visa

The word “visa” means an official permit allowing someone to enter, stay in, or leave a country. In plain terms, official permission (usually a stamp or document) to enter or leave a country.

“Visa” is pronounced VEE-zuh (/ˈviːzə/ in IPA).

Here is “visa” used in a sentence: “She had to apply for a work visa before she could start her job abroad.”

Depending on how it is used, “visa” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “visa” comes from Latin. From French visa, from Latin charta visa, "paper that has been seen" — from videre, "to see." Related to vision and video.

“Visa” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Visa” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an official permit allowing someone to enter, stay in, or leave a country.

A passport is an official document issued by your own country that proves your identity and nationality, while a visa is a permit — often stamped or endorsed inside that passport — that allows you to enter, stay in, or leave another country. You generally need a passport before a visa can be granted.

A visa is an official permit allowing someone to enter, stay in, or leave a country, usually for a defined purpose and period. A green card grants the right to live in a country permanently, so it is far more lasting than most visas, which are typically temporary.

As a verb, to visa a document means to stamp or officially endorse a passport or paper. This usage is formal and much rarer than the noun, which refers to the travel permit itself.

A visa usually authorises entry into a country and a stay of limited duration, while a residence permit grants the longer-term right to live there. Some countries issue a visa for the initial entry and a separate residence permit for an extended stay.