For U.S. Citizens, a valid, unexpired passport is required for international travel. If you don’t have a passport or need to renew, it’s important to apply early! Passport processing can take up to 14 weeks from the time you submit your application. If you already have a passport, make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months past the date of your anticipated return; if it is not, renew it ASAP. 

Depending on the location and duration of your study abroad program, you may also need to apply for a visa. If that is the case, visa applications require that you have a valid passport. For some countries, when you apply for a visa, you must surrender your passport. Keep this in mind when scheduling trips before your study away.

How to Apply

Duke Global has compiled a comprehensive guide to applying for a passport. This guide covers the forms you need to fill out, the type of photos you will need to take beforehand, and the required documentation you’ll need to present. Additionally, the U.S. State Department’s site should be your definitive guide for the most up-to-date information. 

If you are applying for a new passport (or replacing one that was lost or stolen), you must appear in person at a Passport Acceptance Facility. These facilities are usually post offices or government offices. The closest facilities to Duke are: 

  • Durham Post Office at 323 East Chapel Hill Street 
  • North Carolina Central University at 1801 Fayetteville Street

Both locations require an appointment, which you will need to make well in advance. If you are having trouble finding an appointment nearby, return to the Passport Acceptance Facility database and widen your search.

Passport Costs

Review the State Department website to see the most updated fees. In urgent cases, and for a large fee, there are rush services available, that can expedite the process. However, the timeline is not guaranteed.

You will also need to budget for passport photos. You can get official passport photos taken at the FedEx or Durham Pack & Ship on 9th Street, which will cost around $15 for two photos. Many drugstores also offer this service. Please review the passport photo requirements before taking your photo.

If you receive financial aid at Duke, you may be eligible for assistance to pay for the fees associated with obtaining a passport. Please contact your financial aid counselor for more information. The Office of Global Affairs also supports a Duke Student Passport Fund to assist with passport-related expenses.

Visas

Most students need a visa to study abroad. A visa is your host country’s authorization for you to enter and stay in the country for a particular reason and timeframe. It is often a stamp or sticker 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. Find out the rules for your host country by visiting the U.S. Department of State’s website and researching your destination's entry, exit, and visa requirements for students.

Start early! It is your responsibility to understand the requirements and application process for entering your host country. Be aware that the requirements often depend on the duration of your study abroad program.

How to Get a Visa

You must apply for a visa through the host country’s consulate or embassy assigned to the state where you live or go to school. Specific application procedures vary from consulate to consulate, even for the same country. It is vital to check directly with the consulate that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s website and search for your host country. Get started by reading about entry, exit, and visa requirements, and then follow the link to your host country's consulate or embassy. 

If you are studying abroad through a U.S.-based program provider, be sure to follow the visa instructions your program provides. Your provider knows what has worked for past students, so pay close attention! The program may give you specific guidelines about how to apply for a visa and provide you with essential supporting documents.

Be aware that the visa application process may vary by the applicant's citizenship, so do not assume that your instructions and a friend's will be the same.

Visa Processing May Take Weeks ... or Months.

Visa application and processing times vary greatly. You typically cannot start the application process until 90 days before your planned departure. You will need to have your study abroad acceptance information in hand. The process can then take a few weeks or months, so be sure to start as early as you can.

Source: Cornell University, “Get Your Visa”

Non-U.S. Citizens

As an International Student, having a valid, unexpired passport is essential while studying here in the U.S. If your passport is about to expire, please be sure to follow the procedures of the country of issuance of your passport to have it renewed as soon as possible. Please be sure to check the procedures and processing times well in advance of having to renew. Also, if you have any questions about your status as an international student in the U.S., be sure to consult with Duke Visa Services. 

International students may need a visa when U.S. passport holders may not. Use the information about visas above and work with your GEO advisor or program manager to ensure that you have all the materials you need to apply for your visa as early as possible. 

Questions? 

If you have any questions about applying for a passport, please let a GEO advisor know. We would be happy to help or point you in the direction of someone who can.