To be allowed to stay in a foreign country, one must acquire a visa, which is a legal requirement for entering and residing in most countries.
A visa is a permit issued by a government that allows foreign nationals to live in, enter or work in that country for a specific purpose and duration.
Every country has different types of visa, which are mostly dependent on the traveller's purpose.
Common Types of Visas
Tourist Visas are mostly issued to an individual who travels to visit family and friends, for leisure or just wants to visit the country for tourism purposes.
With this visa type, travellers are not allowed to work in the country.
Business Visa is mostly used by foreigners for attending conferences and meetings abroad, and does not permit employment.
International students admitted to foreign schools, universities or colleges are issued with a Student Visa. However, it is prudent to note that this visa allows students to work part-time.
Work Visa, on the other hand, allows foreigners to secure employment in another country. However, conditions vary depending on the type of job and the host country's regulations.
Transit visas are issued to travellers passing through one country en route to another.
Also Read: U.S. to Require In-Person Interviews for Most Visa Applicants
Governments also issue Medical Visas to foreigners who are sick and need to enter another country to seek medical treatment.
US Family Preference Visas
In the United States, foreigners moving to the country are also issued with a different type of visa, which is mainly given to citizens and green card holders to support their relatives who are living there permanently. These visas include the F1, F2A, F2B, F3 and F4.
The F1 visa is primarily intended for unmarried individuals aged 21 years or over who are related to US citizens, as well as their dependants while the F2A visa is issued to spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age, primarily to green card holders.
F2B visa is issued to unmarried individuals aged 21 or over who are lawful permanent residents. An F3 visa on the other hand is usually issued to married US citizens and their spouse and children under 21.
The US also issues F4 visas to siblings of US citizens, primarily if the citizen is at least 21 years old.
