Introduction
Travelling has become a passion. We look forward to getting away for a weekend with our loved ones. We plan everything. We buy new clothes, essentials, trekking gear, and much more. What’s most important if you are travelling internationally is a passport and visa! We can’t even imagine an international trip without a passport and visa. To all the people who are aspiring to go abroad and make a living, you know how tough it is to get these approved. But do you know why? A passport is our identity, and a visa is like an entry pass into another country. We are aware that visas and passports are different. But do you know exactly how? Let’s find out!
Passport vs. Visa
The national government of the country issues each individual with a passport. The name, birth date, gender, address, and place of birth of the bearer are all listed in the passport, which serves as proof of identity. Identification of the passport’s owner is its main role. An emergency certificate is typically issued by the Indian Embassy in the country to an Indian traveller who loses their passport while abroad, allowing them to return to India. There are different types of passports issued by a country. These are regular passports, service, diplomatic, emergency, collective, and family passports.
A visa Is an official authorization that must be granted by one country to a passport holder to visit any other country. There are several types of visas, and the government grants them for a variety of reasons. For instance, there are many kinds of visas for business, employment, residency, and study. In many nations, there are various ways to obtain a visa. A visa is often issued by an embassy or consulate. Some countries do not require a visa to visit; you can travel visa-free. There are different visas mentioned, like tourist visas, transit, business, medical, student, work, pilgrimage, and immigrant visas.
Difference between passport and visa in tabular form
| Parameters | Passport | Visa |
| Definition | A passport is given by the native country as proof of identity. | A visa is a temporary permit given by a foreign country to visit. |
| Contents | It contains the holder's name, address, and photo. | It doesn’t contain details of the holder |
| Design | It's a booklet | It's a paper or sticker on the passport. |
| Types | Ordinary passport, official passport, service passport, and diplomat passport. | Student visa, work visa, transit visa, tourist visa, etc. |
| Function | Proof of identity | Permit to enter, stay and leave a country |
| Validity | For a few months to years | For a few days to months. |
| Requirement | Mandatory to travel | Some countries allow visa free travel. |
| Issued by | The country you belong to. | The destination country. |
| Issued by | Government | Embassy or consulate |
What is a passport?
A passport is a recognized travel document that confirms a person's identification and is issued by a government. Travelling to and from foreign nations is made easier for those who have passports.
HISTORY:
Passport-type issues were mentioned in the Bible and Arthsashtra that date back to 1000s of years ago. Even the Quin dynasty and caliphate issued a permit to travel across the country. King Henry V of England issued what was considered the first passport. Border passport requirements were implemented during World War I by European nations for security concerns and to limit the emigration of people. After the war, these restrictions were still in effect and became standard conduct.
Many countries issue biometric passports with implanted microchips, which make them machine-readable and challenging to duplicate.
A passport will not let you enjoy all rights of the country you are visiting. A diplomat passport would make you immune to arrest.
In terms of design and content, passports, which are size three travel documents, must adhere to strict rules. The format of size three travel documents must be a booklet with at least eight pages and a data page. The data page must enable electronic scanning.
Types of Passports
Ordinary passports, issued to individuals and other nationals, are the most common type. In addition to the standard passports that national governments provide to their citizens, there are other passports issued under certain circumstances. It's customary for people to only be able to hold one passport at a time, some governments allow their citizens to have multiple passports. A person may own both a regular passport and a diplomatic or official passport at the same time.
The common passport, also known as passport type P, is given to common people who travel for work or recreation. These passports are navy blue.
Emergency passport
Emergency passports are granted when a person's passport has been stolen, or misplaced, or they don't have time to get a new one. These passports are valid for a short span and are temporary passports.
Diplomat passports
Diplomat passports are for public servants and diplomats who are going abroad for work. These are issued to any government official travelling abroad. This indicates that the only people who can obtain official passports are government officials and are white.
The ability to travel without a visa is the most important perk of this passport. For international travel, they won't require a visa, regardless of how long they choose to remain in a foreign nation. Additionally, with this passport, individuals can benefit from a hassle-free immigration process.
Restrictions on passports
Every country establishes its standards for the issue of passports. Most nations' laws recognize that passports are the property of the government and allow for their restriction or revocation at any moment, usually for specific reasons. Countries have distinct requirements for passport applicants, and some states have higher standards than others. The typical validity period of a passport is between five and ten years. Since many airlines refuse to board passengers whose passports have an expiration date that is less than six months, it is advised that a passport be valid for at least six months after the date of departure.
Many countries employ border controls to prevent people of a certain nationality or who have visited a certain country from entering. Owners with passports issued by the Republic of China are denied entry to Georgia. The Pakistani passports specifically state that they are valid everywhere but in Israel.
Passport ranking
Calculating the mobility score (MS) of a passport is one way to rate its value. The number of nations that permit visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or electronic travel authorization (eTA) entry for general tourism is known as a passport's mobility score.
The United Arab Emirates stands first with the highest MS score 181. It is the most powerful passport in the world. The weakest passport belongs to South Sudan and Ethiopia with a score of 53. Germany, Sweden, Spain, Italy, France, and South Korea stand 2nd in the world ranking.
Passport mishaps
- You must apply for a new passport if your first name or last name has been changed officially.
- Make sure to include official proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, when applying for a new passport due to a name change.
- For several reasons, including losing your citizenship, being accused of a crime, or giving incorrect information on your passport application, your passport may be revoked. If the passport-issuing authority determines that there are good reasons to do so, they reserve the right to deny your application or revoke your passport.
- Passports must contain specific security measures to protect against fraud and counterfeiting.
- Holograms that glow under UV light, an electronic chip containing the bearer's data, optically changeable ink that changes colour under various light sources, and anti-scan patterns are the security features. Authorities that issue passports are asked to use several security measures to make it as difficult as they can to fake their documents.
What is a visa?
A visa is a temporary permit issued to a foreigner by the government to enter, stay in, or leave its territory. Visas are related to requests for authorization to enter a country. At the borders, immigration officers had the authority to allow or deny entry to travellers. When a visa was needed, the official would stamp a person's passport to indicate that they were allowed access. Travellers today who want to enter another nation often require to apply in advance for a visa. Before the applicant's arrival, governments can take into account the applicant's circumstances, including their financial stability, the purpose of their trip, and any previous visits they may have made.
To emigrate, a person must get an exit visa from the country. These exit visas could be necessary for both citizens and visitors. Only after World War I did passports and visas become important as travel documents. Modern-day requires passports that serve as the primary travel documents, whereas visas are now considered separate secondary travel documents.
Travel visas
Travel visas enable the holder to enter a foreign nation for brief visits for tourism and recreation and to remain there for a defined period. Business activities are not allowed.
Transit visas
Sometimes transit visas are necessary for visitors to pass through a nation other than the country they want to visit. If you have a layover in a country for more than a few hours, a transit visa is normally necessary.
Private visas
Private visa, granted based on an invitation by nationals of the country being visited.
Medical visas
A medical visa is issued for receiving a diagnosis or treatment in a hospital in the destination country.
Work visa
Anyone who wants to work or carry out business in that nation must have a work visa.
Student visa
The F-1 student visa, which is issued in the United States, enables its holder to enrol in higher education programs. Family members of students are permitted to go with them to the US on an F-2 visa.
Refugee visa
People who are fleeing persecution, war, or natural disasters may be granted refugee visas or asylum visas.
Spouse visa
When a couple does not share a nationality, spouse visas enable them to travel together. The spouse can visit the other with a spouse visa for a very short time.
Digital visa
A digital visa known as an eVisa is saved in a database as opposed to being stamped or adhered to the bearer's passport. The eVisa is connected to the passport number of the applicant.
Traditional visas can be pasted or stamped on your passport. If your visa is adhered to your passport, it will often be a small piece of paper with your name, passport number, birthplace, purpose of travel, and expiry date on it.
Several nations have visa regulations and agreements that enable their citizens to move freely visa-free.
The visa policy of a nation establishes who is allowed to visit and who is not. Passport holders from one country may be able to enter without a visa under the program. Most visa regulations are bilateral, which means that residents of two nations can travel without a visa between them.
Main differences between passport and visa in points
1. A passport is proof of identity, whereas a visa is a permit order given to the holder.
2. A passport is a booklet with eight pages with one of the pages being the visa.
3. A visa is issued by the embassy of the destination country permitting you to enter, stay and leave the country. A passport is proof of identity that you belong to a certain country and pose no harm.
4. A passport is valid for a few months to a few years based on the type of passport. A visa is valid for a few days to a few months based on the type of visa.
5. A passport contains the holder's information, whereas a visa doesn't.
6. A passport is a must to travel in contrast to some countries which allow visa-free travel.
7. Government has the right to revoke someone's passport and the right to not issue a visa.
8. Ordinary, official, service, and diplomatic passports are the types of passports. Student, work, transit, and travel visas are the types of visas.
Conclusion
Passports and visas are the most essential for international travel. Visa needs to be applied for in advance as there are high chances of getting rejected. In many countries, a passport is issued after verification of the holder's identity by visiting their place. A refugee travel document is a document issued to refugees and they cannot use the previous passports. Interpol documents are offered to interior officers to make their travel easier. There are different types of passports and visas tending to our needs. So when you are deciding to get a visa, do not forget to know the options.
