What Is A Visa ?

MS SAMEER (CMA*CA*CMDM*ast FUND MANAGER*LEGAL ADVISOR)   (14938 Points)

07 July 2010  

A Visa is simply a document issued by the hosting country to a person that authorises him/her to enter or leave the country. However, Visa is not mandatory by every country and there are exceptional situations which does not need Visa Authorisation. The country issuing the Visa typically attaches various conditions to the Visa, such as the period that the person may stay in the country, whether the visa is valid for more than one visit, etc.


A Visa in general does not give a non-citizen any rights, including a right to enter a country or to remain there. The possession of a Visa is not in itself a guarantee of entry into the country that issued it, and a visa can be revoked at any time. The visa process merely enables the host country to verify the identity of the visa applicant before the entry of the applicant. Special permits may also be required, such as a residency permit or work permit. A visitor may also be asked to undergo and pass security and/or health checks upon arrival. Visas can also be single-entry which means the visa is canceled as soon as the holder leaves the country; double-entry, or multiple-entry which permits double or multiple entries into the country with the same visa. Countries may also issue re-entry permits that allow temporarily leaving the country without invalidating the visa. Even a bussiness visawill normally not allow the holder to work in the host country without an additional work permit.