View source for Travel visa

{{short description|Authority to enter, stay in, or exit a territory}}
{{redirect|Transit visa||Visa (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2019}}
[[File:Visa usa.jpg|thumb|A [[Visa policy of the United States|United States]] travel visa specimen]]
A '''travel''' '''visa''' ({{ety|la|charta visa|paper that has been seen}};<ref>{{cite web |title=visa {{pipe}} Origin and meaning of visa by Online Etymology Dictionary |url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/visa |website=www.etymonline.com}}</ref> also known as '''visa stamp''') is a conditional authorization granted by a [[polity]] to a foreigner that allows them to enter, remain within, or leave its territory. Visas typically include limits on the duration of the foreigner's stay, areas within the country they may enter, the dates they may enter, the number of permitted visits, or if the individual can work in the country in question. Visas are associated with the request for permission to enter a territory and thus are, in most countries, distinct from actual formal permission for an [[alien (law)|alien]] to enter and remain in the country. In each instance, a visa is subject to [[border control]] at the time of actual entry and can be revoked at any time. Visa evidence most commonly takes the form of a sticker endorsed in the applicant's [[passport]] or other [[travel document]] but may also exist electronically. Some countries no longer issue physical visa evidence, instead recording details only in [[border security]] databases.

Some countries require that their citizens, and sometimes foreign travelers, obtain an '''exit visa''' in order to be allowed to leave the country.

Historically, border security officials were empowered to permit or reject entry of visitors on arrival at the frontiers. If permitted entry, the official would issue a visa, when required, which would be a [[Passport stamp|stamp]] in a passport. Today, travellers wishing to enter another country must often apply in advance for what is also called a visa, sometimes in person at a [[Consulate|consular office]], by post, or over the Internet. The modern visa may be a sticker or a stamp in the passport, an electronic record of the authorization, or a separate document which the applicant can print before entering and produce on entry to the visited polity. Some countries do not require visitors to apply for a visa in advance for short visits.

Visa applications in advance of arrival give countries a chance to consider the applicant's circumstances, such as financial security, reason for travel, and details of previous visits to the country. Visitors may also be required to undergo and pass security or health checks upon arrival at the port of entry.

Uniquely, the Norwegian special territory of [[Svalbard]] is an [[Visa policy of Svalbard|entirely visa-free zone]] under the terms of the [[Svalbard Treaty]]. Some countries—such as those in the [[Schengen Area]]—have agreements with other countries allowing each other's citizens to travel between them without visas. In 2015, the [[World Tourism Organization]] announced that the number of tourists requiring a visa before travelling was at its lowest level ever.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/01/15/visa-requirements-for-tourism-eased-around-the-world-un-agency|title=Visa requirements for tourism eased around the world: UN agency|work=torontosun |date=15 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Visa Openness Report 2015 January 2016|doi=10.18111/9789284417384|year = 2016|isbn = 9789284417384}}</ref>

== History ==
The history of passports dates back several centuries, originating from early travel documents used to ensure safe passage across regions. One of the earliest known references to a passport-like document comes from 445 BCE in [[Persia]], where officials were provided letters by the king for safe travel. Similarly, during the [[Han dynasty|Han Dynasty]] in [[China]], documents were required at checkpoints to verify travelers' identities. In [[Middle Ages|medieval Europe]], rulers issued "safe conduct" letters that protected travelers. In 1414, during the reign of [[Henry V of England|King Henry V]] of [[England]], passports became more formalized, allowing foreigners and citizens to travel safely within England. The 19th century saw an increase in international travel due to the [[Industrial Revolution]], which led to the widespread adoption of passports, particularly for managing the movement of migrant workers.

In Western Europe in the late 19th century and early 20th century, [[passports]] and visas were not generally necessary for moving from one country to another. The relatively high speed and large movements of people travelling by train would have caused bottlenecks if regular passport controls had been used.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.passport.gc.ca/pptc/hist.aspx?lang=eng|title=History of passports – Passport Canada|date=3 June 2013|access-date=26 June 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603215243/http://www.passport.gc.ca/pptc/hist.aspx?lang=eng|archive-date=3 June 2013}}</ref>

After [[World War I]], passports and visas became essential for international travel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2006/nov/17/travelnews|title=A brief history of the passport|last=Benedictus|first=Leo|date=17 November 2006|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=26 June 2018}}</ref> The [[League of Nations]] convened conferences in the 1920s to standardise passports, setting the foundation for modern versions. The [[International Civil Aviation Organization]] (ICAO) took over regulation in 1947, leading to machine-readable passports and, eventually, biometric passports in the late 20th century, offering enhanced security and speed in processing travelers.<ref>{{Citation |last=Robertson |first=Craig |title="The Passport Nuisance" |date=29 November 2012 |work=The Passport in America |pages=215–244 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780199927579.003.0012 |access-date=29 September 2024 |publisher=Oxford University Press |doi=10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780199927579.003.0012 |isbn=978-0-19-992757-9 |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=T |first=T. |date=23 July 2023 |title=A History of the Passport: Travel Document Evolution {{!}} by Tom Topol |url=https://www.passport-collector.com/a-history-of-the-passport-travel-document-evolution/ |access-date=29 September 2024 |website=Passport-collector.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mangion |first1=Nicola |last2=Insider |first2=Investment Migration |date=2 June 2020 |title=The Passport Throughout History – The Evolution of a Document |url=https://www.imidaily.com/editors-picks/the-passport-throughout-history-the-evolution-of-a-document/ |access-date=29 September 2024 |website=IMI – Investment Migration Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Issuing authorities ==
[[File:Voucher for Myanmar visa Bangkok.jpg|thumb|Passport receipt for visa application, Embassy of Myanmar, Bangkok]]
Some visas can be granted on arrival or by prior application at the country's embassy or [[consulate]], or through a private visa service specialist who is specialized in the issuance of international travel documents. These agencies are authorized by the foreign authority, embassy, or consulate to represent international travellers who are unable or unwilling to travel to the embassy and apply in person. Private visa and passport services collect an additional fee for verifying customer applications, supporting documents, and submitting them to the appropriate authority. If there is no embassy or consulate in one's home country, then one would have to travel to a third country (or apply by post) and try to get a visa issued there. Alternatively, in such cases visas may be pre-arranged for collection on arrival at the border. The need or absence of need of a visa generally depends on the citizenship of the applicant, the intended duration of the stay, and the activities that the applicant may wish to undertake in the country he or she visits; these may delineate different formal categories of visas, with different issue conditions.

The issuing authority, usually a branch of the country's [[interior ministry]] or [[foreign ministry]], or a subordinated agency ([[Population and Immigration Authority]] in [[Israel]]), and typically consular affairs officers, may request appropriate documentation from the applicant. This may include proof that the applicant has enough money to be self-supporting (or to establish themselves, if the visa is for a long stay or permanent residence), proof that the person or hotel hosting the applicant in his or her home really exists and has sufficient room for hosting the applicant, proof that the applicant has obtained health and evacuation insurance, etc. Some countries ask for proof of health status, especially for long-term visas; some countries deny such visas to persons with certain illnesses, such as [[HIV/AIDS]]. The exact conditions depend on the country and category of visa. Notable examples of countries requiring [[HIV]] tests of long-term residents are Russia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.international.gc.ca/commerce/index.aspx?lang=fra|title=International.gc.ca|website=Gouvernement du Canada, Affaires étrangères et Commerce international Canada}}</ref> and Uzbekistan.<ref name="voythree">{{cite web|url=http://www.international.gc.ca/international/index.aspx?lang=fra|title=Affaires mondiales Canada – international.gc.ca|website=Gouvernement du Canada, Affaires étrangères et Commerce international Canada|date=17 September 2020}}</ref> In Uzbekistan, however, the HIV test requirement is sometimes not strictly enforced.<ref name="voythree"/> Other countries require a medical test that includes an HIV test, even for a short-term tourism visa. For example, [[Cubans|Cuban]] citizens and international exchange students require such a test approved by a medical authority to enter Chilean territory.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

The issuing authority may also require applicants to attest that they have no criminal convictions, or that they do not participate in certain activities (like prostitution or drug trafficking). Some countries will deny visas if passports show evidence of citizenship of, or travel to, a country that is considered hostile by that country. For example, some Arabic-oriented countries will not issue visas to nationals of Israel and those whose passports bear evidence of visiting Israel.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

Many countries frequently demand strong evidence of intent to return to the home country, if the visa is for a temporary stay, due to potential unwanted [[illegal immigration]]. Proof of ties to the visa applicant's country of residence is often demanded to demonstrate a sufficient incentive to return. This can include things such as documented evidence of employment, bank statements, property ownership, and family ties.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

==Visa politics==
The main reasons states impose visa restrictions on foreign nationals are to curb illegal immigration, security concerns, and reciprocity for visa restrictions imposed on their own nationals. Typically, nations impose visa restrictions on citizens of poorer countries, along with politically unstable and undemocratic ones, as it is considered more likely that people from these countries will seek to illegally immigrate. Visa restrictions may also be imposed when nationals of another country are perceived as likelier to be terrorists or criminals, or by autocratic regimes that perceive foreign influence to be a threat to their rule.<ref name=lse>{{Cite web|url=http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/715/1/Transactions_of_the_BIG(FINAL).pdf|title=Eprints.lse.ac.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.travel-impact-newswire.com/2005/09/study-finds-visa-curbs-increasingly-restrictive-imbalanced/|title=Study Finds Global Visa Curbs Increasingly Restrictive, Imbalanced}}</ref> According to Professor [[Eric Neumayer]] of the [[London School of Economics]]:

<blockquote>The poorer, the less democratic, and the more exposed to armed political conflict the target country is, the more likely that visa restrictions are in place against its passport holders. The same is true for countries whose nationals have been major perpetrators of terrorist acts in the past.<ref name=lse/></blockquote>

The [[Immigration#Public support|public support on immigration]] ranges between fully [[open borders]] and fully [[Open border#Examples of closed borders|closed borders]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Magris |first1=Francesco |last2=Russo |first2=Giuseppe |date=2005 |title=Voting on Mass Immigration Restriction |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41624179 |journal=Rivista Internazionale di Scienze Sociali |volume=113 |issue=1 |pages=67–92 |jstor=41624179 |issn=0035-676X}}</ref>

Some countries apply the principle of [[Reciprocity (international relations)|reciprocity]] in their visa policy. Visa reciprocity is a principle in international relations where two countries agree to give each other's citizens similar treatment when it comes to visa requirements.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Derrick |first=Khadija |date=2024-01-12 |title=What is visa reciprocity? {{!}} Scott Legal, P.C. |url=https://legalservicesincorporated.com/questions-answers/what-is-visa-reciprocity/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250120123912/https://legalservicesincorporated.com/questions-answers/what-is-visa-reciprocity/ |archive-date=2025-01-20 |access-date=2025-03-23 |work=Scott Legal, P.C. Immigration and Business Law {{!}} |language=en-US}}</ref> For example visa reciprocity is a central principle of the EU's common visa policy. The EU aims to achieve full visa reciprocity with non-EU countries whose citizens can travel to the EU without a visa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EU visa reciprocity mechanism - Questions and Answers - EU monitor |url=https://www.eumonitor.eu/9353000/1/j9vvik7m1c3gyxp/vkkbj1sjmtzc?ctx=vh1alz099lwi |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=www.eumonitor.eu}}</ref> For example, when in 2009, Canada reintroduced visa requirements for Czech nationals, arguing it was necessary due to a surge in asylum applications, it raised concerns within the EU about the implications for the common visa policy, the importance of reciprocity in maintaining good relations and ensuring equal treatment for citizens of member states.<ref>[http://aei.pitt.edu/15125/1/Eggenschwiler_on_Canada-Czech_visa_affair.pdf The Canada-Czech Republic Visa Affair: A test for visa reciprocity and fundamental rights in the European Union]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Carrera |first1=Sergio |last2=Guild |first2=Elspeth |last3=Merlino |first3=Massimo |date=October 2011 |title=The Canada-Czech Republic visa dispute two years on-Implications for the EU's migration and asylum policies. CEPS Liberty and Security in Europe, October 2011 |url=https://aei.pitt.edu/32549/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=shop.ceps.eu}}</ref>

Some polities which restrict [[emigration]] require individuals to possess an [[exit visa]] to leave the polity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/may/31bsp.htm | title = Only an exit visa | date = 31 May 2006 | access-date = 10 May 2008 | author = B. S. Prakash}}</ref> These exit visas may be required for citizens, foreigners, or both, depending on the policies of the polity concerned. Unlike ordinary visas, exit visas are often seen{{by whom|date=October 2025}} as an illegitimate intrusion on individuals' right to [[freedom of movement]].{{cn|date=October 2025}} The imposition of an exit visa requirement may be seen to violate [[Customary international law|customary]] [[international law]], as the right to leave any country is provided for in the [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]].{{cn|date=October 2025}}

== Visa policies ==
Government authorities usually impose administrative entry restrictions on foreign citizens in three ways – countries whose nationals may enter without a visa, countries whose nationals may obtain a visa on arrival, and countries whose nationals require a visa in advance. Nationals who require a visa in advance are usually advised to obtain them at a diplomatic mission of their destination country. Several countries allow nationals of countries that require a visa to obtain them online.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

The following table lists visa policies of all countries by the number of foreign nationalities that may enter that country for tourism without a visa or by obtaining a visa on arrival with normal passport. It also notes countries that issue electronic visas to certain nationalities. Symbol "+" indicates a country that limits the visa-free regime negatively by only listing nationals who require a visa, thus the number represents the number of UN member states reduced by the number of nationals who require a visa and "+" stands for all possible non-UN member state nationals that might also not require a visa. "N/A" indicates countries that have contradictory information on its official websites or information supplied by the government to [[IATA]]. Some countries that allow visa on arrival do so only at a limited number of entry points. Some countries such as the European Union member states have a qualitatively different visa regime between each other as it also includes freedom of movement.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

The following table is current {{As of|2019|10|03|lc=y}}. Source:<ref>{{Timatic Visa Policy}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Country
! Total<br /><small>(excl. electronic visas)</small>
! Visa-free
! Visa on arrival
! Electronic visas
! Notes
|-
| {{flagicon|Afghanistan}} [[Visa policy of Afghanistan|Afghanistan]]
| 0
|
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Albania}} [[Visa policy of Albania|Albania]]
| 88
| 88
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Algeria}} [[Visa policy of Algeria|Algeria]]
| 7
| 7
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Angola}} [[Visa policy of Angola|Angola]]
| 71
| 10
| 61
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Antigua and Barbuda}} [[Visa policy of Antigua and Barbuda|Antigua and Barbuda]]
| 106
| 106
|
| All
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Visa policy of Argentina|Argentina]]
| 90
| 89+1
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Armenia}} [[Visa policy of Armenia|Armenia]]
| 129
| 66
| 63
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Visa policy of Australia|Australia]]
| 1
| 1
| 0
| All-1
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} [[Visa policy of Azerbaijan|Azerbaijan]]
| 25
| 11+1
| 13
| 95
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Bahamas}} [[Visa policy of Bahamas|Bahamas]]
| 120
| 120
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Bahrain}} [[Visa policy of Bahrain|Bahrain]]
| 73
| 5
| 68
| 120+
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Bangladesh}} [[Visa policy of Bangladesh|Bangladesh]]
| 173+
| 23
| All-23-25
| 33<ref>{{Cite web |title=22 Visa Free Countries for Bangladeshi Passport Holders |url=https://visaguide.world/visa-free-countries/bangladeshi-passport/ |access-date=18 April 2024 |website=visaguide.world}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bangladesh Online MRV Portal |url=https://visa.gov.bd/ |access-date=18 April 2024 |website=visa.gov.bd}}</ref>
| Limited VOA locations.
|-
| {{flagicon|Barbados}} [[Visa policy of Barbados|Barbados]]
| 180
| 180
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Belarus}} [[Visa policy of Belarus|Belarus]]
| 92
| 28+64
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Belize}} [[Visa policy of Belize|Belize]]
| 107
| 107
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Benin}} [[Visa policy of Benin|Benin]]
| 194+
| 59
|
| All others
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Bhutan}} [[Visa policy of Bhutan|Bhutan]]
| 3
| 3
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Bolivia}} [[Visa policy of Bolivia|Bolivia]]
| 176+
| 54
| All-54-22
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} [[Visa policy of Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia and Herzegovina]]
| 102
| 102
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Botswana}} [[Visa policy of Botswana|Botswana]]
| 103
| 103
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Visa policy of Brazil|Brazil]]
| 102
| 101+1
|
|3
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Brunei}} [[Visa policy of Brunei|Brunei]]
| 63
| 56
| 7
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Burkina Faso}} [[Visa policy of Burkina Faso|Burkina Faso]]
| 70
| 19
| 51
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Burundi}} [[Visa policy of Burundi|Burundi]]
| 6
| 6
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Cambodia}} [[Visa policy of Cambodia|Cambodia]]
| 194+
| 10
| All others
| All-10
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Cameroon}} [[Visa policy of Cameroon|Cameroon]]
| 6
| 6
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Canada}} [[Visa policy of Canada|Canada]]
| 54
| 54
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Cape Verde}} [[Visa policy of Cape Verde|Cape Verde]]
| 194+
| 61
| All others
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Central African Republic}} [[Visa policy of Central African Republic|Central African Republic]]
| 17
| 17
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Chad}} [[Visa policy of Chad|Chad]]
| 15
| 14
| 1
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Chile}} [[Visa policy of Chile|Chile]]
| 92
| 92
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|China}} [[Visa policy of China|China]]
| 21
| 21
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Colombia}} [[Visa policy of Colombia|Colombia]]
| 99
| 98+1
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Comoros}} [[Visa policy of Comoros|Comoros]]
| 194+
| 0
| All
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Republic of the Congo}} [[Visa policy of the Republic of the Congo|Republic of the Congo]]
| 15
| 5
| 10
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Democratic Republic of the Congo}} [[Visa policy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo|Democratic Republic of the Congo]]
| 7
| 4
| 3
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Costa Rica}} [[Visa policy of Costa Rica|Costa Rica]]
| 96
| 96
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Cote d'Ivoire}} [[Visa policy of Cote d'Ivoire|Côte d'Ivoire]]
| 194+
| 24
|
| All-24
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Cuba}} [[Visa policy of Cuba|Cuba]]
| 19
| 19
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Djibouti}} [[Visa policy of Djibouti|Djibouti]]
| 194+
| 1
|
| All-1
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Dominica}} [[Visa policy of Dominica|Dominica]]
| 193+
| All-2
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Dominican Republic}} [[Visa policy of the Dominican Republic|Dominican Republic]]
| 108
| 108
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Ecuador}} [[Visa policy of Ecuador|Ecuador]]
| 164+
| All-34
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Egypt}} [[Visa policy of Egypt|Egypt]]
| 194+
| 8
| All-81
| 78
|
|-
| {{flagicon|El Salvador}} [[Visa policy of El Salvador|El Salvador]]
| 87
| 87
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Equatorial Guinea}} [[Visa policy of Equatorial Guinea|Equatorial Guinea]]
| 10
| 10
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Eritrea}} [[Visa policy of Eritrea|Eritrea]]
| 3
| 1
| 2
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Eswatini}} [[Visa policy of Eswatini|Eswatini]]
| 94
| 94
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Ethiopia}} [[Visa policy of Ethiopia|Ethiopia]]
| 94
| 2
| 92
| All-2
| Limited VOA locations.
|-
| {{flagicon|Fiji}} [[Visa policy of Fiji|Fiji]]
| 110
| 110
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Gabon}} [[Visa policy of Gabon|Gabon]]
| 59
| 11
| 48
| All
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Gambia}} [[Visa policy of the Gambia|Gambia]]
| 114
| 113
| 1
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Georgia}} [[Visa policy of Georgia|Georgia]]
| 94
| 94
|
| 62
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Ghana}} [[Visa policy of Ghana|Ghana]]
| 58
| 30
| 28
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Grenada}} [[Visa policy of Grenada|Grenada]]
| 119
| 108
| 11
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Guatemala}} [[Visa policy of Guatemala|Guatemala]]
| 86
| 86
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Guinea}} [[Visa policy of Guinea|Guinea]]
| 22
| 22
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Guinea-Bissau}} [[Visa policy of Guinea-Bissau|Guinea-Bissau]]
| 194+
| 14
| All-14
| All-14
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Guyana}} [[Visa policy of Guyana|Guyana]]
| 59
| 57
| 2
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Haiti}} [[Visa policy of Haiti|Haiti]]
| 188+
| All-10
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Honduras}} [[Visa policy of Honduras|Honduras]]
| 85
| 85
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Hong Kong}} [[Visa policy of Hong Kong|Hong Kong]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/visit-transit/visit-visa-entry-permit.html|title=Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region {{pipe}} Immigration Department|website=www.immd.gov.hk}}</ref>
| 148
| 148
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|India}} [[Visa policy of India|India]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Indian Tourist Visa On Arrival|url=https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html|access-date=7 January 2015}}</ref>
| 6
| 3
| 3
| 156
| Limited e-Tourist Visa locations.
|-
| {{flagicon|Indonesia}} [[Visa policy of Indonesia|Indonesia]]
| 86
| 9
| 77
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Iran}} [[Visa policy of Iran|Iran]]
| 183+
| 16
| All-16
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Iraq}} [[Visa policy of Iraq|Iraq]]
| 44
| 0
| 7+37
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Ireland}} [[Visa policy of Ireland|Ireland]]
| 89+
| 89+
|
|
| +31 EU/EEA/CH citizens.
|-
| {{flagicon|Israel}} [[Visa policy of Israel|Israel]]
| 101
| 101
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Jamaica}} [[Visa policy of Jamaica|Jamaica]]
| 132
| 101+5
| 25+1
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Visa policy of Japan|Japan]]
| 68
| 68
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Jordan}} [[Visa policy of Jordan|Jordan]]
| 139
| 12
| 127
|
| Limited VOA locations.
|-
| {{flagicon|Kazakhstan}} [[Visa policy of Kazakhstan|Kazakhstan]]
| 76
| 76
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Kenya}} [[Visa policy of Kenya|Kenya]]
| 43
| 43
| 0
| All-12
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Kiribati}} [[Visa policy of Kiribati|Kiribati]]
| 73
| 73
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|North Korea}} [[Visa policy of North Korea|North Korea]]
| 0
|
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Visa policy of South Korea|South Korea]]
| 112
| 110+2
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Kuwait}} [[Visa policy of Kuwait|Kuwait]]
| 58
| 5
| 53
| 53
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Kyrgyzstan}} [[Visa policy of Kyrgyzstan|Kyrgyzstan]]
| 82
| 78
| 4
| All
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Laos}} [[Visa policy of Laos|Laos]]
| 194+
| 15
| All-32
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Lebanon}} [[Visa policy of Lebanon|Lebanon]]
| 103
| 7
| 80+16
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Lesotho}} [[Visa policy of Lesotho|Lesotho]]
| 70
| 70
|
| All
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Liberia}} [[Visa policy of Liberia|Liberia]]
| 14
| 14
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Libya}} [[Visa policy of Libya|Libya]]
| 7
| 7
|
|
| 2 countries are Conditional visa-free access
|-
| {{flagicon|Macau}} [[Visa policy of Macau|Macau]]
| 194+
| 83
| All-6
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|North Macedonia}} [[Visa policy of the Republic of Macedonia|North Macedonia]]
| 84
| 84
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Madagascar}} [[Visa policy of Madagascar|Madagascar]]
| 194+
| 0
| All
| All
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Malawi}} [[Visa policy of Malawi|Malawi]]
| 194+
| 33
| All-33-48
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[Visa policy of Malaysia|Malaysia]]
| 162
| 162
|
| 10
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Maldives}} [[Visa policy of Maldives|Maldives]]
| 194+
| 3
| All-3
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Mali}} [[Visa policy of Mali|Mali]]
| 25
| 25
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Marshall Islands}} [[Visa policy of Marshall Islands|Marshall Islands]]
| 96
| 32
| 63+1
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Mauritania}} [[Visa policy of Mauritania|Mauritania]]
| 194+
| 8
| All-8
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Mauritius}} [[Visa policy of Mauritius|Mauritius]]
| 194+
| 114
| All-17
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Visa policy of Mexico|Mexico]]
| 65
| 65
|
| 3
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Federated States of Micronesia}} [[Visa policy of Micronesia|Micronesia]]
| 194+
| All
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Moldova}} [[Visa policy of Moldova|Moldova]]
| 104
| 104
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Mongolia}} [[Visa policy of Mongolia|Mongolia]]
| 64
| 27+1
| 36
| 36
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Montenegro}} [[Visa policy of Montenegro|Montenegro]]
| 97
| 96+1
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Morocco}} [[Visa policy of Morocco|Morocco]]
| 72
| 72
|
| 5
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Mozambique}} [[Visa policy of Mozambique|Mozambique]]
| 194+
| 11
| All-11
|
| Limited VOA locations.
|-
| {{flagicon|Myanmar}} [[Visa policy of Myanmar|Myanmar]]
| 21
| 8
| 13
| 102
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Namibia}} [[Visa policy of Namibia|Namibia]]
| 98
| 55
| 42+1
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Nauru}} [[Visa policy of Nauru|Nauru]]
| 16
| 0
| 14+2
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Nepal}} [[Visa policy of Nepal|Nepal]]
| 186+
| 1
| 185+
|
| Limited VOA locations.
|-
| {{flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Visa policy of New Zealand|New Zealand]]
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 60
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Nicaragua}} [[Visa policy of Nicaragua|Nicaragua]]
| 165
| 90+1
| 74
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Niger}} [[Visa policy of Niger|Niger]]
| 19
| 19
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Nigeria}} [[Visa policy of Nigeria|Nigeria]]
| 18
| 17
| 1
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Oman}} [[Visa policy of Oman|Oman]]
| 103
| 102+1
|
| 72
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Pakistan}} [[Visa policy of Pakistan|Pakistan]]
| 5
| 5
|
| All-4
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Palau}} [[Visa policy of Palau|Palau]]
| 194+
| 36
| All-36
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Panama}} [[Visa policy of Panama|Panama]]
| 118
| 118
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Papua New Guinea}} [[Visa policy of Papua New Guinea|Papua New Guinea]]
| 71
| 0
| 71
| 71+25
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Paraguay}} [[Visa policy of Paraguay|Paraguay]]
| 67
| 65
| 2
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Peru}} [[Visa policy of Peru|Peru]]
| 100
| 100
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Philippines}} [[Visa policy of the Philippines|Philippines]]
| 160
| 160
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Qatar}} [[Visa policy of Qatar|Qatar]]
| 92
| 89
| 3
| All-3
| Limited VOA locations.
|-
| {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Visa policy of Russia|Russia]]
| 66
| 63+3
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Rwanda}} [[Visa policy of Rwanda|Rwanda]]
| 194+
| 24
| All-24
| All
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Saint Kitts and Nevis}} [[Visa policy of Saint Kitts and Nevis|Saint Kitts and Nevis]]
| 125
| 125
|
| All
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Saint Lucia}} [[Visa policy of Saint Lucia|Saint Lucia]]
| 160
| 96+14
| 50
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}} [[Visa policy of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]]
| 191+
| All-9
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Samoa}} [[Visa policy of Samoa|Samoa]]
| 194+
| All
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|São Tomé and Príncipe}} [[Visa policy of Sao Tome and Principe|São Tomé and Príncipe]]
| 59
| 56
| 3
| All
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} [[Visa policy of Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabia]]
| 5
| 5
|
| 52
|
|-
| {{flagicon|European Union}} [[Visa policy in the European Union|Schengen area]]<ref>Encompasses Schengen member states – Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland as well as Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania and countries without border controls – Monaco, San Marino, Vatican and a country accessible only via Schengen area – Andorra.</ref>
| 93
| 62+31
|
|
| 31 EU/EEA/CH citizens.
|-
| {{flagicon|Senegal}} [[Visa policy of Senegal|Senegal]]
| 194+
| 61
| All-4
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Serbia}} [[Visa policy of Serbia|Serbia]]
| 93
| 93
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Seychelles}} [[Visa policy of Seychelles|Seychelles]]
| 195+
| 33
| All-33-1
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Sierra Leone}} [[Visa policy of Sierra Leone|Sierra Leone]]
| 137
| 14
| 123
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Singapore}} [[Visa policy of Singapore|Singapore]]
| 162+
| 162+
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Solomon Islands}} [[Visa policy of the Solomon Islands|Solomon Islands]]
| 74
| 32
| 42
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Somalia}} [[Visa policy of Somalia|Somalia]]
| 194+
|
|
|
| Limited VOA locations.
|-
| {{flagicon|South Africa}} [[Visa policy of South Africa|South Africa]]
| 83
| 83
|
| 14
|
|-
| {{flagicon|South Sudan}} [[Visa policy of South Sudan|South Sudan]]
| 4
| 4
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Sri Lanka}} [[Visa policy of Sri Lanka|Sri Lanka]]
| 194+
| 0
| 3
| All-3-20
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Sudan}} [[Visa policy of Sudan|Sudan]]
| 8
| 4+1
| 3
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Suriname}} [[Visa policy of Suriname|Suriname]]
| 80
| 24+7
| 49
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Syria}} [[Visa policy of Syria|Syria]]
| 0
|
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Tajikistan}} [[Visa policy of Tajikistan|Tajikistan]]
| 87
| 62
| 25
| 120
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Tanzania}} [[Visa policy of Tanzania|Tanzania]]
| 169+
| 46+23
| All-69-29
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Visa policy of Thailand|Thailand]]
| 83
| 65
| 18
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Timor-Leste}} [[Visa policy of East Timor|Timor-Leste]]
| 194+
| 33
| All-33
|
| Limited VOA locations.
|-
| {{flagicon|Togo}} [[Visa policy of Togo|Togo]]
| 194+
| 15
| All-15
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Tonga}} [[Visa policy of Tonga|Tonga]]
| 69
| 33
| 36
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Trinidad and Tobago}} [[Visa policy of Trinidad and Tobago|Trinidad and Tobago]]
| 103
| 100
| 3
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Tunisia}} [[Visa policy of Tunisia|Tunisia]]
| 95
| 95
|
|
| +11 for organised groups.
|-
| {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Visa policy of Turkey|Turkey]]
| 91
| 90+1
|
| 29
| e-Visas can also be obtained on arrival for a higher cost.
|-
| {{flagicon|Turkmenistan}} [[Visa policy of Turkmenistan|Turkmenistan]]
| 0
|
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Tuvalu}} [[Visa policy of Tuvalu|Tuvalu]]
| 194+
| 31
| All-31
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Uganda}} [[Visa policy of Uganda|Uganda]]
| 194+
| 36
| All-36
| All
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Visa policy of Ukraine|Ukraine]]
| 82
| 82
|
| 45
|
|-
| {{flagicon|United Arab Emirates}} [[Visa policy of the United Arab Emirates|United Arab Emirates]]
| 81
| 81
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Visa policy of the United Kingdom|United Kingdom]]
| 89
| 89
|
| 6
| +31 EU/EEA/CH citizens.
|-
| {{flagicon|United States}} [[Visa policy of the United States|United States]]
| 45
| 40+5
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Uruguay}} [[Visa policy of Uruguay|Uruguay]]
| 85
| 84+1
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Uzbekistan}} [[Visa policy of Uzbekistan|Uzbekistan]]
| 93
| 93
|
| 51
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Vanuatu}} [[Visa policy of Vanuatu|Vanuatu]]
| 121
| 121
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Venezuela}} [[Visa policy of Venezuela|Venezuela]]
| 70
| 70
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Vietnam}} [[Visa policy of Vietnam|Vietnam]]
| 25
| 25
|
| 81
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Yemen}} [[Visa policy of Yemen|Yemen]]
| 12
| 1
| 11
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Zambia}} [[Visa policy of Zambia|Zambia]]
| 160+
| 83+16
| 61
| All
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Zimbabwe}} [[Visa policy of Zimbabwe|Zimbabwe]]
| 149+
| 41+4
| 102+2
| All
|
|}

=== Visa exemption agreements<span class="anchor" id="Visa waiver"></span> ===
{{See also|Migration diplomacy|Free migration}}
Possession of a valid visa is a condition for entry into most countries. However, bilateral exemption schemes exist that permit [[free movement]] between participating states and addition many states permit visa-free entry {{snd}} known as a '''visa waiver'''{{snd}} for short-term tourist visits.

Some countries have [[Reciprocity (international relations)|reciprocal]] agreements such that a visa is not needed under certain conditions, e.g., when the visit is for [[tourism]] and for a relatively short period. Such reciprocal agreements may stem from common membership in international organizations or a shared heritage:
* All citizens of [[European Union]] (EU) and [[EFTA]] member countries can travel to and stay in all other EU and EFTA countries without a visa. See [[Four Freedoms (European Union)]] and [[Citizenship of the European Union]].
* British and Irish citizens are entitled the right to travel to and live in each other's countries without visas or restrictions under the [[Common Travel Area]] (CTA). Citizens of territories in the CTA do not need visas to travel to and stay in other countries in the CTA.
* The United States [[Visa Waiver Program]] allows citizens of 41 countries to travel to the United States without a visa (although a pre-trip entry permission, [[Electronic System for Travel Authorization|ESTA]], is needed).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/WebHelp/ESTA_Screen-Level_Online_Help_1.htm#vwp3|title=Esta.cbp.dhs.gov|access-date=15 September 2014|archive-date=9 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209222627/https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/WebHelp/ESTA_Screen-Level_Online_Help_1.htm#vwp3|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Citizens of Canada and the United States do not require a visa to travel between the two countries. Historically, verbal declaration of citizenship, or, if requested by an officer, the presentation of one of over 8,000 different types of documents indicating US or Canadian citizenship was sufficient in order to cross the border.<ref>{{cite web |title=Background: U.S. Land Border Crossing Updated Procedures |date=31 January 2008 |url=https://www.dhs.gov/news/2009/07/06/background-us-land-border-crossing-updated-procedures |publisher=[[United States Department of Homeland Security]] |access-date=13 September 2020}}</ref> Since the [[Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative]] came into effect in 2009, a passport, border crossing card, or [[enhanced driver's license]] is now required in order to enter the US from Canada by land, or a passport by air.
* Any [[Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf|Gulf Cooperation Council]] (GCC) citizen can enter and stay as long as required in any other GCC member state.
* All citizens of members of the [[Economic Community of West African States]] (ECOWAS), excluding those defined by law as undesirable aliens, may enter and stay without a visa in any member state for a maximum period of 90 days. The only requirement is a valid travel document and international vaccination certificates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sec.ecowas.int/sitecedeao/english/achievements-1.htm#2|title=ECOWAS Official Site|access-date=1 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070519015023/http://www.sec.ecowas.int/sitecedeao/english/achievements-1.htm#2|archive-date=19 May 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Nationals of the [[East African Community]] member states do not need visas for entry into any of the member states.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amb-tanzanie.fr/article3.html|title=Tanzanian Embassy in France|access-date=1 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061124173450/http://www.amb-tanzanie.fr/article3.html|archive-date=24 November 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://uganda.embassyhomepage.com/ugandan_visa_uganda_embassy_uk_ugandan_embassy_london_uk.htm|title=Ugandan Visa|access-date=1 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061118183517/http://uganda.embassyhomepage.com/ugandan_visa_uganda_embassy_uk_ugandan_embassy_london_uk.htm|archive-date=18 November 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kenyahighcommission.net/visas.html#donot|title=Kenyahighcommission.net}}</ref>
* Some countries in the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] do not require tourist visas of [[Citizenship#Commonwealth|citizens]] of other Commonwealth countries.
* Citizens of member states of the [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations]] do not require tourist visas to visit another member state, with the exception of [[Malaysia]] and [[Myanmar]]; both countries require citizens of the other country to have an eVisa to visit. Until 2009, Burmese citizens were required to have visas to enter all other ASEAN countries. Following the implementation of visa exemption agreements with the other ASEAN countries, in 2016 Burmese citizens are only required to have visas to enter Malaysia.
* [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] (CIS) member states mutually allow their citizens to enter visa-free, at least for short stays. There are exceptions between [[Tajikistan]] and [[Uzbekistan]], and between [[Armenia]] and [[Azerbaijan]].
* [[Nepal]] and [[India]] allow their citizens to enter, live, and work in each other's countries due to the Indo-Nepal friendship treaty of 1951. Indians do not require a visa or passport to travel to [[Bhutan]] and are only required to obtain passes at the border checkpoints, whilst Bhutan nationals holding a valid [[Bhutanese passport]] are authorized to enter India without a visa.
* Citizens of [[Mercosur]] full member and associate countries can enter without a visa in any of the member and associate countries, just needing to present the ID card.<ref name="mercosur">{{cite web |title=Residir no Mercosul |url=https://www.mercosur.int/pt-br/cidadaos/residir/ |publisher=Mercosur |access-date=26 July 2021 |language=pt-br}}</ref><ref name="mercosur1">{{cite web |title=Turismo |url=https://www.mercosur.int/pt-br/cidadaos/turismo/ |publisher=Mercosur |access-date=26 July 2021 |language=pt-br}}</ref>

In some cases visa-free entry may be granted to holders of diplomatic passports even as visas are required by normal passport holders (''see: [[Passport]]'').

Other countries may unilaterally grant visa-free entry to nationals of certain countries to facilitate tourism, promote business, or even to cut expenses on maintaining consular posts abroad.

Some of the considerations for a country to grant visa-free entry to another country include (but are not limited to):{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}
* being a low security risk for the country potentially granting visa-free entry
* diplomatic relationship between two countries
* conditions in the visitor's home country as compared to the host country
* having a low risk of overstaying or violating visa terms in the country potentially granting visa-free entry

To have a smaller worldwide diplomatic staff, some countries rely on other country's (or countries') judgments when issuing visas. For example, [[Mexico]] allows citizens of all countries to enter without Mexican visas if they possess a valid American visa that has already been used. [[Costa Rica]] accepts valid visas of [[Schengen agreement|Schengen]]/EU countries, [[Canada]], [[Japan]], [[South Korea]], and the United States (if valid for at least three months on date of arrival). The ultimate example of such reliance is the microstate of [[Andorra]], which imposes no visa requirements of its own because it has no international airport and is inaccessible by land without passing through the territory of either [[France]] or [[Spain]] and is thus "protected" by the Schengen visa system.

Visa-free travel between countries also occurs in all cases where passports (or passport-replacing documents such as laissez-passer) are not needed for such travel. (''For examples of passport-free travel, see [[Passport#International travel without passports|International travel without passports]]''.)

As of 2019, the ''Henley & Partners'' passport index ranks the Japanese, Singaporean, and South Korean passports as the ones with the most visa exemptions by other nations, allowing holders of those passports to visit 189 countries without obtaining a visa in advance of arrival.<ref>{{cite web |title=The ''Henley & Partners'' Passport Index |url=https://www.henleyglobal.com/files/download/HPI2019/Full_Q2_2019_Ranking.pdf|publisher=Henley & Partners Holdings Ltd |access-date=6 June 2019 |date=26 March 2019 |quote=This graph shows the full Global Ranking of the 2019 Henley Passport Index. As the index uses [[Ranking#Dense ranking ("1223" ranking)|dense ranking]], in certain cases, a rank is shared by multiple countries because these countries all have the same level of visa-free or visa-on-arrival access.}}</ref>

=== Common area visas ===
Normally, visas are valid for entry only into the country that issued the visa. Countries that are members of [[regional organization]]s or party to regional agreements may, however, issue visas valid for entry into some or all of the member states of the organization or agreement:
* The '''[[Schengen Agreement|Schengen]] Visa''' is a visa for the [[Schengen Area]], which consists of most of the [[European Economic Area]], plus several other adjacent countries. The visa allows visitors to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}}. The visa is valid for tourism, family visits, and business.
* The '''Central American Single Visa (Visa Única Centroamericana)''' is a visa for Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. It was implemented by the [[Central America-4 Border Control Agreement|CA-4 agreement]]. It allows citizens of those four countries free access to other member countries. It also allows visitors to any member country to enter another member country without having to obtain another visa.

==== Possible common visa schemes ====
Potentially, there are new common visa schemes:
* An '''[[ASEAN]] common visa scheme''' has been considered with Thailand and the "CLMV" countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam opting in earlier. After talk arose of a CLMV common visa,<ref name="ttg">{{cite web |url=http://www.ttgasia.com/article.php?article_id=4446 |title=CLMV bloc inks tourism pact, mulls over single tourist visa – TTG Asia – Leader in Hotel, Airlines, Tourism and Travel Trade News |publisher=TTG Asia |access-date=22 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914150915/http://ttgasia.com/article.php?article_id=4446 |archive-date=14 September 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> with Thailand being omitted, Thailand initiated and began implementation of a trial common visa with Cambodia, but cited security risks as the major hurdle. The trial run was delayed,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/322757/thailand-cambodia-joint-visa-delayed |title=Thailand-Cambodia joint visa delayed {{pipe}} Bangkok Post: news |newspaper=Bangkok Post |date=23 November 2012 |access-date=22 October 2013}}</ref> but Thailand implemented a single visa scheme with Cambodia beginning on 27 December 2012 on a trial basis.<ref>{{cite web|agency=IANS |url=http://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/thai-cambodia-single-visa-visitors-084820225.html |title=Thai-Cambodia single visa for visitors |website=Yahoo News Maktoob |publisher=En-maktoob.news.yahoo.com |date=27 December 2012 |access-date=22 October 2013}}</ref>
* A [[Gulf Cooperation Council]] single visa has been recommended as a study submitted to the council.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/single-gcc-tourism-visa-will-boost-visitor-numbers-study-1.1106463 |title=Single GCC tourism visa will boost visitor numbers — study |publisher=GulfNews.com |date=18 November 2012 |access-date=22 October 2013}}</ref>
* The [[Pacific Alliance]], which currently consists of [[Chile]], [[Colombia]], [[Mexico]], and [[Peru]], offer a common visa for tourism purposes only in order to make it easier for nationals from countries outside of the alliance to travel through these countries by not having to apply for multiple visas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2013/05/24/mexico-colombia-chile-y-peru-crean-la-visa-alianza-del-pacifico/ |title=México, Colombia, Chile y Perú crean la visa Alianza del Pacífico – CNN en Español: Ultimas Noticias de Estados Unidos, Latinoamérica y el Mundo, Opinión y Videos – CNN.com Blogs |publisher=Cnnespanol.cnn.com |date= 24 May 2013|access-date=22 October 2013}}</ref>
* An '''[[East African Community#Single tourist visa|East African Single Tourist Visa]]''' is under consideration by the relevant sectoral authorities under the [[East African Community]] (EAC) integration program. If approved the visa will be valid for all five partner states in the EAC ([[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], [[Uganda]], [[Rwanda]], and [[Burundi]]). Under the proposal for the visa, any new East African single visa can be issued by any partner state's embassy. The visa proposal followed an appeal by the tourist boards of the partner states for a common visa to accelerate promotion of the region as a single tourist destination and the EAC Secretariat wants it approved before November's World Travel Fair (or [[World Travel Market]]) in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmedia.com/eastafrican/24072006/News/News240720066.htm|title=Single East African visa for tourists coming in November|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531164054/http://www.nationmedia.com/eastafrican/24072006/News/News240720066.htm|archive-date=31 May 2008}}</ref> When approved by the East African council of ministers, tourists could apply for one country's entry visa, which would then be applicable in all regional member states as a single entry requirement initiative.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://travelvideo.tv/news/more.php?id=A9296_0_1_0_M|title=East Africa geared for single tourist entry visa program|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305031954/http://travelvideo.tv/news/more.php?id=A9296_0_1_0_M|archive-date=5 March 2009}}</ref> This is considered also by [[COMESA]].
* The '''SADC UNIVISA''' (or '''Univisa''') has been in development since [[Southern African Development Community]] (SADC) members signed a Protocol on the Development of Tourism in 1998. The Protocol outlined the Univisa as an objective so as to enable the international and regional entry and travel of visitors to occur as smoothly as possible.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}} It was expected to become operational by the end of 2002.<ref name="autogenerated4">{{Cite web|url=https://economist.com.na/2001/sport/sa-teams-vs-local-schools/|title=SA teams vs local schools &#124; Namibia Economist}}</ref> Its introduction was delayed and a new implementation date, the end of 2006, was announced. The univisa was originally intended to only be available, initially, to visitors from selected "source markets" including Australia, the [[Benelux countries]], France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.<ref name="autogenerated4" /> It is now expected that when the Univisa is implemented, it will apply to non-SADC international (long-haul) tourists travelling to and within the region and that it will encourage multi – destination travel within the region. It is also anticipated that the Univisa will enlarge tourist market for transfrontier parks by lowering the boundaries between neighbouring countries in the parks. The visa is expected to be valid for all the countries with trans frontier parks (Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe) and some other SADC countries (Angola and Swaziland).<ref name="autogenerated3">{{cite web|website=sagoodnews.co.za |url=http://www.sagoodnews.co.za/countdown/451310.htm |title=Single visa proposed for southern Africa for 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060924140905/http://www.sagoodnews.co.za/countdown/451310.htm |archive-date=24 September 2006 }}</ref> As of 2017, universal visa is implemented by [[Zambia]] and [[Zimbabwe]]. Nationals of 65 countries and territories are eligible for visa on arrival that is valid for both countries. This visa is branded ''KAZA Uni-visa programme'' after [[Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area]] (KAZA). It is expected that other SADC countries will join the program in the future.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chronicle.co.zw/zim-zambia-revive-kaza-uni-visa/|title=Zim, Zambia revive Kaza Uni-Visa – The Chronicle|website=www.chronicle.co.zw |date=22 December 2016 }}</ref>

==== Previous common visa schemes ====
These schemes no longer operate.
* The '''[[Caricom#CARICOM Visa and the Single Domestic Space|CARICOM Visa]]''' was introduced in late 2006 and allowed visitors to travel between 10 [[CARICOM]] member states ([[Antigua & Barbuda]], [[Barbados]], [[Dominica]], [[Grenada]], [[Guyana]], [[Jamaica]], [[St. Kitts & Nevis]], [[St. Lucia]], [[St. Vincent & the Grenadines]], and [[Trinidad and Tobago]]). These ten member countries had agreed to form a "Single Domestic Space" in which travellers would only have their passport stamped and have to submit completed, standardized entry and departure forms at the first port and country of entry. The CARICOM Visa was applicable to the nationals of all countries except CARICOM member states (other than Haiti) and associate member states, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the overseas countries, territories, or departments of these countries. The CARICOM Visa could be obtained from the Embassies/Consulates of Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago and in countries that have no CARICOM representatives, the applications forms could be obtained from the embassies and consulates of the United Kingdom. The common visa was only intended for the duration of the [[2007 Cricket World Cup]] and was discontinued on 15 May 2007. Discussions are ongoing into instituting a revised CARICOM visa on a permanent basis in the future.
* A predecessor of the Schengen common visa was the [[Benelux]] visa. Visas issued by Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg were valid for all the three countries.

=== Entry and duration period ===
Visas can also be ''single-entry'', which means the visa is cancelled as soon as the holder enters 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 permit]]s that allow temporarily leaving the country without invalidating the visa. Even a business visa will normally not allow the holder to work in the host country without an additional [[work permit]].

Once issued, a visa will typically have to be used within a certain period of time.

In some countries, the validity of a visa is not the same as the authorized period of stay. The visa validity then indicates the time period when the entry is permitted into the country. For example, if a visa has been issued to begin on 1 January and to expire on 30 March, and the typical authorized period of stay in a country is 90 days, then the 90-day authorized stay starts on the day the passenger enters the country (entrance has to be between 1 January and 30 March). Thus, the latest day the traveller could conceivably stay in the issuing country is 1 July (if the traveller entered on 30 March). This interpretation of visas is common in the Americas.

With other countries, a person may not stay beyond the period of validity of their visa, which is usually set within the period of validity of their passport. The visa may also limit the total number of days the visitor may spend in the applicable territory within the period of validity. This interpretation of visa periods is common in Europe.

Once in the country, the validity period of a visa or authorized stay can often be extended for a fee at the discretion of immigration authorities. Overstaying a period of authorized stay given by the immigration officers is considered [[illegal immigration]] even if the visa validity period is not over (i.e., for multiple entry visas) and a form of being "out of status" and the offender may be [[Fine (penalty)|fined]], prosecuted, [[deportation|deported]], or even [[blacklist]]ed from entering the country again.

Entering a country without a valid visa or visa exemption may result in detention and removal (deportation or exclusion) from the country. Undertaking activities that are not authorized by the status of entry (for example, working while possessing a non-worker tourist status) can result in the individual being deemed liable for deportation—commonly referred to as an [[Alien (law)|illegal alien]]. Such violation is not a violation of a visa, despite the common misuse of the phrase, but a violation of status – hence the term "out of status".

Even having a visa does not guarantee entry to the host country. The border crossing authorities make the final determination to allow entry, and may even cancel a visa at the border if the alien cannot demonstrate to their satisfaction that they will abide by the status their visa grants them.

Some countries that do not require visas for short stays may require a long-stay visa for those who intend to apply for a [[residence permit]]. For example, the EU does not require a visa of citizens of many countries for stays under 90 days, but its member states require a long-stay visa of such citizens for longer stays.

==== By method of issue ====
Normally visa applications are made at and collected from a consulate, embassy, or other diplomatic mission.

===== On-arrival visas =====
[[File:1countries issueing Visa on Arrival.png|center|upright=3.2|thumb|{{legend|#F91538|Countries that issue visas or permits on arrival as a general rule for all arriving visitors}}{{legend|#F97E20|Countries that issue visas or permits on arrival to a selected group of nationalities (more than 10)}}{{legend|#c0c0c0|Countries that do not routinely issue visas or permits on arrival to foreign visitors}}]]
Also known as visas on arrival (VOA), they are granted at a port of entry. This is distinct from visa-free entry, where no visa is required, as the visitor must still obtain the visa on arrival before proceeding to immigration control.

* Almost all countries will consider issuing a visa (or another document to the same effect) on arrival to a visitor arriving in unforeseen exceptional circumstances, for example:
** Under provisions of article 35 of the Schengen Visa Code,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:243:0001:0058:en:PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091117204951/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:243:0001:0058:en:PDF|url-status=live|title=Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code)|archive-date=17 November 2009}}</ref> a visa may be issued at a border in situations such as the diversion of a flight causing air passengers in transit to pass through two or more airports instead of one. In 2010, Iceland's [[2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull|Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted]], causing [[Air travel disruption after the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption|significant disruption of air travel throughout Europe]], and the [[European Union|EU]] responded by announcing that it would issue visas at land borders to stranded travellers.
** Under section 212(d)(4) of the Immigration and Naturalization Act,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/SLB/HTML/SLB/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-29/0-0-0-2006/0-0-0-2364.html|title=Act 212(b) {{!}} USCIS|website=www.uscis.gov|access-date=14 February 2019}}</ref> visa waivers can be issued to travellers arriving at American ports of entry in emergency situations or under other conditions.
** Certain international airports in Russia have consuls on-duty, who have the power to issue visas on the spot.
* Some countries issue visas on arrival to special categories of travellers, such as seafarers or aircrew.
* Some countries issue them to regular visitors. There often are restrictions – for example:
** {{BLR}} issues visas on arrival in Minsk international airport only to nationals of countries where there is no consular representation of Belarus.
** {{THA}} only issues visas on arrival at certain border checkpoints. The most notable crossing where visas on arrival are not issued is the Padang Besar checkpoint for passenger trains between Malaysia and Thailand. As of May 2025, individuals applying for a tourist visa to Thailand must provide financial evidence of sufficient resources.<ref>{{Cite web |last=VisasNews |date=2025-05-16 |title=Thailand: financial evidence once again required for tourist visas |url=https://visasnews.com/en/thailand-financial-evidence-once-again-required-for-tourist-visas/ |access-date=2025-09-17 |website=VisasNews |language=en-US}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="font-size:90%;line-height:1.2"
|- style="vertical-align:bottom;"
! Country
! Universal eligibility
! Electronic visa alternative
! Limited ports of entry
! Ref.
|-
| {{flagcountry|Armenia}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Azerbaijan}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{yes|✓}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Bahrain}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Bangladesh}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{yes|✓}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Bolivia}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Brunei}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Burkina Faso}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Cambodia}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Cape Verde}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Chad}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Comoros}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Congo}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|DR Congo}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Djibouti}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Egypt}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{yes|✓}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Eritrea}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Ethiopia}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{yes|✓}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Gabon}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{yes|✓}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Gambia}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Ghana}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Grenada}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Guinea-Bissau}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|India}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{yes|✓}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Indonesia}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kemlu.go.id/newdelhi/en/layanan-visa/Pages/Visa-Kunjungan-Saat-Kedatangan.aspx|title=Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia – Visa On Arrival|website=www.kemlu.go.id|access-date=25 March 2019|archive-date=25 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325095112/https://www.kemlu.go.id/newdelhi/en/layanan-visa/Pages/Visa-Kunjungan-Saat-Kedatangan.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagcountry|Iran}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{yes|✓}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Iraq}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Jamaica}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Jordan}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Kenya}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Kuwait}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Kyrgyzstan}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Laos}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{yes|✓}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Lebanon}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Macau}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Madagascar}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Malawi}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Maldives}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Marshall Islands}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Mauritania}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Mauritius}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Mongolia}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Mozambique}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Namibia}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Nauru}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Nepal}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Nicaragua}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Nigeria}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Oman}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Palau}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Papua New Guinea}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{yes|✓}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Paraguay}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Rwanda}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Saint Lucia}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|São Tomé and Príncipe}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Saudi Arabia}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Seychelles}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Sierra Leone}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{Flagicon|SOM}} [[Somalia]]
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Sri Lanka}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Sudan}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Taiwan}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{yes|✓}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Tanzania}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Thailand}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Timor-Leste}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Togo}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Tonga}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Trinidad and Tobago}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Tuvalu}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Uganda}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Ukraine}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{yes|✓}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|United Arab Emirates}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Yemen}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Zambia}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|-
| {{flagcountry|Zimbabwe}}
| {{no|X}}
| {{yes|✓}}
| {{no|X}}
|
|}

===== Electronic visas =====
{{main|electronic visa}}
[[File:Electronic visas.png|right|upright=2.7|thumb|Electronic visas{{legend|#00A9DA|Countries granting electronic visas universally}}{{legend|#95DAF4|Countries granting electronic visas to select nationalities}}{{legend|#BECDB6|Countries requiring electronic registration from most visa exempt visitors (excluding Australian eVisitor)}}{{legend|#d6d1b8|Countries that plan to introduce eVisas in the future}}{{legend|#c0c0c0|Countries without electronic visas facilities}}]]
An electronic visa (e-Visa or eVisa) is stored in a computer and is linked to the passport number so no label, sticker, or stamp is placed in the passport before travel. The application is done over the internet, and the receipt acts as a visa, which can be printed or stored on a mobile device.

==== Visa extensions ====
Many countries have a mechanism to allow the holder of a visa to apply to extend a visa. In Denmark, a visa holder can apply to the [[Danish Immigration Service]] for a [[Permanent residency|Residence Permit]] after they have arrived in the country. In the United Kingdom, applications can be made to [[UK Visas and Immigration]].

In certain circumstances, it is impossible for the holder of the visa to do this, either because the country does not have a mechanism to prolong visas or, most likely, because the holder of the visa is using a short stay visa to live in a country.

===== Visa run =====
[[Image:Laos.Visa.JPG|right|thumb|This person left and then went back to [[Laos]] on the same day in order to activate another period of stay.]]
Some foreign visitors engage in what is known as a ''visa run'': leaving a country—usually to a neighboring country—for a short period just before the permitted length of stay expires, then returning to the first country to get a new entry stamp in order to extend their stay ("reset the clock"). Despite the name, a visa run is usually done with a passport that can be used for entry without a visa.

Visa runs are frowned upon by immigration authorities as they may signify that the foreigner wishes to reside permanently and might also work in that country – purposes that are prohibited and that usually require an immigrant visa or a work visa. Immigration officers may deny re-entry to visitors suspected of engaging in prohibited activities, especially when they have done repeated visa runs and have no evidence of spending reasonable time in their home countries or countries where they have the right to reside and work.

To combat visa runs, some countries have limits on how long visitors can spend in the country without a visa, as well as how much time they have to stay out before "resetting the clock". For example, [[Schengen Area|Schengen]] countries impose a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. Some countries do not "reset the clock" when a visitor comes back after visiting a neighboring country. For example, the United States does not give visitors a new period of stay when they come back from visiting Canada, Mexico, or [[the Caribbean]]; instead they are re-admitted to the United States for the remaining days granted on their initial entry.<ref>{{cite web|title=Visa Waiver Program {{!}} Embassy of the United States Canberra, Australia|url=http://canberra.usembassy.gov/visa_waiver_prog.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302015254/http://canberra.usembassy.gov/visa_waiver_prog.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 March 2012|date=2 March 2012|access-date=1 May 2020}}</ref>

In some cases, a visa run is necessary to activate new visas or change the immigration status of a person. An example would be leaving a country and then returning immediately to activate a newly issued work visa before a person can legally work.

=== Exit visas ===
{{See also|Illegal emigration}}

'''Exit visas''' may be required to leave some countries. Many countries limit the ability of individuals to leave in certain circumstances, such as those with outstanding [[legal proceeding]]s or large government debts.<ref name="Hasday2014">{{cite book|author=Jill Elaine Hasday|title=Family Law Reimagined|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hEd9AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA58|date=16 June 2014|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0-674-36985-6|pages=58–}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Robert|first=Stuartt|date=24 October 2019|title=Media release: Child Support and welfare debt |website=servicesaustralia.gov.au |url=https://minister.servicesaustralia.gov.au/media-releases/2019-10-24-child-support-and-welfare-debt-pay-what-you-owe-or-you-risk-being-stopped-travelling-overseas|access-date=9 February 2021|publisher=Australian Government Services}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Essential information for New Zealanders travelling overseas |url=https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/sites/default/files/PAS815%2001-14_Before_you_go_stop_WEB.pdf|access-date=9 February 2021|website=safetravel.govt.nz |publisher=New Zealand Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade}}</ref> Despite this, the term ''exit visa'' is generally limited to countries that systematically restrict departure, where the right to leave is not automatic. Imposing a systematic requirement for exit permission may be seen to [[Human right violations|violate]] the right to [[freedom of movement]], which is found in the [[UDHR]] and forms part of [[customary international law]].<ref>{{cite report|url=https://www.peacepalacelibrary.nl/ebooks/files/GCIM_TP8.pdf|title=The right to leave ones own country under international law|date=September 2005|publisher=Global Commission on International Migration|last1=Harvey|first1=Colin|last2=Barnidge|first2=Robert P. Jr.|language=en|access-date=30 April 2021|archive-date=6 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210406190345/https://www.peacepalacelibrary.nl/ebooks/files/GCIM_TP8.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Countries implementing exit visas vary in who they require to obtain one. Some countries permit the free movement of foreign nationals while restricting their own citizens.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cuba/United States: Families Torn Apart: II. Cuba's Restrictions on Travel|url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/2005/cuba1005/2.htm |access-date=30 April 2021|website=www.hrw.org}}</ref><ref>Rolando García Quiñones, Director del Centro de Estudios Demográficos (CEDEM), Cuba: [http://www.sela.org/public_html/AA2K2/eng/docs/coop/migra/spsmirdi12-02/spsmirdi12-3.htm International Migrations in Cuba: persisting trends and changes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005002547/http://www.sela.org/public_html/AA2K2/eng/docs/coop/migra/spsmirdi12-02/spsmirdi12-3.htm |date=5 October 2006}}</ref> Others may limit the exit visa requirement to resident foreigners in the country on [[work visa]]s, such as in the [[kafala system]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/03/25/saudi-arabia-labor-reforms-insufficient|title=Saudi Arabia: Labor Reforms Insufficient|date=25 March 2021|accessdate=30 April 2021|publisher=Human Rights Watch}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/30/sport/football/football-qatar-world-cup-2022-worker-rights|title=Desert heat: World Cup hosts Qatar face scrutiny over 'slavery' accusations|first=James |last=Montague|work=CNN |date=1 May 2013|access-date=30 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220030530/http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/30/sport/football/football-qatar-world-cup-2022-worker-rights|archive-date=20 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21583291-attempts-improve-lot-migrants-working-middle-east-are-unlikely|title=The Middle East's migrant workers: Forget about rights|newspaper=The Economist|date=10 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=The right to leave a country|publisher=Council of Europe|author=Commissioner for Human Rights|date=October 2013|place=France|language=en |url=https://rm.coe.int/the-right-to-leave-a-country-issue-paper-published-by-the-council-of-e/16806da510}}</ref>

==== Asia ====
Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, [[Oman]], Saudi Arabia, and the [[United Arab Emirates]] all have an exit visa requirement for alien foreign workers. This is part of their ''[[kafala system|kafala]]'' work visa sponsorship system. Consequently, at the end of a foreign worker's employment period, the worker must secure clearance from their employer stating that the worker has satisfactorily fulfilled the terms of their employment contract or that the worker's services are no longer needed. The exit visa can also be withheld if there are pending court charges that need to be settled or penalties that have to be meted out. In September 2018, Qatar lifted the exit visa requirement for most workers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-qatar-rights-visas/qatar-lifts-controversial-exit-visa-system-for-workers-idUSKCN1LK2D1|title=Qatar lifts controversial exit visa system for most workers|work=Reuters|date=4 September 2018}}</ref> Persons are generally free to leave Israel, except for those who are subject to a [[stay of exit]] order.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gad |first1=Ben Zion|title=Man Banned From Leaving Israel For 8,000 Years Over Child Support Payments|url=https://m.jpost.com/israel-news/article-689839 |access-date=3 January 2022|work=The Jerusalem Post |date=27 December 2021}}</ref>

[[Nepal]] requires its citizens emigrating to the United States on an [[H-1B visa]] to present an exit permit issued by the Nepali Ministry of Labour. This document is called a work permit and needs to be presented to Nepali immigration to leave Nepal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dol.gov.np/en|title=Department of Labour and Occupational Safety|website=www.dol.gov.np}}</ref>

[[Uzbekistan]] was the last remaining country of the [[former USSR]] that required an [[Refusenik|exit visa]], which was valid for a two-year period. The practice was abolished in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |website=www.tol.org |url=https://www.tol.org/client/article/28153-uzbekistan-visa-travel-border-couples-hotel.html |title=Uzbekistan Scraps Exit Visas – Transitions Online |access-date=8 January 2019 |archive-date=3 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603142935/https://www.tol.org/client/article/28153-uzbekistan-visa-travel-border-couples-hotel.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> There had been an explicit [[United Nations]] complaint about this practice.<ref name="hrcuz">{{cite web |access-date=29 April 2010|url=http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrc/docs/ngos/BHRRL_Uzbekistan96.pdf |title= NGO REPORT On the implementation of the ICCPR |date= April 2009 }} Freedom of Movement (article 12): "Exit visas and propiska violate not only [[international law]] such as the [[ICCPR]], but also the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan"</ref>

North Korea requires that its citizens obtain an exit visa stating the traveller's destination country and time to be spent abroad before leaving the country.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} Additionally, North Korean authorities also require North Korean citizens to obtain a re-entry visa from a North Korean embassy or North Korean mission abroad before being allowed back into North Korea.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

The government of the People's Republic of China requires its citizens to obtain a [[Taiwan Travel Permit]] issued by the People's Republic of China's authorities with a valid endorsement prior to visiting the [[Republic of China]] if they depart from the mainland (besides Chongqing, Nanchang or Kunming if they leave for the Republic of China for transit<ref>{{cite news |date=6 January 2016 |title=China to allow mainlanders to make transit stops in Taiwan |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/china-to-allow-mainlanders-to-make-transit-stops-in-taiwan-idUSKBN0UJ0QN/ |access-date=26 October 2024 |work=Reuters}}</ref>). The endorsement is a ''de facto'' exit visa for ROC-bound trips for mainland citizens of China.<ref name = "cna">{{cite news |last1=Yu |first1=Hsiao-han |last2=Pan |first2=Hsin-tung |last3=Sunny |first3=Lai |title=China lifts restrictions on Fujian residents traveling to Taiwan-held Matsu |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202408220027 |access-date=26 October 2024 |work=Focus Taiwan – CNA English News |agency=Central News Agency |date=22 August 2024}}</ref>

Singapore operates an Exit Permit scheme in order to enforce the [[National service in Singapore|national service]] obligations of its male citizens and permanent residents.<ref>{{cite act |title= Enlistment Act|type= |number= 25|language= |date= 1970|article= 32|articletype= s.|page= |url=https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/EA1970-RG3?ValidDate=20060801&ProvIds=pr9-}}</ref> Requirements vary according to age and status:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ecitizen.gov.sg/Topics/Pages/National-Service-Exit-permit-requirements.aspx|title= National Service: Exit permit requirements|author= <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|website= ecitizen.gov.sg|access-date= 11 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108045359/http://www.ecitizen.gov.sg/Topics/Pages/National-Service-Exit-permit-requirements.aspx|archive-date= 8 January 2017|url-status= dead}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Status!! Time overseas!! Requirements
|-
| rowspan="2" | Pre-enlistment: 13 – 16.5 years of age ||3+ months ||Exit permit
|-
| 2+ years ||Exit permit + bond
|-
| Pre-enlistment: 16.5 years of age and older ||3+ months ||Registration, exit permit + bond<ref>Amount equal to SGD 75,000 or 50% of the parents' combined annual income (whichever is greater), covered by a banker's guarantee.</ref>
|-
| Full-time National Service ||3+ months ||Exit permit
|-
| rowspan="2" | Operationally-ready National Service ||14+ days ||Overseas notification
|-
| 6+ months ||National service unit approval + exit permit
|-
| rowspan="2" | Regular servicemen ||3+ months ||Exit permit, where Minimum Term of Engagement is not complete
|-
| 6+ months ||Exit permit
|}

Iran, Taiwan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ris.gov.tw/departure/app/|title=內政部役政署役男線上申請短期出境|website=www.ris.gov.tw}}</ref> and South Korea also require male citizens who are older than a certain age but have not fulfilled their military duties to register with local [[Military Manpower Administration]] office before they pursue international travels, studies, business trips, and/or performances. Failure to do so is a felony in those countries and violators would face up to three years of imprisonment.

==== Europe ====
[[image:Soviet exit visa.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Exit visa in a Soviet passport]]
During the [[Fascist Italy (1922–1943)|Fascist period in Italy]], an exit visa was required from 1922 to 1943. [[Nazi Germany]] required exit visas from [[Enabling Act of 1933|1933]] to [[End of World War II in Europe|1945]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761553381/visa.html|title=Encarta.msn.com|access-date=12 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011074951/http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761553381/Visa.html|archive-date=11 October 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Soviet Union]] and its [[Warsaw Pact]] allies required exit visas both for [[Eastern Bloc emigration and defection|emigration]] and for those who wanted to leave the Soviet Union for a shorter period.

Some countries require that an alien who needs a visa on entry be in possession of a valid visa upon exit. To satisfy this formal requirement, exit visas sometimes need to be issued.
[[image:Soviet Exit Visa Forever.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A rare type 2 USSR exit visa. This type of visa was issued to those who received permission to leave the USSR permanently and lost their [[Soviet nationality law|Soviet citizenship]]. Many people who wanted to emigrate were unable to receive this kind of exit visa.]]
Russia requires an exit visa if a visitor stays past the expiration date of their visa. They must then extend their visa or apply for an exit visa and are not allowed to leave the country until they show a valid visa or have a permissible excuse for overstaying their visa (e.g., a note from a doctor or a hospital explaining an illness, missed flight, lost or stolen visa). In some cases, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can issue a return-Home certificate that is valid for ten days from the embassy of the visitor's native country, thus eliminating the need for an exit visa.

A foreign citizen granted a temporary residence permit in Russia needs a temporary resident visa to take a trip abroad (valid for both exit and return). It is also colloquially called an ''exit visa''. Not all foreign citizens are subject to that requirement. Citizens of Germany, for example, do not require this exit visa.

In March 2021, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the United Kingdom required everyone leaving England to fill out an exit form detailing their address, passport number, destination, and reason to travel.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/declaration-travel-government-exit-permit-b1813070.html|title=Declaration to Travel: Government Reveals New 'Exit' Permit Required to Leave England|website=[[Independent.co.uk]]|date=10 March 2021}}</ref> Permitted reasons to travel included for work or volunteering, education, medical or compassionate reasons such as weddings and funerals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-abroad-from-england-during-coronavirus-covid-19|title=Travel abroad from England during coronavirus (COVID-19)|website=GOV.UK|date=5 April 2023 }}</ref> Travellers may have been required to carry evidence to support their reason to travel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bookonboard.com/covid-19-travel-restrictions-updates-2021/|title=COVID-19 Travel Restrictions: Standard Documentation Requirements|work=Bookonboard |date=23 July 2021}}</ref>

==== Americas ====
Cuba dropped its exit visa requirement in January 2013.<ref>{{Citation |last=Human Rights Watch |title=World Report 2014: Cuba |date=17 December 2013 |url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2014/country-chapters/cuba |work=English |access-date=1 August 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

Guatemala requires any foreigner who is a permanent resident to apply for a multiple 5-year exit visa.

===== United States =====
The [[United States|United States of America]] does not require exit visas. Since 1 October 2007, however, the U.S. government requires all foreign and U.S. nationals departing the United States by air to hold a valid passport (or certain specific passport-replacing documents). Even though travellers might not require a passport to enter a certain country, they will require a valid passport booklet (booklet only, U.S. Passport Card not accepted) to depart the United States in order to satisfy the U.S. immigration authorities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iata.org/publications/timatic/Documents/using_timatic_v3.pdf|title=Page 7 of IATA document accessed 5 December 2015 at|access-date=5 December 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051323/https://www.iata.org/publications/timatic/Documents/using_timatic_v3.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Exemptions to this requirement to hold a valid passport include:

* U.S. Permanent Resident/Resident Alien Card (Form I-551);
* U.S. Military ID Cards when travelling on official orders;
* U.S. Merchant Mariner Card;
* [[NEXUS|NEXUS Card]];
* U.S. travel document:
**Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571); or
** Permit to Re-Enter (Form I-327)
* Emergency Travel Document (e.g. Consular Letter) issued by a foreign embassy or consulate specifically for the purpose of travel to the bearer's home country.
* Nationals of Mexico holding one of the following documents:
** (expired) "Matricula Consular"; or
** Birth certificate with consular registration; or
** Certificate of Nationality issued by a Mexican consulate abroad; or
** Certificate of Military Duty ({{lang|es|Cartilla Militar}}); or
** Voter's Certificate ({{lang|es|Credencial IFE}} or {{lang|es|Credencial para Votar}}).

In addition, [[Permanent residence (United States)|green card]] holders and certain other aliens must obtain a certificate of compliance (also known as a "sailing permit" or "departure permit") from the [[Internal Revenue Service]] proving that they are up-to-date with their US income tax obligations before they may leave the country.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p519.pdf|title= Publication 519: U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens|chapter= 11. Departing Aliens and the Sailing or Departure Permit|pages=50–52|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= 2015|publisher= [[Internal Revenue Service]]}}</ref> While the requirement has been in effect since 1921, it has not been stringently enforced, but in 2014 the [[House Ways and Means Committee]] considered beginning to enforce the requirement as a way to increase tax revenues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grantthornton.com/issues/library/newsletters/tax/2014/CBB/October/IRS-focus-on-sailing-permits|title= IRS may step up focus on 'sailing permits'|author= <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date= 23 October 2014|publisher= [[Grant Thornton]]|access-date= 7 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108133831/https://www.grantthornton.com/issues/library/newsletters/tax/2014/CBB/October/IRS-focus-on-sailing-permits|archive-date= 8 November 2016|url-status= dead}}</ref>

==== Australia ====
Australia, citing COVID-19 concerns, in 2020 banned outward travel by both Australian citizens and permanent residents, unless they requested and were granted an exemption. In August 2021 this ban was extended to people who are ordinarily resident in countries other than Australia as well. Exceptions apply to business travel and travel for "compelling reasons" for three months or longer, among others.<ref>{{cite web|title=Leaving Australia {{!}} COVID-19 and the border|url=https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/leaving-australia|access-date=13 August 2021|website=covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au|archive-date=11 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311122128/https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/leaving-australia|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=McAdam AO|first1=Jane|author-link=Jane McAdam|last2=Hicks|first2=Liz|last3=Jefferies|first3=Regina|title=The federal government just made it even harder for Australians overseas to come home. Is this legal? Or reasonable?|website=The Conversation |date=9 August 2021 |url=http://theconversation.com/the-federal-government-just-made-it-even-harder-for-australians-overseas-to-come-home-is-this-legal-or-reasonable-165744|access-date=13 August 2021|language=en}}</ref>

On 1 November 2021, after 20 months, the exit permit system was scrapped and [[New South Wales]] and [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] officially re-opened their borders in addition to ending quarantine requirements on arrival for fully vaccinated individuals. However, on 27 November 2021, 72-hour quarantine requirements were reinstated over concerns about the [[SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant]].

=== Visa refusal ===
In general, an applicant may be refused a visa if they do not meet the requirements for admission or entry under that country's immigration laws. More specifically, a visa may be denied or refused when the applicant:
* has committed fraud, deception, or misrepresentation in his or her current application as well as in a previous application
* has obtained a criminal record, has been arrested, or has criminal charges pending
* is considered to be a threat to national security
* does not have a good moral character
* has previous visa/immigration violations (even if the violations did not happen in the country the applicant is seeking a visa for)
* had their previous visa application(s) or application for immigration benefits refused and cannot prove that the reasons for the previous refusals no longer exist or are not applicable any more (even if the refusals did not previously happen in the country the applicant is seeking a visa for)
* cannot prove to have strong ties to their current country of nationality or residence (for those who are applying for temporary or non-immigrant visas)
* intends to reside or work permanently in the country she/he will visit if not applying for an immigrant or work visa respectively
* fails to demonstrate intent to return (for non-immigrants)
* fails to provide sufficient evidence/documents to prove eligibility for the visa sought after
* does not have a legitimate reason for the journey
* does not have adequate means of financial support for themselves or family
* does not have adequate medical insurance, especially if engaging in high risk activities (e.g. rock climbing, skiing, etc.)
* does not have travel arrangements (i.e. transport and lodging) in the destination country
* does not have health/travel insurance valid for the destination and the duration of stay
* is a citizen of a country to which the destination country is hostile or at war with
* has previously visited, or intends to visit, a country to which the destination country is hostile
* has a communicable disease, such as [[tuberculosis]] or [[ebola]], or a [[sexually transmitted disease]]
* has a passport that expires too soon

Even if a traveller does not need a visa, the aforementioned criteria can also be used by border control officials to refuse the traveller's entry into the country in question.

== Types ==
[[Image:Tourist visa of the People's Republic of China.jpg|thumb|Tourist entry visa to the [[People's Republic of China]]]]
[[Image:Transit visa.jpg|thumb|Transit visa, issued by Japanese Consul [[Chiune Sugihara]] in Lithuania to Susan Bluman in World War II]]
[[File:Visum - Ryssland-1992.jpg|thumb|Press visa to [[Kaliningrad]] 1992]]
Each country typically has a multitude of categories of visas with various names. The most common types and names of visas include:

=== Non-immigrant visas===
==== Transit visas ====
For passing through the country of issue to a destination outside that country. Validity of transit visas are usually limited by short terms such as several hours to ten days depending on the size of the country or the circumstances of a particular transit itinerary.
* '''{{va|Airside transit visa}}''', required by some countries for passing through their airports even without going through passport control.
* '''{{va|Crew member, steward, or driver visa}}''', issued to persons employed or trained on aircraft, vessels, trains, trucks, buses, and any other means of international transportation, or ships fishing in international waters.

==== Short-stay or visitor visas ====
For short visits to the visited country. Many countries differentiate between different reasons for these visits, such as:
* '''{{va|Private visa}}''', for private visits by invitation from residents of the visited country.
* '''{{va|Tourist visa}}''', for a limited period of leisure travel, no business activities allowed.
* '''{{va|Medical visa}}''', for undertaking diagnostics or a course of treatment in the visited country's hospitals or other medical facilities.
* '''{{va|Business visa}}''', for engaging in commerce in the country. These visas generally preclude [[permanent employment]], for which a [[work visa]] would be required.
* '''[[Working holiday visa]]''', for individuals travelling between nations offering a working holiday program, allowing young people to undertake temporary work while travelling.
* '''{{va|Athletic or artistic visa}}''', issued to athletes and performing artists (and their supporting staff) performing at competitions, concerts, shows, and other events.
** '''{{va|Cultural exchange visa}}''', usually issued to athletes and performing artists participating in a cultural exchange program.
* '''{{va|Refugee visa}}''', issued to persons fleeing the dangers of persecution, a war or a natural disaster.
* '''{{va|Pilgrimage visa}}''': this type of visa is mainly issued to those intending to visit religious destinations and/or to take part in particular religious ceremonies. Such visas can usually be obtained relatively quickly and at a low cost; those using them are usually permitted to travel only as a group, however. The most well-known example is [[Saudi Arabia]]'s [[Visa policy of Saudi Arabia|Hajj visa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/|title=Ministry of foreign affairs of Saudi Arabia – Pilgrimage visa}}</ref>

==== Long-stay visas ====
Visas valid for long term stays of a specific duration include:
* '''{{va|Student visa}}''' ([[F visa|F-1]] in the United States), which allows its holder to study at an institution of higher learning in the issuing country. The F-2 visa allows the student's dependents to accompany them in the United States.
** '''{{va|Research visa}}''', for students doing [[fieldwork]] in the host country.
* '''{{va|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 visa|H-1B]] and [[L-1 visa]]s. Depending on a particular country, the status of temporary worker may or may not evolve into the status of permanent resident or to naturalization.
** '''{{va|Journalist visa}}''', which some countries require of people in that occupation when travelling for their respective news organizations. Countries that insist on this include [[Visa policy of Cuba|Cuba]], [[Visa policy of China|China]], [[Visa policy of Iran|Iran]], [[Visa policy of Japan|Japan]], [[Visa policy of North Korea|North Korea]], [[Visa policy of Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabia]], the [[Visa policy of the United States#I visa|United States]] (I-visa), and [[Visa policy of Zimbabwe|Zimbabwe]].
* '''{{va|Residence visa}}''', granted to people obtaining long-term residence in the host country. In some countries, such as New Zealand, long-term residence is a necessary step to obtain the status of a permanent resident.
* '''{{va|Asylum visa}}''', issued to people who have suffered or reasonably fear persecution in their own country due to their political activities or opinion, or features, or association with a social group; or were exiled from their own country.
* '''{{va|Dependent visa}}''', issued to certain family members of holder of a long-stay visa of certain other types (e.g., to spouse and children of a qualified employee holding a temporary worker visa).
* '''{{va|Self-employment visa}}''', for self-employed people or entrepreneurs; see [[self-employment visa]] for more information.
* '''{{va|Digital nomad visa}}''', for [[digital nomad]]s who want to temporarily reside in a country while performing remote work. Thailand launched its SMART Visa, targeted at high expertise foreigners and entrepreneurs to stay a longer time in Thailand, with online applications for the visa being planned for late 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movingnomads.com/blog/thailand-4-year-smart-visa-arrives-next-month-few-digital-nomads-should-be-covered/|title=Thailand 4-Year Smart Visa arrives next month- Few Digital Nomads should be covered – Moving Nomads|website=movingnomads.com|date=28 December 2017 |language=en|access-date=1 March 2018}}</ref> [[Estonia]] has also announced plans for a digital nomad visa, after the launch of its [[E-Residency of Estonia|e-Residency]] program.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.enterprisetimes.co.uk/2018/02/27/estonia-plans-digital-nomad-visa/|title=Estonia plans its Digital Nomad Visa – Enterprise Times|date=27 February 2018|work=Enterprise Times|access-date=1 March 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref>
* '''{{va|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.

==== Official visas ====
These are granted to officials doing jobs for their governments, or otherwise representing their countries in the host country, such as the personnel of diplomatic missions.
* A '''{{va|Diplomatic visa|text=diplomatic visa}}''' in combination with a regular or diplomatic passport.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/other-visa-categories/visas-diplomats.html |title=Visas for Diplomats and Foreign Government Officials |publisher=travel.state.gov |access-date=11 July 2020}}</ref>
* A '''{{va|Courtesy visa|text=courtesy visa}}''' is issued to representatives of foreign governments or international organizations who do not qualify for [[diplomat]]ic status but do merit expedited, courteous treatment – an example of this is [[Australia]]'s [[special purpose visa]].

=== Immigrant visas ===
{{For|codes and designations|Visa policy of the United States#Immigrant visas}}

Granted for those intending to settle permanently in the issuing country (obtain the status of a permanent resident with a prospect of possible naturalization in the future):
* '''{{va|Spouse visa}}''' or '''{{va|Partner visa|text=partner visa}}''', granted to the [[spouse]], [[civil partner]] or de facto partner of a resident or citizen of a given country to enable the couple to settle in that country.
* '''{{va|Family member visa}}''', for other members of the family of a resident or citizen of a given country. Usually, only the closest ones are covered:
** Parents, often restricted to helpless ones, i.e. those who, due to their elderly age or state of health, need supervision and care;
** Children (including [[adoption|adopted]] ones), often restricted to those who have not reached the [[coming of age|age of maturity]] or helpless ones;
** Often also extended to grandchildren or grandparents, where their immediate parents or children, respectively, are for whichever reason unable to take care of them;
** Often also extended to helpless [[sibling]]s.
* '''{{va|Marriage visa}}''', granted for a limited period before intended marriage or conclusion of a civil partnership based on a proven relationship with a citizen of the destination country. For example, a German woman wishing to marry an American man would obtain a Fiancée Visa (also known as a [[K-1 visa]]) to allow her to enter the United States. A K1 Fiancée Visa is valid for four months from the date of its approval.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration/immigrant-visa-for-a-spouse-or-fiance-of-a-us-citizen.html|title=Immigrant Visa for a Spouse or Fiancé(e) of a U.S. Citizen|website=travel.state.gov|access-date=27 January 2019}}</ref>

== Visa openness ==
=== Henley Passport Index ===
{{transcluded section|Henley Passport Index}}
{{#section-h::Henley Passport Index|Definition of the Index}}{{excerpt|Henley Passport Index|2024 Henley Passport Index|only=paragraphs|hat=no}}

=== World Tourism Organization ===
The [[World Tourism Organization]] (UNWTO) of the United Nations has issued various ''Visa Openness Report''s.
<!--Remark out the whole PR spiel and table until both can be verified by reliable sources:
concluded that the countries whose citizens were least affected by visa restrictions in 2020 were (based on the data compiled by the UNWTO, based on information from national official institutions):<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.passportindex.org/byRank.php|title=Global Passport Power Rank 2021 &#124; Passport Index 2021|website=Passport Index – Global Mobility Intelligence}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=April 2021|reason=Link is to the Arton ranking – a commercial site – and for 2021, not 2020 and does not mention the Visa Openness Report by the World Tourism Organization! }}

{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
|-
|+ Least restricted citizens
! Rank
! Country
! Mobility index (out of 215 with no visa weighted by 1, visa on arrival weighted by 0.7, eVisa by 0.5 and traditional visa weighted by 0)
|-
| 1
| {{Flagg|unc|United Arab Emirates}}
| 178
|-
| 2
| {{Flagg|unc|Finland}}, {{flagg|unc|Germany}}, {{flagg|unc|Luxembourg}}, {{flagg|unc|Spain}}
| 171
|-
| 3
| {{flagg|unc|Austria}}, {{flagg|unc|Denmark}},
{{flagg|unc|Ireland}},
{{flagg|unc|Netherlands}},
{{flagg|unc|Portugal}},
{{flagg|unc|South Korea}},
{{flagg|unc|Switzerland}},
{{flagg|unc|United States}}
| 170
|-
| 4
| {{flagg|unc|Belgium}}, {{flagg|unc|France}}, {{flagg|unc|Greece}},
{{flagg|unc|Italy}},
{{flagg|unc|Japan}},
{{flagg|unc|Malta}},
{{flagg|unc|Norway}},
{{flagg|unc|Singapore}},
{{flagg|unc|Sweden}}
| 169
|-
| 5
| {{flagg|unc|Canada}}, {{flagg|unc|Czech Republic}},
{{flagg|unc|Hungary}},
{{flagg|unc|Lithuania}},
{{flagg|unc|New Zealand}},
{{flagg|unc|Poland}},
{{flagg|unc|Slovakia}},
{{flagg|unc|United Kingdom}}
| 168
|} -->

== Non-visa restrictions ==
{{Transcluded section|Non-visa travel restrictions}}{{#section-h::Non-visa travel restrictions|List of common non-visa travel restrictions}}

== See also ==
* [[Vienna Convention on Consular Relations]]
* [[Visa fraud]]
* [[Electronic Travel Authority (Australia)|Electronic Travel Authority]] (Australia)
* [[Electronic System for Travel Authorization]] (US)
* [[Entry certificate]]
* [[List of citizenships refused entry to foreign states]]
* [[Non-visa travel restrictions]]
* [[Travel document]]
* [[Van Der Elst visa]]
* [[Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students]] (Australia)

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== Further reading ==
* [[United States Department of State]], [https://web.archive.org/web/20100712043130/http://travel.state.gov/visa/statistics/statistics_1476.html "Report of the Visa Office"], Visa Office, Immigrant Visa Control and Reporting Division
* United States Department of State, [https://web.archive.org/web/20131102081406/http://travel.state.gov/visa/statistics/nivstats/nivstats_4582.html Nonimmigrant Visa Statistics]

== External links ==
{{Wiktionary}}
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{{commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Visa}}

{{Visa Requirements}}
{{Visa policy by country}}
{{Electronic travel authorizations for visa-exempt visitors}}
{{Commercial air travel}}
{{Tourism}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Visas| ]]
[[Category:Human migration]]