visa

1 of 2

noun

vi·​sa ˈvē-zə 

also

-sə 

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 

-səd

; visaing ˈvē-zə-iŋ 

-sə-

transitive verb

: to give a visa to (a passport)

Examples of visa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In an unrelated case earlier this year, a Chinese man received a three-month federal sentence after trying to smuggle undocumented Chinese immigrants to Guam, looking to exploit a loophole allowing Chinese visitors to visit the Northern Mariana Islands without a visa. —Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 25 Nov. 2025

That is because the country is trying to beat the competition posed by the likes of Portugal, Greece, Malta and Spain by stepping up its game and offering wealthy investors an even better deal—a new four-year golden visa program. —Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025

Verb

How will visa holders be affected? —Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025

But experts said insufficient oversight has undermined the protections promised to visa holders. —Max Blau, ProPublica, 16 Sep. 2025

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

Phrases Containing visa

• exit visa
• transit visa

Rhymes for visa

• mycorrhiza

Kids Definition

visa

1 of 2 noun

vi·​sa ˈvē-zə 

also

-sə 

: 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 

-səd

; visaing -zə-iŋ 

-sə-

: to give a visa to

Legal Definition

visa

noun

vi·​sa ˈvē-zə, -sə 

: an endorsement made on a passport by the proper authorities denoting that it has been examined and that the bearer may proceed