Millions of visas are issued across the world each year, and statistics show the number of people who apply for visas increases annually.
There are many different types of visas worldwide. The type of visa one will need is based on one's destination and the purpose of travel.
There are two main types of United States visas: non-immigrant visas and immigrant visas. Non-immigrant visas are for travel to the United States on a temporary basis; immigrant visas are for establishing permanent residence in the United States.
Americans interested in obtaining a visa for a foreign country should contact the U.S. embassy or consulate of the country they wish to visit (see Resources).
A visa does not guarantee a traveler entry into a foreign country. Rather, it allows a traveler into a country's point-of-entry, at which point government inspectors review the traveler's visa and authorize or deny entry into the country.
