visa

n. countable

B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈvizə// UK //vˈiːzɐ// visa

Archaic General-service

n. an official mark or document in your passport that allows you to enter, stay in, or leave a specific country. You usually need to apply for one before you travel.

n. an endorsement on a passport or a separate document indicating that the holder is allowed to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in a country.

SIMPLE

You need a valid visa to visit this country.

CONTEXTUAL

She spent three weeks gathering the necessary paperwork to apply for a student visa at the local embassy.

COMPLEX

While some nations offer visa-free entry for short-term tourism, most require a formal application process involving background checks and proof of financial stability for longer stays.

Origin

From 1831, "official signature or endorsement on a passport," from French visa, from Latin charta vīsa (“paper that has been seen”) from feminine perfect passive of Latin vidēre (“to see”). Compare vision, video, vista.

Usage

Often used with verbs like 'apply for', 'grant', 'issue', or 'expire'.