What does a visa provide to an individual?

A visa provides an individual with permission to travel to a specific country and request entry for a certain purpose, such as tourism, work, or study. It acts as a formal endorsement that allows the individual to present themselves at a border or entry point, where the immigration authorities will then make the final decision regarding their entry based on various factors, including the validity of the visa and compliance with the entry requirements.

In contrast, permanent residency allows an individual to live and work in a country indefinitely, citizenship confers full legal membership and rights within a country, and permission to reside indefinitely suggests a status that is not typically granted by a visa. Visas are usually temporary and come with specific conditions and limitations, making it essential to understand that their primary role is to facilitate travel and entry rather than confer long-term residency or citizenship rights.