visa

Certificate issued or a stamp marked (on the applicant's passport) by the immigration authorities of a country to indicate that the applicant's credentials have been verified and he or she has been granted permission to enter the country for a temporary stay within a specified period. This permission, however, is provisional and subject to the approval of the immigration officer at the entry point. The common types of visas include: (1) Single entry visa: valid only for one visit. (2) Multiple entry visa: allows any number of visits within its validity period. (3) Business visa: for a short visit to conduct discussions, negotiations, and/or presentations, but not to take up employment. (4) Tourist visa: allows freedom to move around the country and briefly cross its frontiers to another country and return. (5) Residence visa: allows an extended stay but does not grant permission to take up employment. (6) Work visa: gives the permission to stay and take up employment, for a specific job and only for a limited period. Called also work permit. (7) Electronic visa: permission recorded in a computer instead of being issued as a certificate or stamp.