Your Passport and Visa
Passports for U.S. Citizens
You must have a passport to participate in any education abroad program. U.S. passport applications are available online at travel.state.gov. Passport applications require an original or certified copy of the applicant's birth certificate and a $145 fee for new passports (passport renewals cost $110), as of January 2021 (prices subject to change). Passport photos are available at many local drug stores' photo departments. Visit www.usps.com/passport/ for a list of all post offices processing passport applications. Allow at least 4-6 weeks for routine service and 2-3 weeks for expedited service (for an additional $60; prices are subject to change).Passports for Non-U.S. Citizens
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you will still need a passport and visa to travel. Here is a list of local consulates and embassies:- Mexico (San Bernardino): https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/sanbernardino
- Philippines (LA): www.philippineconsulatela.org
- Canada (LA): www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/us-eu/los_angeles.aspx
- Others: https://embassy-finder.com/
Visas and Other Entry Requirements
Each country has different entry requirements and procedures. Generally, you will need to:- determine if there is a need for a visa given the program activities, location(s), and duration;
- identify the consulate or embassy which has jurisdiction over visa issuance;
- obtain up-to-date visa instructions from the consulate or embassy; and
- submit the visa application, passport, and other supporting documents according to the instructions provided.
Further Reading
Information about entry requirements (i.e., visas, immunizations, additional fees, etc.) can be found at www.cdc.gov/travel/ (traveler health) and https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/ (traveler advisories). For additional information, visit the traveler's checklist on the U.S. Department of State website.Finally, review our info session, "How to Get a Passport and Visa 101."