A visit visa lets you enter a country for a short stay to visit family or friends, attend a social event, or for other short non-working reasons. Many countries use "visit visa" interchangeably with "tourist visa"; a few distinguish it to separate social visits from general tourism.
By Krosz Editorial Team · Reviewed by Krosz Visa Operations · Published 2026-09-15 · Updated 2026-09-15
Purpose
Short social and family visits, attending events, or informal non-business travel.
Who is it for?
Travellers visiting relatives or friends, attending weddings or family occasions, or making short personal trips.
Typical application method
Online eVisa, embassy sticker visa, or sponsor-based application depending on the destination.
Can Krosz help?
Krosz helps you confirm whether a visit visa is the right category, prepare the invitation documents, and submit the application. We are a private service, not a government authority.
Krosz does not publish fabricated processing times, fees, validity or stay durations. Country-specific figures appear only when pulled from Krosz's verified visa database.
Tell us where you're planning to travel and our team can help you understand the application process.
Overview
A visit visa authorises a short, temporary stay for social or family purposes. In most destinations it functions the same as a tourist visa; a handful of countries use the term to single out visits sponsored by a resident host.
It is designed for visiting family or friends, attending weddings or family events, or short personal trips. Some countries also allow informal, non-commercial meetings under a visit visa, but anything resembling business usually needs a business visa.
The entry method — eVisa, ETA, sticker visa or visa-on-arrival — depends on your nationality and the destination, not on the label "visit" versus "tourist".
Exemptions depend on your nationality, the destination and your circumstances — always confirm for your exact combination.
Activities
Visiting family & friends
Staying with relatives or friends for a short social visit.
Family events
Attending weddings, funerals or family celebrations.
Short personal trips
Brief personal travel that is not tourism sightseeing or business.
Receiving hospitality
Staying with a host who provides accommodation and support.
What you normally cannot do
Documents
Only documents relevant to this category are shown. Exact requirements vary by country — confirm for your destination.
Passport
Valid with sufficient blank pages and validity beyond travel.
Photograph
Recent photo meeting the destination's rules.
Application form
Completed online or paper application.
Invitation letter
Letter from your host confirming the visit and relationship.
Travel itinerary
Return or onward booking for the visit dates.
Host accommodation proof
Proof of where you will stay with your host.
Financial evidence
Proof of funds, or host sponsorship if the host is funding the visit.
Relationship evidence
Documents showing your relationship to the host (e.g. family proof).
Process
A category-specific application timeline. Steps may differ by destination and your circumstances.
Confirm the category
Check whether the destination treats family visits as a tourist visa or a separate visit visa.
Get the invitation
Ask your host for an invitation letter and any sponsorship documents.
Prepare documents
Gather passport, photo, itinerary, relationship evidence and funds proof.
Apply & pay
Submit the eVisa form or book an embassy/VAC appointment and pay the fee.
Processing
The authority reviews the application, including the host invitation.
Decision
Receive the visa electronically or as a passport stamp.
Krosz tool
Tell us where you want to travel and your passport. We'll route you to the right Krosz visa page.
Destinations
Only destinations where Krosz has verified data for this purpose are shown. We never claim every country offers a visa with the same name.
Krosz does not currently process this visa category for specific destinations.
Contact the relevant embassy or authority for the country you plan to visit, or for guidance.
Comparison
| Point of comparison | Visit Visa | Tourist Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Family or social visits | Holidays and sightseeing |
| Host involvement | Often a host invitation or sponsorship | Usually no host required |
| Documents | Invitation letter, relationship proof | Itinerary, accommodation, funds |
| Where used | Some countries distinguish it from tourism | Most countries use it for leisure travel |
Be prepared
General, educational reasons relevant to this category. We never publish invented refusal rates.
Practical
FAQ
Tell us where you're planning to travel and our team can help you understand the application process.
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Krosz is a private visa & travel assistance service — not a government website, agency or embassy. Visas are granted solely by the relevant government authorities.
Krosz is a private visa assistance platform and is not affiliated with any government or embassy. Visa decisions are made by the relevant authorities. Last reviewed: 2026-09-15.
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