obtain a visa

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obtain a visa" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the process of obtaining permissions that allow someone to enter another country. For example, "John was determined to go to Canada, so he started the process to obtain a visa."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You must obtain a visa before arriving in Myanmar; information is available at www.mewashingtondc.com.

The New York Times

United States citizens must obtain a visa for entry to Suriname before departure.

The New York Times - Travel

"Dubai was the place I could obtain a visa as fast as possible," he said.

The New Yorker

Now they have to pay exorbitant fees and obtain a visa.

The Guardian - Opinion

(Despite his efforts in advance of the German invasion, Otto was unable to obtain a visa).

The New Yorker

But Kassar became uneasy, and claimed that he couldn't obtain a visa for his Argentine passport.

The New Yorker

Unable to obtain a visa, Qureshi did not travel here for the Rogers Cup.

The New York Times - Sports

"However, we still hope to obtain a visa so Luke can come back".

The New York Times

Mr. Shibh made his fourth attempt to obtain a visa to visit the United States, the government says.

The New York Times

Suspecting them of being economic migrants, it started demanding that all Turkish citizens obtain a visa before boarding a plane.

The New York Times

Many interviewed said they wanted the documents so that they could obtain a visa and flee the country.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about travel requirements, use "obtain a visa" to clearly and professionally state the need for acquiring travel documentation.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all nationalities require a visa for a specific country. Always verify the specific visa requirements for the traveler's citizenship to provide accurate information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtain a visa" functions as a verb phrase, where "obtain" is the main verb and "visa" is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It describes the action of acquiring official permission to enter a foreign country.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obtain a visa" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression for describing the process of acquiring travel authorization. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, travel, and official communications. When using this phrase, ensure you're providing accurate and up-to-date information on visa requirements, and consider the formality of your writing when choosing between "obtain a visa" and more casual alternatives like "get a visa".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire a visa

Uses a different verb ("acquire") to convey the same meaning of getting a visa.

get a visa

A simpler and more informal way of saying "obtain a visa".

apply for a visa

Focuses on the action of submitting an application for a visa.

secure a visa

Emphasizes the effort or difficulty in getting a visa.

be granted a visa

Emphasizes the approval of the visa application by the issuing authority.

procure a visa

A more formal and less common way of saying "obtain a visa".

receive a visa

Indicates the result of a successful visa application.

arrange a visa

Implies planning and preparation to get a visa.

request a visa

Highlights the act of asking for a visa.

process a visa

Focuses on the administrative handling of a visa application (from the perspective of the issuing authority).

FAQs

How to use "obtain a visa" in a sentence?

You can use "obtain a visa" to describe the process of getting permission to enter a foreign country, as in "Travelers from many countries must "obtain a visa" before visiting the United States".

What can I say instead of "obtain a visa"?

You can use alternatives like "get a visa", "apply for a visa", or "secure a visa" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "obtain a visa" or "getting a visa"?

"Obtain a visa" is more formal, while "getting a visa" is more casual. Both are grammatically correct, but the best choice depends on the writing context.

What's the difference between "obtain a visa" and "apply for a visa"?

"Apply for a visa" refers specifically to the act of submitting an application, while ""obtain a visa"" refers to the entire process of acquiring the visa, which may include applying, providing documents, and attending an interview.