Everyone loves to travel whether it is locally or internationally. It is a great way to expand your world and learn more about how diverse we are as a human race, but there are necessary documents you need to do this. A passport and a visa are among those documents. So what are the differences?
Both documents allow you to travel internationally, but there are many differences. The rules around each form of identification and how long you can stay within another country is what sets these two apart.
You will find which one best fits your needs and purpose when travelling as each will provide you access to another country in a different way. Here is everything you need to know about these two documents and what you can do with them.
What Is A Visa?
So what is a visa? A visa is a travel document that is issued by the country the traveler would like to enter. The visa will allow anyone who has it to enter a foreign country. You can remain within this country depending on your status and the period of time the visa has outlined.
Sometimes a visa doesn’t always mean you will be granted access to the country once you arrive. It just means you are eligible. They can deny you entry or deport you at any time when the country sees fit. For example, if you do illegal activity or break the agreements of your visa.
There are many reasons you can get a visa. Here are the main reasons people get visas:
- To work
- School or higher education
- Family
- Vacation or tourism
- Business
- To immigrate and become a citizen
Those who get a visa often are staying in a foreign country longer than if they were to simply use a passport. It is almost like you are renting your citizenship in that country for a period of time.
What Is A Passport?
A passport is another official ID you receive from your country of citizenship. It is required to travel internationally and you normally cannot get back into your country of citizenship without it. There are ways to get back into your country, but they often are a headache and very difficult.
Your passport will contain a lot of key information about you to make it easier to identify you. This information includes:
- Full name
- Nationality
- Date of birth
- Up-to-date picture
- Stamps of other countries you have visited
A passport has both a unique identification code and an electronic chip that contains your biometric information. This ensures that the person holding your passport is you and not someone trying to impersonate you.
Why Do You Need A Visa To Travel?
You don’t always need a visa when you travel internationally, but it is needed when you find yourself staying in places for longer periods. You don’t always need a visa when traveling, and it may depend on the country you are traveling to.
There are rules for different countries, and so you will need to learn if you need a visa or not. Visas allow you temporary residence in that foreign country, and if you plan on staying there for work, school, or to become a citizen, you will need to obtain a visa.
Some countries make it a requirement to get a visa to enter their territories. It is always best to do some research before traveling anywhere so you have all the necessary documents. They will deport you if you don’t have these with you.
Do You Need A Passport If You Have A Visa?
Although you don’t always need a visa to travel to a foreign country, you need a passport. A passport is required to get a visa, so you won’t be able to obtain a visa without this form of ID.
There is no way around this requirement because a passport allows you to enter and leave your country while a visa allows you to stay within a foreign country. The visa is also placed within your passport, and so it is necessary to have this document to get a visa.
Who Needs A Visa?
Not every person traveling internationally needs a visa, but many countries require a visa depending on your stay. Other countries require a visa as well as a passport, so it all depends on your destination.
If you are unsure if you need a visa, you can search the internet or visit CIBT visas to see if the country you are visiting requires a visa. Many countries require a visa, and many don’t.
You will find that many countries don’t require a visa if you are just visiting for a short period of time, usually less than 90 days. If you are going for a vacation or a quick trip, you may not need a visa, but if you plan to stay for a long period, you will most likely need a visa.
There are two types of visas you can choose from business and tourist. Ensure that you are looking at the correct type of visa when doing your research. The rules may be different for one type of visa than it is for the other.
The visa that you do acquire will require that you do that specific thing. If you get a visa for studying, then you need to continue to be a student there. At any time, if you are in the country but aren’t doing the specific thing you said you were doing, you can be deported.
How Do I Get A Visa?
Getting a visa isn’t a difficult procedure, but it can be a little bit of a long one. Don’t expect to apply for your visa and get it the next day. You will need patience and realize that you may need a day to go to the correct offices to provide proper documentation.
This process can take anywhere from two weeks to two months, so don’t wait until the last minute to get your visa. You will want to plan months in advance to have all your documentation done and have completed all the necessary research.
First things first, you will need to get yourself a passport if you haven’t already done so. A visa will go into your passport, and so it is imperative to have one or at least begin the process to get one. Then you can begin the steps to get a visa for the country you are visiting:
- Find the visa application form online for that specific country.
- Either fill the form out online or print it out and fill it in.
- Gather all the documents you need.
- Copy your passport’s data page and photo page.
- Make copies of important documents to be sent.
- Get a check or money order for the amount of the visa.
- Send the documentation via mail or visit the countries consulate within your country.
- Wait for their approval.
- Receive the visa in the mail.
- Attach the visa to your passport.
You will need to ensure that you have proper documentation sent to the country for which you are getting a visa. This all depends on why you are visiting that country. If you are going to be a student there, you will need to show proof of enrollment.
Just like getting your passport, you will need to provide some form of ID so that they know it is you getting the visa. Most visas require that you send a copy of your passport. This is why you must get your passport first before anything.
Always do your research on the visa you are applying for. Usually, they will have all the information on the application page, but you never know. You don’t want to go through the entire process and get rejected because you forgot to send one copy of a document. Then you will have to wait weeks and even months to get approved again.
How Can I Get A Visa Expedited? (iVisa)
Expediting a visa can be a little bit of a hassle and may not shorten the process by too much. Each country has its procedure, but there are ways to make the application process go a little faster.
For the United States, you can schedule an appointment with a consulate as soon as possible under an “emergency request” so that you can explain your situation and why you need to get a visa expedited. You will submit a form before you even do this interview.
You will then submit an “expedited request form” detailing your reason for the urgent need to travel. This could be for medical reasons or other reasons. If it is a medical reason, you may want to get a letter from a hospital that will be treating you to show evidence of that urgency.
The consulate will then think about the decision for a few days. They usually will tell you in about two business days via email what the outcome of your request was. While you are waiting, it may be best to start the process of a regular visa just in case.
Once approved, you will need to log back into the account that you submitted the request. Here you will reschedule the previous appointment you had made to an earlier time. More appointments will be available since you were approved.
After making this new appointment, don’t forget to cancel the old appointment. You will also need to print off your confirmation page so that you can bring it to your interview. This will make the process so much easier when you get to the offices.
Do a little research on what questions may be asked during your interview and what will be necessary to bring. You will need the same documents that you need for a regular visa. Bring your passport as well.
You want to be as prepared as possible so that there are no hiccups during this process. You don’t want to prolong the procedure that you are trying so hard to expedite. You may have to reschedule the interview if you don’t have all the right paperwork.
Dive more into detail guide helping you through steps to expedite a visa.
Outro
Visas and passports are both important when you are traveling outside of your country. You will want to do your research about the country you are visiting so you know if you need a visa or not. You don’t want to show up with just a passport, and the country requires a visa.
If you’re preparing for your Visa Global Entry interview, our comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to succeed and breeze through the process.