Next Steps to Prepare for Departure
Once you have been approved by the University of Pacific to participate in an Education Abroad program, you will need to pay careful attention to various details, required forms, and deadlines.
Obtain a Passport / Renew Current Passport
Your passport will be your primary source of identification while
abroad. Your passport must be valid for the length of time you plan to
stay abroad plus six months beyond that estimated period.
Processing times for passports can be several weeks long. You will
need a passport in order to obtain your visa. Thus, students needing a
visa need to allow plenty of time for the entire process.
Instructions for obtaining or renewing a passport can be found at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return
date to the U.S.
- If you need passport photos, view our "Passport
Photo Locations list".
- Non-U.S. Citizens: Contact the nearest consulate or embassy
of your country of citizenship for passport information.
Arrange Transportation
The following are suggested websites to purchase your airline
tickets. You should also check with your program regarding group flights
and do your own search on the internet or with individual airlines and
travel agencies. It is the student's responsibility to arrange for
airfare. IPS does not make travel arrangements for students.
Student Travel and Airfare www.sta.com
Student Universe www.studentuniverse.com
Travelosophy www.itravelosophy.com
TravelZoo www.travelzoo.com
Cheap Tickets www.cheaptickets.com
One Travel www.onetravel.com
Travelocity www.travelocity.com
Air Travel Network www.airtravel.net
Kayak www.kayak.com
Visa
A visa is a document, provided by the country where you will be
studying, that confirms your legitimate status as a foreign student.
Visas are attached to the pages of your passport, which is one of the
reasons having a valid passport is necessary before you can apply for a
visa. Some visas are free and easy to acquire, while others may cost
over $100 and require a great deal of documentation and planning ahead.
Not all countries require visas. To determine whether you will need a
visa, and for instructions on how to apply, look up your host country here.
Here is a list of common documents needed to obtain a visa:
- Letter of Acceptance- This refers to an official
letter of acceptance or invitation to participate in the education
abroad program from either your program provider or your host
university.
- Proof of Insurance- An insurance card or other
document verifying that you have travel and health insurance. Some
education abroad programs require students to purchase the program's
health insurance. In this case, an insurance card or documentation will
come with your acceptance and/or pre-departure materials.
- Proof of Sufficient Funds- Some countries require
proof that you have sufficient financial support to pay for all of your
expenses abroad. You may be asked to provide a bank statement with your
current balance, a financial award letter, etc. to show that you have
enough money to pay for yourself while abroad.
- Plane Tickets- Your plane ticket will serve as your
primary travel document. Some countries will require you to show that
you have a return or ongoing flight scheduled within the allotted time
for your visa.
- Prescriptions- If you require prescription
medications while abroad, you will likely need to verify this
requirement with a physician's note. You may need a specially notarized
prescription, translated into the host country language, if the country
does not recognize US prescriptions.
- Confirmation of Good Health- Some countries will
require you to provide a health form, or letter of good health
(confirmation that you are free from certain diseases, etc.).
- Confirmation of Vaccination- Proof of having
received certain vaccinations may be required to travel in regions with
endemic diseases, like cholera, yellow fever, etc.
- Translations and Notaries- Some documents must be
notarized and/or translated from English to the host country's language.
There is a free notary service located in the Finance Center on the
Stockton campus. Please call 946-2345 to make an appointment. For
translation services, check your local yellow pages, or the Catholic
Charities Immigration Services, who are located in Stockton and have
certified translators who will translate documents for a fee (444-5910).