What is the difference and connection between a residence permit and a visa?

Residence permit and visa are issued by different units, with different appearances, different functions, and different application time and units. The connection between the two is that you must obtain a visa before you can apply for a residence permit. Take the Spanish student visa as an example:

First, the issuing unit is different:

The visa is issued by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the residence permit is issued by the Immigration Bureau of the National Police Department of the Spanish Ministry of the Interior;

Second, the appearance is different:

The visa is attached to the passport, which is about the size of the passport page, while the residence permit is an independent document, about the size of a credit card;

Sign? certificate

residence permit

Third, the function is different:

Visa is used for students who stay in Spain for less than three to six months, and residence permit is used for students who stay in Spain for more than three months. It can be regarded as a kind of residence permit for foreigners in Spain and also belongs to the category of identity cards.

Four, the application time is different from the unit:

Before entering Spain, apply for a visa from Spanish embassies and consulates abroad. After entering Spain, apply for a Spanish student visa to the foreign affairs department of the national police station where you live.

Extended data

Visa application procedure

Most countries that have diplomatic relations with China have established embassies or consulates in China. The Embassy is located in Beijing, the capital, and the Consulate General is located in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenyang, Chengdu and other economically developed and populous cities.

Some countries or regions that have not yet established embassies or consulates either have consulates in Hong Kong or entrust other offices to handle visa affairs.

There are three ways for China citizens to apply for foreign visas:

(1) I apply directly to foreign embassies and consulates in China;

(2) Entrust the visa office of China Travel Agency (generally limited to tourist visas);

(3) Foreign relatives and friends directly apply for a visa to the country's immigration bureau;

The adoption of the above three methods depends on the situation. If I am familiar with the situation and the embassy accepts individual applications, I can apply for a visa directly to embassies and consulates in China.

Some countries don't have embassies in China, so foreign relatives and friends should apply for entry permits there. After approval, relatives will send it to the applicant, and the applicant can start his journey abroad with his passport and returned visa.

Foreign consulates in China are responsible for applying for visas to their countries for people in their territories. Therefore, visa applicants should know in advance about going to China's embassies, consulates and jurisdictions.

There are generally three ways for citizens of other countries to apply for foreign visas, but the specific provisions vary from country to country, depending on the specific situation:

(1) I apply directly to foreign embassies and consulates in the country;

(2) Entrust the visa office of the country's travel agency to apply for it (generally limited to tourist visas);

(3) relatives and friends of the applicant country directly apply for a visa to the immigration bureau of the applicant country.

Application procedure for residence permit

Foreigners applying for residence certificates must answer relevant questions and go through the following procedures:

(1) Submit the passport and visa for examination;

(2) Certificates related to the reasons for residence;

Among them, foreigners who have no right to settle in China must obtain the Alien Employment Certificate upon approval.

The following foreigners are exempt from employment permits:

1, a foreigner holding a Foreign Expert Certificate;

2. Foreign workers with special skills who hold the Permit for Foreigners to Work in Offshore Oil in People's Republic of China (PRC) and engage in offshore oil operations without landing;

3, approved by the Ministry of culture to "temporary business performance license" for business cultural performances of foreigners.

(3) fill in the residence application form;

(4) To apply for a foreigner's residence permit, you should also submit a health certificate and a recent 2-inch half-length bareheaded photo. ?

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