Visa is an American
rock band up till 2009 or, a more commonly known permission needed to entry a
specific country. For some of the visas you have to pay and apply in advance,
before booking your trip, for some countries like Egypt you may be eligible for
a visa on arrival, that means you will get a stamp at the Egyptian port of
entry, allowing you to stay there. There are many exceptions of course and it
all depends on your nationality, moreover, types of permission vary and have
different validity.
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| Egyptian
visa on arrival
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Egypt
|
Every
country has its own types of visas available for migrants and travelers. If
talking about American visas there are two main types: immigrant and
non-immigrant. To receive the first one you need to be a relative to an American
citizen, have an appointed employment, be a refugee or asylee. In that case
properly your relative or employer would be your sponsor/petitioner who have to
file a petition on your behalf to obtain a Diversity Immigrant Visa aka Green Card.
There’s also one more possibility to acquire a Green Card – in DV Lottery. That
is possible only on condition that you come from qualifying countries and that
depends on the number of citizens of your country who migrated to USA in last 5
years – when the number is not higher that 50 000, than your country is
qualified (for example Poland was excluded from lottery in years 1998-2001 and
2007-2012). Next, there come non-immigrant USA visas of several types from
which the most popular are: business, tourist and visit, work, student,
exchange visitor and transit.
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|
USA Green
card
|
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| USA B1/B2 visa |
If you are
a citizen of one of the 38 Visa Waiver countries, you’re allowed to stay in USA
for no longer than 90 days as long as you have approved ESTA Travel
Authorization (you apply for it online). That means that you don’t need to
apply for tourist or business visas in advance. Poland is not allowed to take
part in the program, though most of the European countries are.
 |
Since January
2017 Poles have visa-free or visa on arrival access to 162 countries for not
longer than 90 days stay. Here is the map; fortunately Canada (since 2008, yet
from March 2015 we need electronic travel authorization – eTA, but it’s much
simplier and cheaper than visa) and Australia (online free visa application) are
on it.
 |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Polish_citizens |
The United States and its
territories
Visa free countries
Visa Waiver Program countries
Obtaining a
visa in a consulate does not ensure you will be allowed to enter a specific
country – you need the approval of the immigration officer at the entry point. Frustrating,
isn’t it?
Have you ever applied for some visa? How was it?
Did it go smoothly or was it problematic? What country did you choose and how
was your trip? Please, share your story with us.
What do you think about the abolition of all
visas? Isn’t it a freedom we’re fighting for?
Does the American visa rules make a sense to you?
Do the questions like: Are you a terrorist? Do you plan to blow up yourself?
Have you ever molested a child? make Americans feel safer and USA a better
place to live?
Shouldn’t we look for a reasonable solution to
solve the problem of migrating criminals? Maybe it would be against human
rights to use a truth serum, but I wouldn’t mind it as long as I’m not a
terrorist. That would be at least an
honest answer.
Sources:
https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/frequently-asked-questions/what-is-a-u-s-visa.html
Comments
Abolition of visas would be a great idea. Everyone could travel wherever they want to. On the other hand I think USA would be overpopulated, because everyone would like to live there.
There is a popular opinion that Americans are stupid and I think the same. Maybe they feel better and safer when someone's answer to those question in the way they want to, but I doesn't make any sense at all.
First of all - cost. Friend of mine paid 800zl for visa to USA (only visa increased cost of whole trip)
There are problems, because not every one may get one. When my father was applying for visa to USA for training they required showing an invitation. And there was granny, who wanted to go to her grandchild sacrament and they refused to give her visa.
Even worse is their segregation of people who are allowed to enter their country and who aren't. They suppose everyone want to live in America, however, I think the truth is that everybody would like to have permanent permission to travel or to stay there,yet it doesn't mean that they would do it. After all the forbidden fruit is the most appealing, right?
Thanks a lot America!
I agree with people who are annoyed with this 'duty'. It's not serious, but what can we do? Beg for abolition. Nothing more.
I don't like how America treats Poland in case of Visas. Many other countries have visa-free access, and we still don't have it. As far as I know president Bush promised our country visas, Barack Obama also. Don't forget, that polish people are one of the biggest nation in USA. I hope, that in near future this situation will change.
I think that travelling with identifying documents in current very dangerous times is necessary. However, I think that simple I.D should be sufficient, in my opinion visas are a little bit overkill.
Looking from country perspective visas are way to ensure security and I fully agree with this point of view. For us is kind of annoying procedure, but country should think about it's security not about problem that newcomers will have with getting to that country.
These question you mention about are so stupid that I can't believe that someone could ask you about something like that :D
Nowadays, the world is not a safe place, so all this precautionary measures are totally reasonable. Each country should protect it's citizens. And I think, USA people know what they do with it's visa policy. Of course, it is not good for many of us. But I understand why they do it. The citizens of my country have to apply for a visa for many countries. And no matter how educated and civilized person you are, you will always have to answer the unpleasant questions to prove that you are trust worthy. But we can do nothing. If you want to travel, you should respect the rules.
It's easy to say that it doesn't help or doesn't make any sense when we're in Poland, but I see it more like a typical small shop run by 1-2 people vs a huge supermarket with several guards ensuring people won't rob it without any risks. It is a matter of danger level.
VISAS are kind of rules made by people, it is law. Made with certain purposes in mind. One of many ways of control. By people for people.
Never had to apply for one and don't plan to. We are quite lucky to be born into country which passport allows to visit around 162 countries and territories around the globe. Not everyone can or most.
Wow, that's interesting that your whole family didn't have any problems with getting a visa, good for you :)
I didn't even know that you need visa to Belarus, that's interesting.
After leaving a building I was quite upset.