Passports and Visas

You can only apply for a visa after you’ve been admitted to a study abroad program. However, it’s your responsibility to determine the requirements and to apply for a visa in a timely fashion. Find out as far in advance as possible what visas or permits, if any, you will need. Failure to apply for a visa in time may jeopardize your study abroad plans.

• In-person: You may have to appear at a consulate in person to submit your visa application materials. If the NY Consulate of Italy, for example, requires you to apply there, you must be prepared to drive, fly, or take a bus to the nearest consulate. CEA cannot eliminate this requirement for you. Some consulates require appointments; others do not.
• Online: Some countries or consulates may allow you to use the services of a visa processing firm. The University recommends working with Visa Central for these services. Visit the Visa Central website for more information.

Requirements vary, but in general, expect to provide the following when applying for a residence permit or visa:

• Information about yourself and your parents, including dates and places of birth
• Your passport
  • When you apply for a visa, you must submit your passport with the application. Therefore, it may not be possible for you to travel outside the U.S. prior to your term abroad.
• Certification of health and/or certain immunizations
• Letter of acceptance to your study abroad program and/or host institution
• Letter verifying that you are currently enrolled at the University of Rochester in good standing
  • Allow at least two weeks when requesting documents such as letters of acceptance, enrollment verification, etc.
• Detailed financial support information, notarized, e.g., bank statements (family and/or self), financial aid sources, etc. Expect to show proof of $4000-$5000 for a semester abroad.
• Proof of health and travel insurance coverage abroad
• Your round-trip plane ticket to your study abroad host country.

Don’t be surprised if this is not all that is required. This is why it is essential that you determine your specific requirements early on in the study abroad application process.

Additional requirements might include:

• FBI background check: This process can take 16 weeks or more, so plan accordingly
• Proof of evacuation and repatriation: Request a certificate of coverage
• Proof of financial aid/scholarships: Contact the Financial Aid Office

When you apply for a visa, you are dealing with the government of a foreign country. They can make and change their policies and procedures at any time. We are not agents of foreign countries, so our ability to help you fill out visa applications is extremely limited. It is always best to get answers directly from a Consulate employee.

Read the application and instructions very carefully before contacting a Consulate. This will enable you to ask informed questions.

Don’t assume anything. If, for example, the visa application asks for your address while in [country], and you won’t have that information until you arrive overseas, ask the consulate what to write in that space. Some may accept “TBA”, some may accept the program address, some may not accept it without the actual address. We cannot guess how or what to answer for any question; neither should you.

Consulates generally have very limited open hours for answering the telephone and for public appearances.

When you speak with someone in a Consulate write a detailed record of the conversation: date, time, full name of person with whom you spoke, and their comments or answers or recommendations.