Passenger in airport holding passport and boarding pass

Passport matters

To ensure your international experiences begins stress-free, be sure you have a valid passport well before your program start date. You should note that most countries require your passport to be valid for an additional 3 to 6 months beyond the end of your planned stay. The information below will be helpful for those who will apply for a US passport. If you have questions about applying for a passport from another country, please reach out to your study abroad advisor.

Know the lingo

A Passport Acceptance Facility is a location that takes passport applications if it is your first passport or you are renewing a passport that you obtained when you were younger than 16. Passport Acceptance Facilities are widely available, including many post offices, click here to find a location near you. 

A Passport Agency is a location where you can obtain a passport urgently if you are traveling within 2 weeks. Proof of immediate travel is needed. The passport agencies closest to Ames are located in Chicago and Minneapolis. Appointments are typically limited.  

As you start to apply for a passport, you should gather the necessary forms, identification, passport pictures, and fees. 

To see what items you should prepare for your application, please check the State Department website.

Passport application forms can be found online at travel.state.gov. Complete the application fully and attach your 2” x 2” photo. Make sure you are applying for a passport book, not a passport card, which is not valid for international air travel.

Processing and mailing time can vary, so be sure to apply well ahead of any international travel. If you’re in a pinch, expedited service is available for an extra $60 fee.

If you are renewing using form DS-82, you will be able to apply via mail. Mail all supporting documents, plus your previous passport, to the National Passport Processing Center. If you are renewing a juvenile passport (issued when you were younger than 16), you will need to apply in person at a Passport Acceptance Facility. 

Applicants using form DS-11 will need to appear in person at a local passport acceptance facility. These are usually post offices or civic buildings; locations can be found online at travel.state.gov. Schedule a passport application appointment here. Do not sign the application until instructed to do so by your agent.

There are several offices at Iowa State that offer passport reimbursement if you meet the requirements. To be eligible for passport reimbursement, most offices will require that this is your first passport and also that you have a major in their college. For example an Animal Science major could be reimbursed for their first passport by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Study Abroad Office.

Follow these links for additional information on the various passport reimbursement offers.

 

A visa allows an individual to enter or stay in a specific country for a pre-determined about of time. Whether or not you need a visa for your study abroad program will depend on the following:

  • Country of study abroad program
  • Duration of study abroad progam
  • Your passport nationality
  • Type of experience you will have abroad: study, intern, volunteer, etc.

Rest assured that your study abroad advisor will give you visa information as it pertains to the above listed conditions.