Passports and Visas
You will need a passport to travel abroad. Visa requirements differ significantly by country. Make sure you are aware of any visas you might need.
Passports
You will need a passport to go abroad. You should start applying for or renewing your passport at least three months before you depart. If you already have a passport, check the expiration date - most countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your travel.
Where to apply for a passport:
- The RIT Education Abroad office typically hosts two Passport Drives annually in the Fall and Spring semesters (email global@rit.edu to ask about upcoming dates). During this event, the Monroe County Clerk is on campus to take passport photos, process passport applications, and renew passports. See the links below to find out what forms of I.D. are required and the associated costs.
- Monroe County Clerk office in downtown Rochester
- Henrietta Post Office
- Henrietta Town Clerk Office
- Check your hometown county clerk or local post office
- Passport photos may be taken at Walgreens, CVS, Staples, FedEx Office locations, or at a local post office.
- State Department Passport Requirements: Use this wizard to determine what forms, fees, and identification you will need
Visas
Your student visa is an official government document that temporarily authorizes you to be in the country you are traveling to, so providing the required documents needed to apply for a visa to the RIT Education Abroad office in a timely manner is an important part of your study abroad application.
Visa requirements for U.S. citizens differ significantly by country. Make sure you are aware of any visas you might need. If you are traveling to RIT Global Campuses, your study abroad advisor will direct you to the RIT Global staff member that will assist you in the visa application process. If you are going through an affiliate program, contact them to verify whether or not you need a visa.
- Will You Need a Visa? Quick check to see if you will need a visa in-country or when traveling
- General Visa Information: Search by country to understand the visa process for your host country
Before Starting the Visa Process
- Prior to applying for study abroad, check the expiration date on your passport. Visa approval requires that your passport be valid for a minimum of six months past the end date of your program. If necessary, you can apply to renew your passport through the local post office, or county clerk office.
- Complete your profile and application in the Compass.
- Upload a scanned copy of your passport, and add your health insurance information (name on policy and number) under the ‘Insurance’ tab.
- Upon acceptance into the program, you will receive an email from the RIT Global office notifying you of the results and providing instructions with next steps.