U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. Certain countries may also require a visa that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific reason. 

Passport & Visas

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. Certain countries may also require a visa that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific reason.  

Passports 

If you don't already have one, you should apply for a passport immediately. You should plan on at least six to eight weeks for standard processing. 

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. New U.S. passports take six to eight weeks for processing, depending on the time of the year. Passports are valid for ten years. Apply early to avoid complications caused by misplaced original birth certificates and similar problems. 

Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded at the U.S. Department of State website. This site will also link you to the procedures and the form for renewing your passport. This can take just as long as applying for a new passport. For complete information about passport services, visit the U.S. Department of State. 

If you need more detailed information, review the back of your passport application. If you still have questions or need to renew your current passport, please contact a post office. 

Once you have your passport, be sure to sign it and fill in the emergency information page. Take extra photos abroad in case you lose your passport and need to have it replaced quickly. 

Renew your passport by mail 

Visit the U.S. Department of State website to learn about the steps to renew your passport by mail. 

Visas 

A visa is an entry/residency permit and official permission granted by the authorities of the countries where you will study or travel which allows you to enter and remain in that country. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa (and the entire "passport-plus-visa process" may take three to four months, so start early). If you are a U.S. citizen (carrying a U.S. passport), a visa is not required by most Western European countries if you are spending fewer than three months in the country. However, the regulations change regularly, so check with the Office for Education Abroad or the embassy/consulate of your host country. 

The cost and requirements for obtaining visas vary. It is your responsibility to determine visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad. This includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your education abroad program. You can do so by consulting a travel agent, calling the consular offices of those countries, or checking the Travel Document Systems website. 

You may be denied entry into, or be deported from, a country for which you have not obtained a required visa. The Office of Study Abroad and Cal Poly Pomona are not responsible for obtaining visas, nor are they in any way responsible for visa or entry denial. For some countries, certain medical requirements must be met before a visa will be issued. Many countries will not issue visas to persons with any type of police record! 

NOTE: If you are not U.S. passport holder, you should also consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements. You should check the U.S. Department of State websites for Foreign Consulate Office listings and for the listings of Embassies and Consulates. 

The procedures that you will follow may be different than those for U.S. passport holders. It is important to initiate this process as soon as possible in order to assemble documents and allow time for lengthy procedures. International students must visit the International Students and Scholars Office at the International Center to obtain a signature on documents to permit re-entry into the United States.