Passports & Visas

PASSPORTS

You will need a valid passport to leave the United States.

Obtaining a passport is your responsibility. Apply early for your passport, because processing a passport application can take six weeks or longer, especially during peak travel time. You may apply in person at selected post offices, at a federal or state court of record, or at one of the passport agencies of the U.S. State Department. Once you receive your passport, be sure to sign it, and then make 3 photocopies of the information page of your passport. If your passport is lost or stolen, it is much easier to obtain a replacement with a photocopy of your original.

Make three copies of your passport: one for you to carry separately in case your passport is lost or stolen, a second send to our office for your file, a third that stays at home with your family.

In addition, make sure you have at least 6 weeks of passport validity AFTER YOU RETURN.

 

To apply for a US Passport: click HERE

 

VISAS

A visa is written permission to visit a country granted by the government of that country. Visas (often student visas) are required by most countries for a semester or full year of study.  In a majority of Latin America, African, Asian and Oceanic countries, visas are required of all visitors no matter the duration of the stay. To determine if a visa is necessary, contact the embassy or nearest consulate of the country(ies) you plan to visit. 
If from the US, the nearest consulate is based upon the state of residence. Example: the Spanish consulate for Tennessee is in Houston. 
 
Some countries require transit visas for people to change planes at their airports -- particularly the Schengen countries in Europe. What is Schengen? The Schengen Area is an area encompassing 29 European countries that have officially abolished border controls at their mutual borders.
For more information on the Schengen countries visa rules, click HERE
 
If a visa is necessary for your study abroad experience, apply directly to the embassy or consulate of the country(ies) in question. Obtaining a visa can be a long and complicated process. You cannot get your visa until you have a passport, so begin the process as soon as possible. Important for Non-US Citizens: If you are traveling on a passport other than a U.S. passport, you should check with the nearest consulate of the country to which you are traveling in order to determine whether a visa will be required. Do this as far in advance as possible, and notify our office of the documentation you will need to apply for your visa. You should check with the local consulate of your home country to determine whether there are any passport or travel regulations of which you need to be aware. You should also investigate whether you will need to apply for a new visa to re-enter the U.S. upon completion of the program.  Make a copy of your visa as well!