Are you planning an international trip or going out for a business trip? Whatever the reason, Visa is a binding document, especially if you are traveling out of the country. But each country has its own set of rules and processes for distributing visas that will help people live and work in that specific country legally. The different types of Visa details mentioned in this article give you a better idea about how and what type of Visa you should apply for that suits your needs. So let us go through this article for more information!

What is a Visa?

An official document allowing the bearer to enter a foreign country legally is called a Visa, and it is glued or stamped into the bearer’s passport. The host country provides different rights to the bearer with several different types of Visas available.

Different Types Of Visas Around The World:

As mentioned above, every country has different procedures for the processing of Visas. But the different types of visas available around the world help foreigners work, travel, get medical treatment, etc., in the host country legally. Read on!

1. Work Visa:

Work Visas are necessary for individuals who wish to take on employment or engage in business activities in the host countries. Depending on the nature of the work and length of stay, there are several work visas. For example, for people looking for temporary employment while traveling through the country, a working holiday type of work visa suits them the best.

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2. Student Visa:

The endorsement added to a government passport, which permits international students to study in qualified educational institutions in a country, is called a Student Visa and is a kind of nonimmigrant visa. Therefore, it is essential to obtain a student Visa from that country if you wish to pursue higher education in another country.

3. Working Holiday Visa:

A working holiday visa is for travelers who want to supplement their travel funds in the issuing country. It provides a temporary permit for the bearer to take up employment or sometimes even study. Holding a working holiday visa enables many young people to find work sponsorship in advance, and therefore can experience living in a foreign country without financial difficulties.

4. Transit Visa:

When people want to pass through a country that is not their destination country, travelers take a transit visa. If your plane has a layover in a country for more than a few hours, Transit visas are typically a must. However, depending on the circumstances of a particular transit itinerary or the size of the country, the transit visas are limited to several hours to ten days. Airside transit visas and Crew member, steward, or driver visas are the two prominent types of Transit Visas.

5. Immigrant Vs. Nonimmigrant Visas:

Immigrant and nonimmigrant visas are the two main categories of Travel visas.

The bearer can permanently reside in the host country if they have Immigrant Visas, whereas the bearer’s temporary entry into the host country is allowed with nonimmigrant visas. Temporary work, study, and medical treatment are examples of what people with nonimmigrant visas can do while staying in the host country.

6. Travel/Tourist Visa:

As the name suggests, a tourist/travel visa allows people to stay for a predetermined amount of time for touristic and leisure purposes. However, the host country doesn’t allow people with travel/tourist visas to work or engage in business activities.

The visas that enable people to have recreational activities such as visiting relatives, friends, tourism, etc., come under the B-2 Visa. The B-1/B-2 visas are usually issued combinedly.

7. Business Visa:

For people who want to enter the host country and engage in business activities without joining the labor market of the said country, A business Visa is essential. For example, people attending a business conference or traveling to another country to do business may require a business visa. This visa bearer needs to ensure that they aren’t receiving any income from the host country.

8. Refugee/Asylum Visa:

For individuals fleeing persecution, war, natural disasters, and other situations where their life is at risk, the host country grants Refugee visas and asylum visas. Asylum allows individuals to remain in the host country instead of being removed or deported to their home country by acting as a form of protection. For example, people in constant fear of persecution in their home countries can apply for asylum under U.S. law.

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9. Spousal Visa:

When a couple does not hail from the same country and wants to visit each other, the couple can apply for a spousal visa. There are different sets of rules followed in different countries for the allotment of a Spousal Visa.

10. e Visa:

Unlike the Standard Visa, stamped or glued into the bearer’s passport, an Electronic Visa or eVisa is a digital Visa stored in a database. Although the applicant receives a paper document to present while traveling, applications for e Visas are typically made over the Internet. eVisa is linked to the passport number of the individual. The three subcategories of eVisas are:

  • e-Tourist Visa.
  • e-Business Visa.
  • e-Medical Visa.

11. Visa on Arrival:

A Visa issued to travelers once they arrive at the destination country’s port of entry is called Visa on arrival. These documents allow foreigners to enter and stay legally in the destination country for a certain time.

12. Project Visa:

Skilled and highly skilled foreign national workers employed in the steel and power sector are issued the Project Visa. People can stay for the initiation, training, execution, or completion of a sanctioned project after being issued with a project Visa. The project in question determines the validity of this Visa.

13. Research Visa:

People who desire to go to India to undertake research work are granted a Research Visa. The procedure remains the same if your research work is sponsored by yourself, a university, or another institute.

14. Medical Visa:

Medical Visa is a travel document that allows you to receive medical treatment in the host country, giving you access. For example, if you wish to receive medical treatment in India, you can apply for a medical Visa which lasts for about 60 days, and during that period, you have a chance to visit the country three times. However, this Visa is not valid for visiting protected, restricted areas; it is non-extendable and non-convertible.

15. Conference Visa:

A visa granted to a foreigner who wants to visit the host country for a seminar or conference is called a Conference Visa. For example, you need to either get a B-1 or B-2 US Visa for conference-goers to enter the premises. People can stay in the U.S. for up to six months once issued with a Business Visa.

Whether you plan to go on a trip, especially if you wish to travel out of the country, a Visa is almost a must. But many of us are confused about what type of Visa suits our travel needs. This article has given you an insight into the different kinds of visas available globally. That will help you tread through the process more easily. It is always beneficial to do proper research before making a final decision. Don’t forget to let us know if you found this article helpful!

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FAQ’s:

1. Why is it necessary to have a visa to travel outside the home country?

Ans: There are visa policies and agreements present in many countries, and because of these policies, citizens can travel freely without a visa. However, if you would like to travel to a country that doesn’t have a visa policy in place with your home country, then visas become compulsory.

2. What is the meaning of the Visa policy of a country?

Ans: The rule that states who may or may not enter the country is called a country’s visa policy. The passport holders of one country can enter visa-free, but passport holders of other countries need a visa as per this policy. Though most visas are bilateral, some country’s visa policies are not.

3. What is the reason some countries have Visa restrictions?

Ans: Prevention of illegal immigration, criminal activities, and control of the flow of visitors in and out of the country are the prominent reasons some countries have Visa restrictions in order. The authorities will be able to vet potential visitors by forcing travelers to apply for visas.

4. What is a short-stay Visa?

Ans: A short stay Visa is also called a Schengen Visa or type C visa. By having this Visa, you can stay a maximum of 90 days within 180 days in the Schengen area. Valid only for a specific period, and it may also be lesser than 90 days. While your visa is valid, you can travel freely between the 26 Schengen countries.

5. What are a single entry visa and a double-entry visa?

Ans: Single entry Visa: This type of Visa allows the Visa holder to enter the country only once.

Double-entry Visa: This type of Visa gives you a chance to go back to the Schengen territory once you have left it more than once. Depending on the country of issue, the exact terms of multiple-entry visas vary.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on pure research and not professional advice. The website is not responsible for the authenticity and accuracy of this information.

Yashasvi

About Yashasvi

Yashasvi developed a deep passion for writing ever since she was completed her Master’s in Mass Communication and Journalism from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam and has chosen a career that is driven by creativity. A Parenting expert who believes in communicating effectively with a personal touch, she writes about pregnancy, baby care, lifestyle, and just about anything else.
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