain nation, an exit visa is a type of travel document.
These days, most countries no longer require exit visas because they are seen as an antiquated and even human rights-violating practice.
Those countries that necessitate a visa to leave are as follows:
- Belarus
- Iraq
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or North Korea
- Oman
- Russia
- King Salman of Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- China's People's Democratic Republic
- Arab Emirates, U.A.E.
You should confirm the exit visa requirements with the local embassy or consulate before leaving the country.
Read Also: How to apply for Italy Visa
Covid 19 Tips
- Under the Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF), all countries/regions will be classified under the General Travel or Restricted Category and accord border measures by individual traveller’s vaccination status. Currently, all countries/regions come under the General Travel Category. There are no countries/regions in the Restricted Category at the moment.
- Advisory for International students studying overseas can be found on the MOE website and the Travel Advisory on the MOH website. Common concerns pertaining to the advisory have been addressed here. FAQs on the MOH website (under Border Measures) also provide information for students on overseas studies.
- Updates on International border control measures in response to COVID-19 can be found on the ICA website. Information on the SG Arrival Card with Electronic Health Declaration can be found here.
Related Search: How to Book a Flight Itinerary for Visa Application
.png)
0 Comments