visa

1 of 2

noun

vi·​sa ˈvē-zə How to pronounce visa (audio)
also
-sə How to pronounce visa (audio)
1
: an endorsement made on a passport by the proper authorities denoting that it has been examined and that the bearer may proceed
2
: a signature of formal approval by a superior upon a document

visa

2 of 2

verb

visaed ˈvē-zəd How to pronounce visa (audio)
-səd
; visaing ˈvē-zə-iŋ How to pronounce visa (audio)
-sə-

transitive verb

: to give a visa to (a passport)

Examples of visa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This set off a scramble to secure visas in the country before the scheme closed. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 20 Mar. 2024 These programs involve making an investment of, typically, a few hundred thousand dollars and spending a few years in a country in exchange for a visa or citizenship. Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2024 After returning to England to obtain a work visa, Bentley decided to return stateside to make Missouri her home. Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024 While visiting his immigration lawyer’s office, Alejandro encounters another client whose visa is on the brink of expiration. Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 The visa will be offered to visitors from 49 countries and territories, including the United States. Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2024 The team may get a fresh pair of legs to help deliver the ball to Messi on Saturday as 21-year-old Argentine midfielder Federico Redondo was finalizing his visa paperwork and might be available for the Orlando game, Martino said. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2024 These visas, known as Treaty Trader (E-1) and Treaty Investor (E-2) visas, are designed for citizens of countries with which the United States maintains business treaties. Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 In 1970, my mom came to the U.S. from Ecuador on a tourist visa while pregnant with me, her invisible carry-on luggage. Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 5 Mar. 2024
Verb
When the Southern Hemisphere of the Earth faces the sun and experiences summer, the Northern Hemisphere experiences winter — and visa versa. Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 21 Dec. 2023 Most of Nomad Capitalist’s ranking comes down to visa free travel – that is, the number of countries a passport will allow its holder to enter without a visa. Chloe Taylor, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'visa.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Latin, neuter plural of visus, past participle

First Known Use

Noun

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of visa was in 1831

Dictionary Entries Near visa

Cite this Entry

“Visa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/visa. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

visa

1 of 2 noun
vi·​sa ˈvē-zə How to pronounce visa (audio)
also
-sə How to pronounce visa (audio)
: a mark on a passport that is a sign of approval and permission for a traveler to go ahead

visa

2 of 2 verb
visaed -zəd How to pronounce visa (audio)
-səd
; visaing -zə-iŋ How to pronounce visa (audio)
-sə-
: to give a visa to

Legal Definition

visa

noun
vi·​sa ˈvē-zə, -sə How to pronounce visa (audio)
: an endorsement made on a passport by the proper authorities denoting that it has been examined and that the bearer may proceed

More from Merriam-Webster on visa

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