Step 1: Meaning of visa:
A visa is an official permission, usually a stamp or a sticker on the passport, given by a foreign government.
It allows the passport holder to enter, stay in or pass through that country for a stated period.
Step 2: Who issues it and how to get it:
The embassy or consulate of the country issues the visa.
The traveller fills in an application form and submits the passport, photographs, fee, travel ticket and proof of money.
Today many countries also give an e-visa online or a visa on arrival.
Step 3: Common types:
Tourist visa, business visa, student visa, work (employment) visa, transit visa and medical visa.
Each type has its own purpose, validity and conditions.
Final Answer:
A visa is the permit from a foreign country to enter and stay there, and it is needed along with a passport for most international travel.