Visa restriction

Definition. A measure by which a state refuses, suspends or limits the possibility for a foreign national to obtain a visa or enter its territory.

Key points. The admission of foreign nationals is governed by the law of each state, subject to its international obligations and the rules of its domestic law.

A visa restriction may be imposed for ordinary reasons of immigration policy, security or public order. It may also be used as an instrument of foreign policy when a state refuses entry to its territory because of acts carried out by a person in another country.

The restriction remains territorial in its effect: it concerns entry into the country imposing it. Its grounds may, however, lie in conduct, functions or decisions located entirely abroad.

It may target a specifically named person or a category of people defined by their functions or actions. The existence of a general visa-restriction policy does not therefore mean that every person falling within the category concerned has actually been subject to an individual decision.

Related concepts. Targeted sanction · Extraterritoriality · Legislative sovereignty