Passports

You must have a passport book that will be valid during the dates of your education abroad program and for at least six months past your program end date.

US citizens may apply for a passport at any office of the US Passport Agency, at one of the federal or state court houses, or at any authorized US Postal Office. Passport applications and instructions can be found here.

If you do not have a passport or if your passport is due to expire soon, you must apply for one or renew it as soon as you have any interest in applying for an education abroad program. You will need a valid passport book in hand before applying for any required visas, and for some countries, visa processing times may take weeks… or months. Make sure your passport is ready!

Passport cards are not a valid form of travel documentation. You must have a passport book.

Visas

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of your host country which allows you to enter and lawfully remain in that country. It is often a stamp or sticker placed on one of your passport pages.

You may need to apply for a visa weeks or months before you depart, or you may be able to get a visa upon arrival in the country. Visas also outline the country’s regulations concerning study and working permissions. Most students need a visa to study abroad!

How to Get a Visa

Start your research early! It is your responsibility to understand the requirements and processes for entering your host country. SUNY Brockport cannot obtain visas for you.

For more information about foreign entry requirements for US citizens, visit the U.S. Department of State website. SUNY Brockport may not have sufficient knowledge of visa requirements for students who are not US citizens, but can offer support and advice where able.

In cases where you need to apply for a visa before you depart, you may be required to travel to the closest Consulate or Embassy to submit your application. Please be aware of visa processing times, the cost of travel to the Consulate or Embassy (if applicable), and plan accordingly.

Even if a visa may not be required before you depart, appropriate acceptance letters and financial documentation are required for entry into the country.

Our staff does its best to keep students informed about visa regulations, but due to ever-changing travel requirements, we are unable to guarantee that we have the most up-to-date information. Students are ultimately responsible for this information and for getting the appropriate travel documents.