visa

American  

[vee-zuh] / ˈvi zə /

noun

PLURAL

visas

1. an endorsement issued by an authorized representative of a country and marked in a passport, permitting the passport holder to enter, travel through, or reside in that country for a specified amount of time, for the purpose of tourism, education, employment, etc.

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verb (used with object)

visaed, visaing

1. to give a visa to; approve a visa for.

2. to put a visa on (a passport).

visa British  

/ ˈviːzə /

noun

1. an endorsement in a passport or similar document, signifying that the document is in order and permitting its bearer to travel into or through the country of the government issuing it

2. any sign or signature of approval

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verb

1. to enter a visa into (a passport)

2. to endorse or ratify

Etymology

Origin of visa

1830–40; < French, short for Latin carta vīsa “the document (has been) seen”; vīsa, feminine past participle of vidēre “to see, look at”

Example Sentences

People escaping the civil war in Sudan now need visas to enter Egypt, or run the risk of deportation.

From The Wall Street Journal

US government officials have since suspended visas for all Afghan nationals and frozen decisions in all asylum cases.

From Barron's

A woman on a tourist visa working illegally to earn enough to hold her over when she returns to Mexico — until the next harvest brings her north again.

From Los Angeles Times

According to the Tehran Times, the US has issued four visas to Iran's delegation, but they do not include one for Mehdi Taj, the president of the country's football federation.

From BBC

Make sure you meet the requirements for a permanent visa.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• acceptance
• admission
• affirmation
• approval
• authorization
• consent
• corroboration
• endorsement
• evidence
• green light
• passage
• recognition
• testimony
• verification