Simple Guide for Passport and Visa Application

All students looking to study abroad are responsible for obtaining their own passport and visa. A "visa" is a stamp of approval usually put inside your passport and gives you permission to enter the country of choice for the length of time permitted. You will first need a valid passport in order to apply for a visa.

Passport Application

This flowchart can guide you step-by step through your passport application activity.

1. Acquire a blank DS-11 (Passport Application Form).
2. First-time U.S. passport applicants should apply in person at a Passport Acceptance Facility.                         
3. Prove your identity. The following can be used to prove your identity:
4. Previous U.S. passport

•  Naturalization Certificate
•  Certificate of Citizenship
•  Current, valid Driver’s license
•  Government ID: city, state or federal, Military ID: military and dependents.

You need to provide 2 passport photographs. Photos should be:
 2×2 inches in size

• · Identical
• · Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
• · Color or black and white
• · Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
• · Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
• · Taken in normal street attire

Pay the applicable fee and provide a Social Security Number.
Reminders when applying for a U.S.Passport:

• ·    Social Security Cards cannot be used to prove your identity.
• ·    Internal Revenue Service may impose a $500 penalty for failure to provide Social Security Number.
• ·    Passport applications generally take 6 weeks, however if you use overnight delivery and pay a higher fee, they can be processed in as little as 2 weeks. Fees for first-time adult passport issuance are $85.00. In addition, the cost of expedited service has increased to $60.00 so be sure to budget accordingly.
• ·    Check the status of your passport application by calling 1-888-362-8668; flat rate is $5.50 for every call and payable by Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.

Now that you are done and probably now holding your passport, you are now ready to move on to the next step. It’s now time for you to contact the nearest Consular Office of the country you wish to go to. Get the necessary visa document requirements for your student visa.

Most student visas require students to abide by the following:

• · study full-time, with at least 20 hours per week classroom contact time
• · attend at least 80% of scheduled classes
• · achieve satisfactory progress in all enrolled subjects
• · be covered by valid overseas student health coverage

Here are some reminders in case you will be asked to submit yourself for an interview:

• ·    Be alert and answer all questions honestly.
• ·    Bring personal copies of documents submitted to the visa officer.
• ·    Bring copies of supplemental documents like financial documents and academic qualifications; in case the visa officer will ask about it, you have something in hand to show him.
• ·    When asked, answer directly and avoid looking around. The visa officer might think that you are searching for answers somewhere; thus create a negative impression.

For visa applicants who are ready with their passport and in a hurry to get a visa, you can contact a “Visa Agency” to get you a visa in your absence. If your documents are complete, they can get you a visa in as short as two weeks.

As soon as you got hold of your visa, you are now ready to look for reasonable travel tickets for your travel. Good luck!