Skip To Content Skip To Menu Skip To Footer

Global Study and Engagement

View Menu
+ Share

Passports and Visas

Passports

Students are required to have a passport that is valid at least six months after the end of the program to enter the country. Students who do not have a current or valid passport should apply as soon as possible as processing times vary. If your program requires a visa, you cannot apply for the visa until you receive your passport. It is extremely important not to delay this process. 

For US citizens, visit the US State Department for further instructions. For non-US citizens, please check with the relevant office for your country of citizenship. 

Visas

Most countries will require that you obtain a visa, an endorsement placed within a passport that grants official permission to enter, leave or stay in a country for a specified time period. Obtaining a visa is your responsibility as a study abroad participant. The application process will vary by country and may take several weeks or months. It's important that you follow any instructions provided by Dickinson, your host institution or Partner program organization.

Visa costs and related expenses are the responsibility of the student. The cost of obtaining a visa varies by program location, citizenship, and consulate. In some cases, the student may be able to apply online or by mail, but in other cases, the student will be required to apply in person - either in the US or in their country of citizenship. Any travel related expenses for obtaining the visa are the responsibility of the student. 

Visa processing times vary greatly and the CGSE cannot guarantee that a visa will be issued within a specific timeframe. Some countries allow expedited processes, often for a fee, while others do not. In many cases, students are required to surrender their physical passport while the visa is processing. Therefore, it is extremely important students understand the visa requirements and timelines before planning any international travel before the start of the program. Depending on the visa requirements independent travel may not be possible before the start of the program. This is especially important for students studying abroad in the fall and planning any international travel during the summer. 

If you are planning to study abroad on two different semester programs, you will need to determine if the academic calendars align while still allowing adequate time to obtain a visa for the second program. This often requires returning to the U.S. or your home country between programs. It is not always possible to complete the visa process between study abroad semesters. Students are encouraged to make an advising appointment with the Center for Global Study and Engagement if they are planning to participate in two different semester programs. 

Students participating in a Partner program will recieve detailed visa instructions from their program provider, if applicable. 

Visa Guidelines for Dickinson Programs 

These guides are intended to help students prepare for the visa process. Please note that visa requirements and procedures can change with little or no notice. The Center for Global Study & Engagement (CGSE) strongly recommends reviewing this guide before applying to study abroad to ensure that visa timelines and requirements do not conflict with other academic, travel, or personal commitments. Visa requirements may differ based on your citizenship status. If you are an international student or hold dual citizenship, please consult CGSE early to understand how this may affect your visa process.

These guides are intended to be a planning tool to help you understand the general visa process. Once accepted into a program, you will receive a detailed visa guide including key dates, deadlines, required documents, and action items specific to your program via email and through the program D2L Brightspace pre-departure course.