25 Travel Terms You Need to Know (Especially the Uncommon Ones)
May 28, 2025
Planning a trip soon?
We reckon this list will be useful if you’re applying for a visa, checking entry requirements or trying to make sense of immigration rules.
At Zendocs, we make visa checks instant and travel documents stress-free.
But to navigate travel smoothly, it helps to know the technical terms used by immigration officers, visa applications, and airport officials.
Here’s your ultimate glossary of 25 uncommon travel-related terms every global traveler should know:
Essential Travel & Visa Terms
1. Schengen Area
A group of 27 European countries where border controls have been abolished. One visa grants access to all member states.
2. eVisa
A visa you apply for online. It’s issued electronically, no embassy visit needed, and often linked directly to your passport.
3. Visa on Arrival (VoA)
A visa granted at your destination’s airport or border — but only for certain nationalities. Documents and fees are still required.
4. Transit Visa
Needed if you're passing through a country en route to another and may leave the airport or stay for a short period.
5. Biometrics
Fingerprints, facial scans, or other data used to verify your identity during visa applications or border checks.
Visa Application Lingo
6. Visa Waiver
When travelers from select countries don’t need a visa for short stays, usually under a mutual agreement.
7. Invitation Letter
A formal document from a person or organization in the destination country explaining your reason for visiting and confirming accommodation or sponsorship.
8. Proof of Funds
Documents such as bank statements or sponsor letters proving you can support yourself during your stay.
9. Overstay Penalty
Staying beyond your visa’s duration can lead to fines, deportation, or future visa denials.
10. Multiple-Entry Visa
Lets you enter and exit a country multiple times during the visa’s validity period.
Technical Immigration Concepts
11. Visa Validity vs. Duration of Stay
✔ Validity: How long the visa is good for (e.g., 6 months).
✔ Duration of stay: How long you can remain on each visit (e.g., 30 days per entry).
12. Consular Jurisdiction
The region a consulate covers. You must apply at the consulate serving your place of residence.
13. Entry Clearance
Advance approval (especially for long stays) before traveling to a country. Often used in work or study visa cases.
14. Return Ticket Requirement
Proof of onward or return travel — some countries won’t let you in without it.
15. Exit Permit
Some countries (like Russia or some Gulf states) require formal approval to leave the country, especially for foreign workers.
International Rules & Requirements
16. Form I-94 (USA)
Used to track how long a non-citizen stays in the U.S. It’s now usually digital.
17. Sponsor Letter
Written by a person or organization confirming they’ll support you financially during your trip.
18. Yellow Card (ICVP)
The International Certificate of Vaccination, often required for Yellow Fever. Common for travelers entering African or South American countries.
19. No Objection Certificate (NOC)
A letter showing your government or employer doesn’t object to your travel. Often required for student or work visas.
20. Visa Denial Code
An official reason given by immigration when your visa is refused. Useful for appeals or future applications.
Arrival & Border Control
21. Port of Entry
The place where you first enter a country. Immigration reviews your passport, visa, and entry documents here.
22. ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)
A mini-preapproval (not quite a visa) required before flying to countries like Canada or Australia.
23. Border Run
Leaving and quickly re-entering a country to reset your visa’s validity. Often risky and not officially supported.
24. Administrative Processing
When your visa application goes under extended review, usually for security or background checks.
25. Immigration Hold
A delay or stop placed on your travel plans, often while officials verify your identity or documents.
Just bookmark this glossary
Traveling internationally gets easier when you understand the system. Use this glossary to guide your applications, airport experiences and visa decisions.
And if you're ever unsure what documents you need for any trip, Zendocs has got your back. Instantly check visa requirements, compare options, and get your visa checklist stress-free.
