VISA – what and why – who needs a VISA in India?

What is a VISA ?

Visitor’s Intention to Stay Abroad, commonly dubbed as VISA is a travel document issued by a host country in which a foreigner intends to stay or visit. It can be simply called as a permit document to enter a foreign country. It is traditionally applied for in the nearest Embassy/ High Commission/ Consulate, etc. of that country where she/he intends to travel. With the advent of the Internet and due to the evolution of Immigration policies worldwide, kinds such as Electronic VISA, VISA ON ARRIVAL, etc. others came into vogue.

Whenever a person applies for a VISA of a foreign country, there are various considerations such as the nationality of the applicant, the purpose for which it is applied for, the perceived credibility of the applicant himself, etc. Moreover, all countries of the world follow a differential policy of Immigration or VISA requirements for different countries (their citizens) considering various factors such as the nature of the relationship with a country, cultural and historic ties, diplomatic considerations, emergent conditions, tourism policy, etc.

A VISA document mainly consists

1. Basic details of the traveler – Name, Photograph, Passport number, Country to which she/he belongs

2. VISA number (mostly alpha numeric)

3. Type [Purpose for which the VISA is intended for, for e.g. Tourist (T), Business (B) etc]

4. Issue and expiry dates.

5. Number of entries or visits permitted.

6. Duration permitted per visit, per year and such other details according to the VISA type.

Other details may include Machine-readable zone, Date of Birth, Sex, Registration requirement if any, and any other endorsements, details as required depending on the purpose of the visit proposed.

Does everyone need a VISA? Common but confusing VISA terminology

FREE/GRATIS VISA: This is not a VISA exception but it is provided to the foreigner free of charge depending upon the nationality of the foreigner (Depending upon the relationship and agreements between those countries)

VISA Free Regime: This is different from the above category. Here the foreigner doesn’t need a VISA to travel in the host country. However, an Identity card or Passport may be required to prove the nationality of the foreigner. Examples: USA and Canada, India and Nepal, India and Bhutan, etc.

VISA on Arrival: This also is not a VISA exemption. A foreigner depending on her/his nationality and the purpose of the visit gets a VISA after arriving in the host country. However, a Passport is mandatory with the specified validity. For example, Japanese citizens who are not of Pakistan Origin and traveling for Tourist, Business purposes are provided this facility at the designated Immigration Check Posts. Read more on VISA on arrival in India

Temporary Landing Permits: Provided to foreigners arriving in a host country without a VISA (whereas her/his nationality requires one). Landing permits are provided only is extreme and emergent conditions (death in the family, medical Emergencies, emergency landings, etc). They are also provided to crew members of flights subject to different conditions. Read more about landing Permits in India.