Passports and Visas

Passports

You must obtain your own passport. We urge you to apply for (or renew) your passport as soon as you have decided to take part in the program. Some countries require passports be valid for six to seven months beyond the end of the program. To apply for or renew a passport you must:

• obtain an application from a passport office, state or federal court with naturalization jurisdiction or local post office and supply requested information
• submit proof of citizenship (birth certificate with raised seal), proof of identity (driver’s license or similar document) and two identical passport-size photos (2” x 2”) and pay the fee.

Applications can take 3 - 12 weeks to process. Apply early for your program and immediately afterward for a passport.

Visas

AIFS handles arrangements for group visas as required for Russia. Information on visa requirements for other program sites will be detailed in pre-departure information and AIFS sends participants the necessary instructions.

A passport number and expiration date is needed for each visa application, so it is essential students have valid passports well in advance and meet enrollment deadlines. Visas for an entire group may be delayed if a student does not obtain a passport by the date AIFS specifies for certain programs.

Travelers not allowed to board at an airport because they do not have the correct or sufficient travel documents must assume all consequences. Failure to meet deadlines or obtain a visa does not constitute grounds for deviation from the standard refund policy.

Passports are required of everyone traveling outside the U.S. on AIFS programs. Non-U.S. citizens may be required to obtain visas to enter certain countries. For more information, check with the Washington, DC embassy for each country you will visit. Non-U.S. citizens are responsible for securing visas needed and must allow several weeks—or months—for this process.