Passport vs Travel Visa Explained

There are significant differences between a passport and a travel visa. So, before you travel, get to know the differences between both and the countries that require one or both to enter that country. For the frequent traveler, having a passport is a necessity but not a travel visa. Only if the country you frequent requires a travel visa, then it is necessary to get it. So, let’s get an understanding of what are a passport and a travel visa.

What is a Passport?

A passport is a document issued to a country’s citizen for international travel. A passport can also be used as identification. It contains the holder photo, name, birthdate, gender, and physical characteristics. Most countries require a visitor to have a passport for entry. Some also request that the passport has at least three months validity. So, before going on an international trip, make sure your passport is valid and with more than six months validity.

Some countries will accept a passport card instead of a passport book. Countries like Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean will take a valid passport card to enter. An enhanced driver’s license (EDL) can also be used for entry.

What is a Travel Visa?

Traveling overseas will undoubtedly require a passport; however, some countries do need a visa for entry. A travel visa is a document that allows a visitor to enter a country at specific times. Some visas must be applied for before a trip while others are obtained at a port of entry. Whichever way get it, the country that issues the visa will charge a fee.

Due to the different processes to obtain a travel visa, some countries will only accept applications at their consulate. For example, countries like China, India, Russia, Brazil, and Iran require you to go to one of their embassy in the U.S. and apply. However, others have their applications online where you can apply and pay the fee right away.

There are different types of visas that are issued. The different types are tourist, student, work, and transit visa. Depending on where you are going, some countries may issue a single entry visa. Others may issue a multiple entry visit visa. Likewise, some visas are valid for one month while others can go up to 10 years.

Passport vs Travel Visa

A passport vs travel visa may result in a passport having more value than a visa. Or, a passport is required more than a visa. A passport is accepted as identification in the U.S., as well as any other country in the world. Every country will take a passport to enter, regardless of the country that issued the passport. However, a visa can only be used to enter the country that issued it. For example, you can visit Brazil or France with your U.S. passport but can enter Brazil with a Brazilian visa and not with a French visa.

So, a passport has more benefits than a visa. For this reason and others, a passport has a longer validity than a visa. A passport has more requirements to obtain one than the demands put in place to get a visa.

For your next vacation, research your destination and get to know if a visa is required for entry. If one is necessary, get the information to see if you must apply before going on the trip or if the visa is issued at an entry port. Some visa processes can take a few weeks; start the process well in advance of the trip. It will help in case there is any delay in the process that can lead to a suspension in your travel plans.