Many view Visa “Refusal, Approval and Issuance” as either a favour when “Approved or Issued” or denial when “Refused” forgetting the policy guiding Visa Regime and how it results into Visa Inequality or Equality.
As a starting point,what is a Visa? It is a permit,authorisation or endorsement in the national passports of prospective international travellers, that allows people to enter or transit a country other than their own legally through approved ports of entry or exit. It used to be a rubber stamp endorsement but technology or digitisation has improved the quality and standard to a sticker form that is pasted on the pages of a Passport or any other form of endorsement approved by the country concern.
Travelling without Visa is an Immigration crime, except there is Visa waiver or abolition between the country of origin and destination, receiving or transit country as the case may be.
Visa Regime refers to the system of rules and regulations that governs the issuance of visas between countries. Visa Inequality refers to the disparity in visa application experiences and outcomes based on nationality, socio-economic status,other factors, often resulting in higher rejection rates for individuals from specific countries against favourable treatment experience by other citizens.
Process and Procedures associated with Visa applications and process,status among others. The Visa application may be online or direct submission, online process of Visa affords the applicants the opportunity to upload the required visa documents into the local internet system of the Consulates, Embassies or High Commission,after which the system will respond ” Application Received” as a feedback and once processed either through an interview or waiver .There are three main status the Refused, Approved and Issued” as the case may be.
Tracking System in Visa process means you can track your Visa Application by using the Visa Application Number and Reference Number. When an application is submitted to a Visa Service Provider Private or Public ,the applicant is entitled to be given an “Application Number” and “Reference Number” to enable easy tracking.
On a general note, Visa operates under the principle of reciprocity a Diplomatic principle that operates between nations,it is a tool used to control issuance, restricts and sanctions. Visa is a major security tool that nations can leverage on to improve relationships and to control influx or unwarranted entry and exit. Visa is a commercial tool for boosting investment and increase Foreign Direct Investments(FDIs),it is also a tool for sanctioning in cold war between two or more unfriendly nations,for the security and intelligence community,it is a restraining tools to restrict entry and exit,when enforcing security checks such as on Wanted, Watch listed persons, those on Suspect Index and those with court restrictions in view of being exposed politically,financially or a security concern.
Understanding this subject will enable Citizens to keep their integrity and remain free from restrictions to their legitimate travels.
The National Passports and Visas are the tools involved in the process, adequate travel advisories and guidance is relevant for assisting citizens.
- James Sunday, is a Border Security and Migration Management Expert.
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