Passports & Visas

Please note: The U.S. Passport office is currently experiencing delays in processing passports, as of July 23, 2021. It may take up to eighteen weeks to recieve a passport, and twelve weeks for expedited processing. Visit travel.state.gov for additional information and current processing times.

Passports

A valid passport is required to travel to, and study or intern in, another country. If you do not already have one, you should apply for a passport as soon as you’re able to do so, especially if the destination country requires a visa for the type of program you select.

If you are a U.S. citizen, the U.S. Department of State can issue you a valid U.S. passport. The State Department may take up to six weeks to process your passport application, so plan ahead! If you already have a passport, make sure that it is valid at least six months beyond the last day you will be abroad. Immigration officials may stop you at an international border if your passport is set to expire within six months.

You can obtain a U.S. passport application and information at major post offices, some public libraries, and a number of county and municipal offices. for more information, visit the Apply For or Renew My Passport page on the State Department website.

If you need a U.S. passport or replacement quickly for any reason, visit the Get a Passport in a Hurry page on the State Department website. If you are abroad and need to replace your passport, visit the local embassy or consulate.

It’s always smart to carry with you a digital and hard copy of your passport’s photo page, so be sure to make these copies as soon as you have your passport!

Passport Photos

Passport photos are a style of photograph with specifications regarding the size of the photo, what sort of head and facial clothing is permitted, a particular background color, and other specifications. Do not try to take or print passport photos yourself, as the regulations regarding these photos are specific and strict. Although these specifications are often standard, some countries publish a list of their specifications in a list of visa application requirements. There are many places where you can get passport photos, such as Walgreens, CVS, and post offices.

Visas

A visa is a stamp, seal, page, or electronic document that consulate or embassy officials of another country affix or link to your passport. This document allows you to enter that country under a particular status (i.e. student or tourist) and remain for a period of time. Most, if not all, programs with a duration longer than ninety (90) days will require a visa.

Visas and passports are different documents. You must secure your passport first before you may apply for a visa for a given country.

In most cases an immigration official will stamp your visa inside your passport. Most consulates require you to submit your passport along with your visa application. If you don’t already have a valid passport, you should apply for one soon as soon as you’re able, even before you apply for your program. This process can take several weeks to several months, depending on the time of year when you apply.

If you already have a passport, check the expiration date. Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months after your program ends to travel abroad and return legally.

Your Personal Responsibility

It is your responsibility to obtain a valid passport and visa to participate on your program. If you withdraw or do not participate in your program as a result of your failure to hold a valid passport and visa, Cal Lutheran will not refund any of your Program Fees. Please note that all information listed here, as with any information related to visas and associated fees, are subject to change without notice.

The Office of Education Abroad highly recommends that you avoid international travel in the months leading up to your program start date, as that travel may interfere with your ability to obtain a visa in time and participate on your program. You may need to surrender your passport for a given period of time to receive your visa; as a result, you may not be able to travel abroad during that period.  If you have planned international travel between the time you receive an acceptance from the Office of Education Abroad and your program start date, you must contact the Office of Education Abroad immediately for further instructions on how to obtain a visa for your program.

Your passport must be valid for (in other words, must not expire) at least six months after your intended program end date in the host country. Immigration officials reserve the right to deny entry to any traveler that does not possess a valid travel document. It is your responsibility to determine if your current passport is valid for six months beyond the end date for your program. Please be sure to check the date of expiration on your passport and, if necessary, renew your passport as soon as possible so you do not experience delays or problems when applying for a visa.

Visa Resources and Support

The Office of Education Abroadcan help provide basic guidance for you regarding your visa. That said, as visa regulations change quickly–and vary from country to country, student to student–we recommend that you work with an establish visa support provider for the most accurate and efficient assistance. If you would like such support in obtaining your visa, you are welcome to work with one of the following visa providers (or any other provider of your choosing):

For more information about visas for travel abroad to any country, or information on how to contact a specific embassy or consulate, please consult the U.S. Department of State website. If you are an international student, or otherwise hold a passport from another country than the United States, you may contact your country’s embassy or consulate for more information.

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