To all governments, your national 'identity' is of major importance. If any such authority should have questions about who you are or where you come from, you must be able to answer them. What follows is a guide to how to acquire and secure the essential verification documents needed for trouble-free travel and return.
Passports are issued at any office of the U.S. Passport Agency directly or by mail via one of the federal or state courts or U.S. post offices authorized to accept passport applications. For more information,write to
National Passport Information Center
1-900-255-5674
The completed passport application for those who have never been issued a passport by the U.S. before must be accompanied by:
If you already have a U.S. passport AND IT WILL EXPIRE BEFORE YOU COMPLETE YOUR TIME ABROAD, you should apply for a new passport before you depart from the U.S. Your current passport usually suffices for identification of your birth and citizenship, but new photos and the fee are of course required.
DO NOT DELAY APPLYING FOR A PASSPORT. THE PROCESS TAKES A MINIMUM OF TWO TO FOUR WEEKS, EVEN LONGER IN THE BUSY SEASON DO IT NOW.
Your passport is your most important legal document while traveling overseas. In some countries, it is required that you carry it at all times. Do what your program asks. Guard it VERY CAREFULLY. Never travel away from your study abroad site, and particularly away from your host country, without your passport.
Losing a passport while you are overseas is not the end-of-the-world, but it will seem like it, since the procedures for being issued another are very complicated and often extremely time-consuming. At home, loss or theft of a valid passport should be reported in writing immediately to Passport Services (address above), or to the nearest passport agency. If the loss occurs while abroad, you should IMMEDIATELY notify the nearest US consulate or embassy, and of course your program or institution. Theft of a passport should also be reported to local police authorities.
If you plan to do any travel beyond the country where the program takes place, you should check the visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit by contacting the nearest consulate for that country. Single copies of "Visa Requirements of Foreign Governments" (Publication M-264), a publication that lists the entry requirements for US citizens traveling to most foreign countries, are available free from:
http://travisa.com offers information on visa requirements and the application process.
You may be required to submit your official acceptance letters to the program or foreign institution with the visa application. Save your acceptance letters (or copies) in a safe place until needed.
Non-U.S. Citizens:
Visa procedures and customs requirements
are different for students holding non-United States
passports. U.S permanent residents must check with the US
Immigration Service concerning regulations for re-entry into
the U.S.. It is important to verify procedures, especially if
you might be outside the U.S. for more than one year, to
permit re-entry to the U.S. International students studying
in the U.S. should find out if leaving the U.S will cause
difficulties for re-entering this country. Overseas
communications may be needed, and this can be time-consuming.
You can demonstrate that you have had the required immunizations by having this information listed on an "International Certificate of Vaccinations." This form is issued by the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare and approved by the World Health Organization. It is obtainable from your local Department of Health, a passport office, or from many physicians and travel agencies. It must be filled out and dated by the physician or medical clinic which provides the immunizations. Your campus Health Services might be able to provide this form, as well as give the needed inoculations and other assistance, or it can refer you to clinics where these can be obtained.
Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)
205 East 42nd St.
New York, NY 10017
Phone: 1-888-COUNCIL
AND
STA Travel
7202 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90004
http://www.statravel/comP>
It is one of the most widely
recognized forms of proof of your student status. Other ISIC
benefits include low airfares, and discounts on travel. In the
event of serious injury or death, it also provides emergency
evacuation and the repatriation of remains--coverage which
supplements what is covered by the health care plan of your
institution (if it applies overseas) and most private health
care plans.
Purchase of this card is highly recommended. Its cost is $18.00, an amount you are likely to earn back in savings, perhaps many times over. The ISIC is valid for one January-to-January calendar year, but can be purchased in advance. Information on benefits and the card itself can be obtained directly from any Council Travel office, or by mail from CIEE in New York. To receive the card, you must bring or send a passport photo and proof that you are a currently enrolled student, along with the application form and payment.
