Buzz
I. What is a Visa?
1. Visa Definition
Visa, translated into Vietnamese, means 'thị thực.' However, when dealing with embassies, they commonly use the term Visa instead of 'thị thực.'
A Visa is an official document issued by the embassy or consulate of a country. Once issued, it grants the holder permission to enter and exit that country for a specified number of times and duration. For example, if you apply for a US Visa, the US embassy or consulate will issue it, allowing you to visit the US for business or tourism purposes.
If a passport is a necessary condition, then a Visa is considered a sufficient condition for you to be allowed to enter and exit a country. In addition to a Visa, you may hold documents such as an APEC card and a travel permit.
2. Travel Permit
A travel permit is a type of document issued by the competent authority of a country to citizens of another country. Therefore, you can use that travel permit to enter and exit the country that issued it.
Depending on each country, a travel permit may have different names, but they serve the same purpose. Most of these travel permits are issued to citizens of neighboring countries, residents living near the border, or based on conditional visa exemption policies.
3. APEC Card
APEC Card
The APEC Card (short for ABTC, full name Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Card) is a card for businessmen within APEC member countries. Businessmen holding the APEC Card can travel to and from APEC countries for 5 years without needing to apply for a Visa.
II. Why is it necessary to apply for a Visa?
Starting from the migrant crisis in Europe in 2016, which resulted in serious consequences. This illegal migration has become a headache for developed countries. People from developing countries migrate to developed countries for work because developed countries have higher incomes, sometimes several times higher. Additionally, political instability in many countries further exacerbates the migration crisis.
In addition to crossing borders illegally, they also choose the solution of applying for tourist, work, or business Visas for safer entry into developed countries. Therefore, Visa approval has become much stricter.
Essentially, applying for a Visa allows embassies to assess whether the applicant's stated purpose matches the information provided in the Visa application. Based on this assessment, Visas may be approved or denied.
IV. How to Obtain a Visa
Depending on each country, there are specific Visa issuance policies. The methods for obtaining a Visa are as follows:
- Visa Exemption: Some countries have implemented Visa exemption policies for citizens residing in Vietnam with a specified duration of stay. In this case, you do not need to apply for a Visa for tourism or business purposes, you only need a passport for entry and exit. However, you should ensure that the information on the Visa application is accurate to avoid unnecessary mistakes.
- Landing Visa: Visa issuance procedures are carried out directly at the port of entry. Therefore, you can apply for a Visa at the embassy, consulate, or at the port of entry.
- Visa on Arrival: For countries that offer Visa on Arrival, you do not need to apply for a Visa in advance. You can simply go through the Visa issuance process at the airport.
- Online Visa: You can apply for Visa procedures online. Currently, Canada is a country that approves online Visa applications, and all procedures are conducted through the Internet.
- Direct Visa Issuance at Consulates or Embassies: Most countries follow this procedure. If you want to go anywhere, you just need to visit the embassy or consulate of that country and apply for a Visa.
- Some countries require the use of intermediary consulting companies to handle and deliver Visa application results.
