Passports 

In order to travel abroad, you must have a passport that will be active and valid for at least six months after your selected program has ended. For many study abroad programs, a passport will be necessary to secure a visa.

Passport processing times are significantly delayed (10-13 weeks of estimated processing time!), so apply as soon as possible. Apply using expedited processing (6-8 weeks of estimated processing time) to ensure you have your passport information far in advance of your departure (you’ll need it for visas and program registrations). Students who are planning to study abroad next term may need to pursue emergency passport appointments. Please speak with your Global Learning Advisor as soon as possible.

If you aren't sure if you need to renew your passport, check the expiration date and make sure it is valid for 6 months after the end date of your study abroad program. Remember, adult passports are valid for 10 years.

For information on how to apply for or renew your passport visit the U.S. Department of State passport application page. 

Students with non-US passports: please refer to your home country’s passport authorities for renewing a passport. 

International students must also verify your U.S. student visa status in order to travel out of the U.S. and return to the U.S. when your program is complete. If you are on an F1 or J1 visa and you have questions, you MUST check in with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services.

Visas

A visa is a special stamp in your original passport which often requires a separate application process prior to departure. You are required to obtain a visa if it is required by the country. The visa requirements may differ depending on your nationality. If you are not sure if the country you are going to requires a visa, please refer to the consular section of the embassy website. 

Often, the visa process can take weeks or months to complete and requires proof of acceptance into a program (meaning you cannot apply for a visa in advance of program admissions decisions). You should be prepared to follow any instructions provided by your program or Education Abroad through channels such as your Terpmail email or MyEA account. Please note that while Education Abroad may provide guidance for some visa processes to the best of our ability, we do not control the requirements or timelines for visas - this is strictly under the discretion of the consular authorities. Visa processes may change at any time without notice.