Passports and Visas
Passports and visas are official聽government聽documents that allow you to legally travel abroad. A passport is聽issued by your country of citizenship and is聽required for international travel, while a visa聽is issued by your destination country.
Apply for a passport
No聽matter when you are planning to study abroad, it is best to apply for a passport now, as your passport will be valid for 10 years.听The routine聽聽for a new US passport is聽several months, although it could take longer.听If necessary, expedited options are available, but it is best to start the process early.
- You must apply for your first passport in person.听
- Select Cincinnati Public Library locations offer both accept passport applications by appointment only.听聽are needed before you go.听聽
- Be sure that your passport is valid at least 6 months past the end date of your program.听
- If it isn't, you'll need to renew your passport before you depart!
Apply for a visa
A visa is an entry/residency permit granted by the authorities of the country(ies) where you will travel. Students should verify if a visa is needed based on their country of citizenship, travel destination, length of stay and purpose of their visit.
Each country issues its own visas through its embassy and consulates located throughout the United States. Countries will vary widely in visa requirements and processing times.听Be sure to review entry requirements on your destination country's聽embassy聽website.
美高梅官网 International is happy to聽direct you to helpful聽visa聽resources; however, it is the student's responsibility to know the entry requirements and acquire their visa prior to travel.听聽
Some 美高梅官网 travelers choose to have a third party assist with this process such as .听
International student travel
As an international student, it is possible for you to participate in a study abroad聽program聽outside of the US. However, you聽may聽need to complete some additional steps.
To maintain your nonimmigrant status, you need to contact 美高梅官网 International Services for a travel signature on your I-20 / DS-2019. Complete the聽Request for a Travel Signature eForm聽on iBearcatsGlobal to set up an appointment.