Have you ever considered an international move? Whether you’re looking to pursue a job opportunity, study abroad, or relocate to be with family, as some of the characters in Sanaz Toossi’s English are, most foreign travel requires two documents: a passport and a visa. A passport verifies your identity and nationality. A visa is a document granted by the destination country to permit an individual entry to that country for a specific reason and an allotted amount of time. It is an endorsement, in the form of a stamp, sticker, or paper document, placed within a passport. The concept of visas dates to ancient civilizations, but the formal concept and its modern processes emerged in the 19th century when the UK required entering travelers to obtain one. Whether you need a visa depends on your origin, destination, and purpose. Common visa types include tourist, business, student, work, family, transit, and refugee/asylum.
An Australian passport with visa stamps from Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom. Note that Myanmar and Thailand have an arrival stamp and a departure stamp.
Acquiring any visa can be an arduous process that varies by country and purpose of travel. Generally, it requires an application, passport, proof of travel reason, and financial documents. The process often involves visiting an embassy or consulate which serves as headquarters for ambassadors to a foreign country. They both grant certain visas but vary in location and function. Some international travel does not require a visa; these “visa free countries” grant entry to specific passport holders. For example, in 2008, Iranian citizens could travel to Armenia, Georgia, and Dominica without a visa, or Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon, where visas were granted upon arrival. Visa policies and processes are complex and ever evolving.
English, set in 2008, follows Iranian students preparing for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), some who aspire to study or settle abroad. In 2008, thousands of migrants left Iran for a host of social, economic, and political factors, with prominent destinations being the US, Canada, Germany, the UK, and Australia. Citizens seeking visas faced challenges including strict application requirements, international sanctions particularly from Western countries, and domestic restrictions such as women's inability to travel without written consent from their husbands or approved authorities which is still true today. One character, Elham, will study gastroenterology in Australia and must acquire a student visa. Applying for an Australian student visa is a many-step process requiring an official offer and confirmation of enrollment, health screenings, financial capacity, character and conduct checks, and proof of English proficiency because Australian classes are primarily taught in English. Work eligibility under a student visa varies by country. In Australia, students are allowed to work but must adhere to strict time restrictions. Roya, another character, seeks connection to her son and grandchild residing in Canada. Canada grants both temporary and permanent resident (PR) visas; Roya has her PR card. Immigrants can obtain a Canadian PR card in many forms, one being family sponsorship. A parent, child, spouse, grandparent, or relative who is a citizen or permanent resident can sponsor a family member’s application.
Procuring a visa can be a long, laborious endeavor and is just one necessary step in the process of foreign travel. Migration involves navigating a plethora of bureaucratic requirements which highlights the resilience of the characters in English who seek new opportunities in a complex global landscape.
References
Australian Trade and Investment Commission. “How to Apply for Your Visa.” Study Australia, 2024.
Envoy Global. “Visa vs. Passport: What Is the Difference?” Envoy Global Resource Center, 6 Jan. 2023.
Government of Canada. “Immigration and Citizenship - Canada.ca.” Canada.ca, 2017.
Hanna, Andrew. “Part 3: Iranian Laws on Women.” Iranprimer.usip.org, United States Institute of Peace, 8 Dec. 2020.
“How to Immigrate Through Canada Family Class Sponsorship.” VisaPlace.com.
Jack. “Consulate vs. Embassy: A Comparison.” Path to Foreign Service, 16 Mar. 2023.
“Visa Free Countries.” VisaIndex.com, 8 Sept. 2023.
“Worldwide Travel Visa Guide.” VisaGuide.World.