The major similarity Visa and Work Permit are that both will allow an individual to travel from his or her country to another country. However, there are some differences between the two. Visa is a document you will need to be granted before you can travel to another country. Visas are usually given to individuals by the immigration authorities of other countries that are present in your own country.
Work permit, on the other hand, is a legal authorization that allows an employee from a particular country to take employment in another country. Work permits are usually secured by companies or nationals that want to hire employees or professionals from another country. Visas are of two types; immigrant and non-immigrant visas.
However, while the immigrant visa will allow staying for a longer period of time, the duration of a non-immigrant visa is not always as long as that of an immigrant visa before it expires. Also, the duration of the work permit is not always as long as that of an immigrant visa before it expires.