Types of visa

Types of visas include:

• transit visa, usually valid for 3 days or less, for passing through the country to
a third destination.
• tourist visa, for a limited period of leisure travel, no business activities
allowed. Some countries do not issue tourist visas. Saudi Arabia introduced
tourist visas only in 2004 although it did (and still does) issue pilgrimage
visas for Hajj pilgrims.
• business visa, for engaging in commerce in the country. These visas generally
preclude permanent employment, for which a work visa would be required.
• temporary worker visa, for approved employment in the host country. These
are generally more difficult to obtain but valid for longer periods of time than
a business visa. Examples of these are the United States' H-1B and L-1 visas.
• on-arrival visa, granted immediately prior to entering the country, such as at
an airport or border control post. This is distinct from not requiring a visa at
all, as the visitor must still obtain the visa before they can even try to pass
through immigration.
• spousal visa, granted to the spouse of a resident or citizen of a given country,
in order to enable the couple to settle in that country. Examples include the
United Kingdom's EEA family permit.
• student visa, which allows its holder to study at an institution of higher
learning in the issuing country. Students studying in Algeria, however, are
issued tourist visas. [7]
• working holiday visa, for individuals travelling between nations offering a
working holiday programme, allowing young people to undertake temporary
work while travelling.
• diplomatic visa (sometimes official visa), is normally only available to bearers
of diplomatic passports.
• courtesy visa issued to representatives of foreign governments or
international organizations who do not qualify for diplomatic status but do
merit expedited, courteous treatment.
• journalist visa, which some countries require of people in that occupation
when travelling for their respective news organizations. Countries which insist
on this include Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, the United States (I-
visa) and Zimbabwe.
• Marriage visa, granted for a limited period prior to intended marriage based
on a proven relationship with a citizen of the destination country. For
example, a German woman who wishes to marry an American man would
obtain a Fiancee Visa (also known as a K-1 visa to allow her to enter the
United States).
• immigrant visa, granted for those intending to immigrate to the issuing
country. They usually are issued for a single journey as the holder will,
depending on the country, later be issued a permanent resident identification
card which will allow the traveller to enter to the issuing country an unlimited
number of times. (for example, the United States Permanent Resident
Card)...
• Special Category Visa is a type of Australian visa granted to most New
Zealand citizens on arrival in Australia. New Zealand Citizens may then
pemanantly reside in Australia under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement.