[londgine]

it's a document that needs to be prepared ahead of time, costs money, and can be denied. what is your definition of a visa if not this?

[justnotworthit]

To add to your point: Aren't there countries that have "online visas" for short stays (I'm thinking central asia and I hear russia has done the same) that are equal to this "not-a-visa"? Do people think visa by definition requires an in person meeting?

[filleduchaos]

That...doesn't define a visa at all? Like that straight-up describes such a wide range of documents as to be completely useless as a definition.