Although studying abroad is one of the greatest experiences of your college career, preparing for your time away can be tedious. Proper documentation is required for entry to foreign countries and for re-entry into the U.S. Each country has its own special requirements for entry. Find out what these requirements are, and plan in advance; obtaining documents from embassies or consulates can take from one hour up to three months. The Office of International Programs and your program provider will supply details and assistance in obtaining some documents, but you should read through the following information so you know what to expect.
Passports
Visas
Travel
Due to new immigration regulations, passport applications have increased considerably and may take several months to process. APPLY WELL IN ADVANCE OF YOUR PLANNED DEPARTURE.Citizens of the United States are required to have a valid U.S. Passport in order to enter a foreign country and to re-enter the U.S. Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Please check with the embassy or consulate of the country in which you plan to study for their specific requirements (www.embassy.org/embassies).
Applying for a passport
If you already have a passport and if that passport was issued within the past 12 years, after your 18th birthday, you are eligible to apply by mail. If you do not meet these requirements, you must apply in person. If you have an old passport that has expired and it was issued before your 18th birthday, you must apply for a new passport in person as if it were your first.
For additional information on application procedures, requirements, or passport offices contact the U.S. State Department's Web site.
Where to apply
Application for a U.S. Passport can be made at any authorized passport office, passport agency, or courthouse across the U.S. Many post offices now offer passport services as well. To find one near you, go to the U.S. State Department’s website . Below are the two passport agencies in Pennsylvania .
Pittsburgh Passport Office
Allegheny County Clerk of Courts, Rm 222
436 Grant Street
Pittsburgh , PA 15219
Hours: M-F 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Phone: 412-350-6071
NOTE: On the First and Third Thursday of each month operating hours are 11:30AM to 7:30PM
Philadelphia Passport Agency
U.S. Custom House
200 Chestnut Street
Room 103
Philadelphia , PA 19106-2970
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. , local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays
Automated Appointment Number: 1-877-487-2778
NOTE:Philadelphia Passport Agency serves customers who are traveling within 2 weeks (14 days), or who need foreign visas for travel. An appointment is required.
What to bring with you
- Completed Application Form
Application can be filled out when you go to get your passport, assuming that you have all of the required personal information. If you are applying by mail, please send all materials by Certified Mail or Federal Express so you have a receipt.
You can also obtain a passport application at the U.S. Department of State website at http://travel.state.gov/passport
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship - You may prove U.S. Citizenship with any one of the following:
- A previous U.S. Passport, if you have one.
- A birth certificate, if you were born in the U.S.A. The certificate must be issued by the state, city or county of your birth. Please note: photocopies are not acceptable.
- A Certificate of Naturalization or a Certificate of Citizenship, if you were not born in the U.S.A.
- Proof of Identity - Any of the following items along with your Social Security Number will be acceptable:
- A previous U.S. passport
- A current, valid Driver's License
- Government or military ID
- Two Passport Photographs
- 2x2 inches in size
- Identical
- Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
- Color
- Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
- Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
- Taken in normal street attire
These can be acquired at the Passport Office for a fee of $10. Otherwise, they can be obtained at almost any photo lab or camera shop for a similar fee (often more expensive).
Fees
The passport fee is $75. The execution fee is $25. The total is $100. In many passport offices cash is not accepted. Please note that the Pittsburgh Passport Office does not accept cash.
Note: When applying at one of the thousands of designated application acceptance facilities in the U.S. , you pay the passport fee and the security surcharge to the '' U.S. Department of State'' and the execution fee to the facility where you are applying. Acceptable forms of payment vary. When applying at a Regional Passport Agency, both fees and the surcharge are combined into one payment to the ''U.S. Department of State'' and may be paid by check (personal, certified, travelers''), major credit card (V, MC, AE, Discover), bank draft or cashier''s check, money order (U.S. Postal, international, currency exchange), or if abroad, the foreign currency equivalent, or a check drawn on a U.S. bank.
Important Notes
Applications normally take 6 weeks to process. It is therefore strongly advised that students apply several months before they plan to go abroad.
In order to obtain a visa from a foreign embassy or consulate, students must first obtain a U.S. Passport. Therefore, additional time will be required above and beyond the acquisition of the U.S. Passport. Applications for visas can take anywhere from two to six weeks, depending upon the country to which one is applying and the time of year.
Expedited service is available, but only when done in person. Requests are normally processed in 7-10 working days, but may be accelerated with proof of impending departure, i.e. a travel itinerary. An additional fee of $73 is charged.
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A visa is an endorsement issued by a foreign country and placed in a passport to show that the passport has been examined so that the holder may enter and travel within their country. If a visa is needed, then it generally must be obtained before going abroad. If a visa is needed and you do not have one, then you will not be permitted to enter the country to which you are traveling. Please note, however, that a visa cannot be obtained until you have a valid U.S. Passport.
Applying for a visa
In order to get a visa, you will have to apply to the nearest consulate or embassy of the country to which you wish to travel. The application process will entail sending your passport, along with an application and supporting materials, to the foreign consulate or embassy. In most cases, a letter will be required from the institution in which you wish to study stating that you are approved or pre-registered for courses at the host institution. The consulate will examine your passport and supporting materials and will issue you a visa, attaching it to your passport, for the amount of time needed to complete your program
Things to consider
It is the responsibility of the traveler to obtain visas, where and when required, from the appropriate consulate or embassy. However, some study abroad programs will assist you to some degree in obtaining a visa. Be sure to inquire into the requirements of the country to which you will be traveling as well as what specific procedures are required for the program in which you are participating. For specific information about visas, check with your program provider.
Information on visas and consulate phone numbers and addresses is maintained in the Office of International Programs.
Information about specific countries and entry requirements can be found at http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html or http://www.embassy.org/embassies.
Obtaining a visa can take a fair amount of time; so start early. The application process can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks, depending on the country which you are applying and the time of year. But even before this, it may take several weeks to prepare the documents that are required for the application. For instance, it is not uncommon that a country will ask for medical, financial and criminal clearance forms to be filled out and certified by the proper people or agencies. This often requires having a physical examination, blood tests, immunization shots or boosters, criminal clearance forms from local police, proof of traveler's insurance, and sometimes a statement by your local bank official claiming that you or your parents are solvent. Again, all of this takes time; so start as early as possible.
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Travel services vary depending on program provider. Each will supply you with details on international and local travel arrangements for your specific study abroad destination.
The US State Department hosts a Students Abroad website with general tips on international travel as well as country specific information (consular information sheets).
The following are online resources that may assist you in travel related inquiries:
CNN Travel Page: www.cnn.com/travel
CNN Weather Page: www.cnn.com/weather
STA Travel (student travel): www.statravel.com
International Student Identity Card: http://www.statravel.com/Statravel/cards/cards or www.myisic.com
Transitions Abroad magazine: www.transitionsabroad.com
International Youth Hostels/American Youth Hostels: www.Hiayh.org
Eurail pass: www.eurail.com
Let’s Go guidebooks: www.letsgo.com
Lonely Planet guidebooks: www.lonelyplanet.com
Frommers travel: www.frommers.com
Rough Guide guidebooks: www.travel.roughguides.com
Guava (Travel magazine for women) www.guavamag.com
Currency converter: www.xe.net/ucc or www.oanda.com
Worldwide Internet Café Guide: www.netcafeguide.com/frames.html
Hardware and software tips for your laptop while traveling: www.roadnews.com and www.teleadapt.com
Hostels Worldwide: www.hostelz.com back to top |
