ELI5: visa

// eli5

What is a visa?

A visa is like a permission slip that a country gives you to visit [2][3]. Just like you need to ask your friend's parents before visiting their house, you need to ask another country's government for permission to go there [2].

Why do you need one?

Countries want to know who is coming to visit them, so they ask you to get permission first [3]. It's a way for the government to keep track of who is entering the country [1].

Where does it go?

A visa is a stamp or sticker that goes inside your passport, which is like your travel ID book [4]. When you travel, you show both your passport and visa to prove you have permission to enter [3].

How do you get one?

You have to apply to the country you want to visit and ask for permission [3]. Different countries have different rules about who can visit and how long they can stay [5].