FAQ

A visa is a document or, more frequently, a stamp affixed in a passport authorizing the bearer to visit a country for specific purposes and for a specific length of time. Many countries require a visa to gain entry.

Most visas are stamped, or affixed, in your passport on the pages specifically marked for them, and countries require that visa stamps be placed on those pages that do not contain any other stamps. Amendment pages at the back of US passports are specifically designated by the US State Department for changes and endorsements to a passport, after initial issuance. Countries generally refuse to recognize the usability of an amendment page for visas.

Depending on the reciprocal treaties governing visa issuance for each nationality, a visa may allow one entry before its expiration, or it may permit the traveler to enter at various times. A single-entry visa may only be used for one entry for the specific purpose for which it was granted. In general, the number of times that a multiple-entry visa may be used depends upon restrictions of time (expiration date of the visa), the nationality of the traveler, or restrictions placed on the total number of days permitted in country during any year.

When photos are required to obtain visas, the photographs must be attached to the visa application forms and submitted to the country issuing the visa. Thus, the photograph in a passport cannot be used for visa applications. Most countries will accept either black and white, or color, passport-type photos taken within the past 3 months; digital photos are not usually accepted.

If you are traveling abroad, you may want to know where the local U.S. Embassy is in the country you are going to. Please consult the U.S. Department of States website Embassy locator.