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What are the Different Types of Visa? |
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Visa Tips and Information
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These are the most common types of visa with some quick explanations:
* Transit visa, usually valid for 5 days or less, for passing through the country to a third destination.
* Tourist visa, for a limited period of leisure travel, no business
activities allowed. Some countries do not issue tourist visas. Saudi
Arabia introduced tourist visas only in 2004 although it did (and still
does) issue pilgrimage visas for Hajj pilgrims.
* Business visa, for engaging in commerce in the country. These
visas generally preclude permanent employment, for which a work visa
would be required.
* Temporary worker visa, for approved employment in the host
country. These are generally more difficult to obtain but valid for
longer periods of time than a business visa. Examples of these are the
United States' H-1B and L-1 visas.
* On-arrival visa (VOA), granted immediately prior to entering the
country, such as at an airport or border control post. This is distinct
from not requiring a visa at all, as the visitor must still obtain the
visa before they can even try to pass through immigration.
* Spousal visa, granted to the spouse of a resident or citizen of a
given country, in order to enable the couple to settle in that country.
Examples include the United Kingdom's EEA family permit.
* Student visa, which allows its holder to study at an institution
of higher learning in the issuing country. Students studying in
Algeria, however, are issued tourist visas.
* Working holiday visa, for individuals travelling between nations
offering a working holiday programme, allowing young people to
undertake temporary work while travelling.
* Diplomatic visa (sometimes official visa), is normally only available to bearers of diplomatic passports.
* Courtesy visa issued to representatives of foreign governments or
international organizations who do not qualify for diplomatic status
but do merit expedited, courteous treatment.
* Journalist visa, which some countries require of people in that
occupation when travelling for their respective news organizations.
Countries which insist on this include Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Saudi
Arabia, the United States (I-visa) and Zimbabwe.
* Marriage visa, granted for a limited period prior to intended
marriage based on a proven relationship with a citizen of the
destination country. For example, a German woman who wishes to marry an
American man would obtain a Fiancee Visa (also known as a K-1 visa to
allow her to enter the United States).
* Immigrant visa, granted for those intending to immigrate to the
issuing country. They usually are issued for a single journey as the
holder will, depending on the country, later be issued a permanent
resident identification card which will allow the traveller to enter to
the issuing country an unlimited number of times. (for example, the
United States Permanent Resident Card).
* Pensioner visa (also known as retiree visa or retirement visa),
issued by a limited number of countries (Australia, Argentina,
Thailand, Panama, etc.), to those who can demonstrate a foreign source
of income and who do not intend to work in the issuing country. Age
limits apply in some cases.
* Special Category Visa is a type of Australian visa granted to
most New Zealand citizens on arrival in Australia. New Zealand Citizens
may then pemanantly reside in Australia under the Trans-Tasman Travel
Arrangement. |
Travel Visas 
