Visa is a short form for visavisa, is a small sheet of blank paper on which you record the particulars of your visit to a foreign country. In modern times it has become an entirely plastic card which you can swipe over paVisa is a documentation to enter another country through proper channels. Visa is more than just an instruction, it is a commitment of the host country to give sufficient protection and comfort to a foreign national that decides to enter its territory. Talking about visas, there are different types of visas as per your requirement.

Full Form Of Visa In Travel Industry

Visa is a type of pay commission issued for a particular period of time in exchange of visa application fee. These visas are issued by the government. There are different types of visas issued by the government and they are-A visa is a legal permission by a country to enter and to remain in the country for a certain period of time. Visa is generally issued by the country that wants to allow you to travel there. For India, Immigration rules and regulations are governed by Foreigners Act, 1946, Passport Act, 1967, Citizenship Act, 1955, Foreigners Order 1948 and Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1963.

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What is the Difference Between a Passport and a Visa?

APRIL 28, 2022 JAMIE GILPIN

Traveling soon and need to know the difference between a passport and a visa? Before traveling, be sure you know the differences between a passport and a visa because you may need both.

What is a Passport?

The main difference between a passport and a visa is that a passport is issued to a country’s citizens for international travel and identification.

A passport is used to verify one’s country of citizenship. If traveling outside your country, it is used to regain entry into your country of citizenship.
Passports include your photo, name, birth date, gender and physical characteristics.
For U.S. citizens, some countries only require a passport for re-entry. Other countries may require a visa before entry. You should confirm if a country-specific visa* is required before traveling.
Diplomats and government officials are granted different passports than what’s given to regular travelers.

What is a Visa?

The main difference between a visa and a passport is that a visa is an endorsement placed within a passport that grants the holder official permission to enter, leave or stay in a country for a specified time period.

The most common visa types are tourist, student, work and transit visas.
Depending on where you are traveling, a visa can be valid for single or multiple visits.
Some visas require an application to be filed prior to entering the country and other visas are granted upon entering the country.
Certain countries require an interview or medical screening prior to applying for a visa.

*For more information about country specific visas, click here.

Content in this publication is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult an attorney at one of the two U.S. Law Firms working with the Envoy Platform or another qualified professional. On non-U.S. immigration issues, consult an Envoy global immigration service provider or another qualified representative.

What Types of Passports Are There?

Different types of passports are issued depending on your needs and situation:

A regular passport. This is a typical national passport issued to most citizens of a country.
A service passport. This type of passport is issued to government officials and their dependents travelling for work-related purposes.
A diplomatic passport. A diplomatic passport is issued to diplomats and their dependents for international travel and residence, usually to serve a state mission. However, having this type of passport does not automatically mean diplomatic immunity; privileges for diplomats are discussed with the host country.
Emergency passports. An emergency passport is issued in cases where someone has lost their passport, or it was stolen, and they need a passport fast for international travel. This type of passport is usually temporary until a regular passport is ready.
Collective passports. These travel passports are issued for group travels, i.e., students travelling for a school trip.
Family passports. Family passports are issued for one family and used as a joint travel document. So, for example, there is one passport holder, and the other family members are included in the document. This was usually the case with parents and their young children, but nowadays, not many countries issue passports and require separate travel documents for each family member.

Different Visa Types

There are several types of visas you can apply for depending on your reason for travel:

Tourist visa. A tourist visa is usually issued for 30 days to 90 days to visit a specific country as a tourist destination. Some countries issue tourist visas for up to 10 years but with periodical entries.
Transit visa. A transit visa is issued only to allow travellers to transit through a country while they wait for their connecting flights- it’s usually valid only for 24 hours, but it can be issued for ten days to two weeks.
Business visa. This visa is issued to conduct business in a foreign country- its validity depends on the country and the type of business; it can last for several months.
Medical visa. Medical visas are granted when visitors need to travel to another country to seek medical help- the validity of the visa depends on the patient’s situation.
Student visa. Student visas are given to students who want to complete a degree in a foreign country- student visas are valid for the duration of the study program.
Work visa. A work visa is issued to individuals employed in another country; the visa is typically valid for the duration of the work contract but can be extended.
Working holiday visa. Working holiday visas are generally valid for a year or two, allowing individuals to travel to a country as tourists and work in specific industries.
Pilgrimage visa. Pilgrimage visas are issued for religious travels such as the Hajj pilgrimage.
Retirement visa. This type of visa is granted to people of retirement age and can afford to support themselves in another country to spend their golden years.
Immigrant visa. Immigrant visas allow another person to gain a permanent residency in another country.

The Most Powerful and Weak Passports in the World

As of 2020, the strongest passport is the Japanese passport with visa-free entry to most countries. On the other hand, the weakest passport is issued by Afghanistan, with only 26 visa-free countries.

The Easiest and Hardest Countries to Get a Visa To

Some of the easiest countries to get a visa include the following:

Lithuania- with a rejection rate of 1.3%
Estonia- with a rejection rate of 1.6%
Finland- with a rejection rate of 1.7%
Iceland- with a rejection rate of 1.7%
Latvia- with a rejection rate of 2.1%

The hardest countries to get a visa for are:

North Korea
Somalia
Afghanistan
Saudi Arabia
Bhutan

Here you can find the full list of the hardest countries to get a visa to.

How Do I Get a Visa If I Need One?

You have to apply for one at an embassy or consulate representative of the country you want to visit to get a visa. Generally speaking, to get a visa, you need to have a valid passport of at least three months after your departure date- so make sure you first have a passport and then apply for a visa.

What Happens After I Get a Visa?

If you get a visa, the embassy or consulate will stamp your passport, but lately, certain countries are issuing visas as separate documents. So mainly, if you apply for an electronic visa, you don’t get your passport stamped; you have to print out the visa and take it with you.

Full Form Of Visa In Travel Industry