A visa is a endorsement granted by authorities that denotes an application hasbeen examined and approved for the bearer to enter the country for the purpose of travel, work or study.
a non- immigrant [ a temporary stay as a tourist , businessman or student] visa depends only on your citizenship.
an immigrant visa [ going permanently to another country to live ] depends on your citizenship and some times the citizenship of your spouse.
a permit is an endorsement granted by authorized that denotes an application hasbeen examined and appoved for the bearer to reside, work or study for a length of time after entry to the country that issue it and before the visa"s validity expires.

Visa permission to enter the country only,,, not for work

A work permit is permission for a company to employ a foreign worker.
Visa is a permission given by Government.

The difference between visa and work permit is that visa is a document acquired by an individual to enter a specific country whereas work permit is an employment letter issued by an employer to the employee needed for entering the country. Visa is issued by the immigration authorities present at the immigration office and the immigration official reserves the rights to allow the person to enter the country. Work permit on the other hand is issued by a national or international company that outsource in other countries to hire professionals or other technical staff etc.

1. A Visa is a travel document to enter into the country whereas a work permit is a job authorization letter from any company.
2. Visa and work permit expiry and renewal need very critical attention.
3. Immigration visas, businessmen and study visas have greater benefits than work permit but they are more expensive.
4. Work permits are distributed free. Some companies would even pay all the expenses for their quali ...more