Is paying money to obtain a travel visa considered a bribe?

If the means of livelihood become difficult for you in your country, there is no impediment to traveling to another country for work, provided you are secure from temptations, are able to observe your religious duties, and the work is permissible. However, if you know that you will be tempted in your religion or your morals, then stay in your country or travel to another country that is safe for your religion.

As for paying money to obtain a visa: If the person is an employee in the visa issuing authority and is performing his duty, then what you pay him is a bribe. But if you are entitled to the visa and the employee refuses to grant it except for a bribe, then there is no harm in paying him. And if the person is not an employee and mediates for you, then there is no impediment to paying him money for his mediation (the price of influence).