visa

Visa commonly refers to two related but distinct concepts. In travel and immigration, a visa is an official endorsement on a passport or a linked electronic record that authorizes a person to enter, stay, or transit a country for a defined period and purpose. In commerce, Visa refers to Visa Inc., a multinational payments company that operates a global electronic fund-transfer network for card-based payments.

Travel visas are issued by the destination country's government, usually through consulates or embassies. Some countries offer online visas (e-Visas) or visa on arrival. Common visa types include tourism, business, study, work, and transit; diplomatic and official visas exist as well. Visa validity and entry rights vary; many visas allow single or multiple entries and durations from a few days to several years. Applicants typically supply a passport valid for a set period, photographs, proof of funds, travel itineraries, and sometimes an invitation or sponsorship letter. Processing times and fees differ by country. Some states offer visa-free travel for short visits under bilateral agreements.

Visa Inc. operates the payment network that processes most non-cash card transactions worldwide. It does not issue loans or deposits but provides authorization, clearing, settlement, and risk-management services to banks, merchants, and cardholders. The company originated as BankAmericard in 1958 (later renamed Visa) and is headquartered in San Francisco. It is one of the largest payment networks, competing with Mastercard and others, and is subject to financial regulation in many jurisdictions.

Visa policy and practice influence international travel, trade, and security, balancing access with border control and risk assessment.