PASSPORTS
It normally takes about 2 – 6 weeks to apply for a passport, sometimes longer if last during the busy summer season, so don’t delay!

If you are traveling or studying abroad, all travelers and students must have a valid passport. The passport is your official identification as a citizen of that country. If your, American it is issued by the Department of State, and is good for a period of 10 years. You must have a valid passport on your person to show border and customs authorities when you enter or leave the United States or when crossing most other national borders.

When travelling keep your passport in a safe place and take a photocopy. Losing a passport while you are abroad is not the end-of-the-world, but it will be a problem, since the procedures for being issued another are very complicated and often extremely time consuming.

If you already have a passport but it will expire before your trip is completed abroad, you should apply for a new passport before you depart from the U.S/Canada. Your current passport usually suffices for identification of your birth and citizenship, but new photos and the fee are of course required.

Domestic loss or theft of a valid passport should be reported in writing immediately to Passport Services, or to the nearest passport agency. If the loss occurs while abroad, you should IMMEDIATELY notify the nearest US/Canadian consulate or embassy. Theft of a passport should also be reported to local police authorities.

It is important to remember that your passport is your most important legal document while traveling overseas. In some countries it is required that aliens carry their passports at all times. Guard and store your passport carefully and do not travel away from your study abroad or travel site, particularly away from your host country without your passport.

Useful web links:
USA Citizen: http://iafdb.travel.state.gov
Canadian Citizen: http://www.ppt.gc.ca
UK Citizen: http://www.ukpa.gov.uk

VISAS
A visa is official permission to visit a country and is granted by the government of that country. Visa formats vary considerably, from a simple stamp imprinted on one of the pages in your passport at the time you enter the country to an official document with your photograph attached.

For Americans and Canadians, some countries require advance processing of visas while other countries require no advance processing for brief visits, usually up to three months.

If you plan to do ANY travel beyond the country where your program or travel takes place, you must check the visa requirements for all the countries you plan to visit by contacting the nearest consulate for that country.

You may also be required to submit your official acceptance letters to the program from your host school or university abroad with the visa application. Please save or copy your official acceptance letters.

Useful web links:
USA Citizen: http://www.g3visas.com
USA Citizen: http://travel.state.gov/visa_services.html
Canadian Citizen: http://www.geocities.com/canadians_abroad/visas2.htm

REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS
Due to specific health concerns and conditions in various countries, proof that you have received certain immunizations may be required upon arrival in that country of beforehand. If you are going to such a country, an official record of your immunizations must be carried with you and is usually asked for when you enter the country and have also to show your passport and required visa.

You can demonstrate that you have had the required immunizations by having this information listed on an "International Certificate of vaccinations." This form is issued by the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare and approved by the World Health Organization. It is obtainable from your local Department of Health, a passport office, or from many physicians and travel agencies. It must be filled out and dated by the physician or medical clinic which provides the immunizations.

ADDITIONAL USEFUL LINKS TO WEBSITES
US embassies abroad
A complete listing of locations around the world:
http://usembassy.state.gov/

Travel warnings
US Dept. of State travel warnings on locations around the world:
http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html

Center for disease control and prevention
A good site which gives general information for those travelling abroad:
http://www.cdc.gov/

Travel resource page
This links to Languages Abroad own travel resource page, with many useful links
http://www.languagesabroad.com/traveltips.html