Just wanted to remind everyone that if you are actually interested in studying abroad over the summer or fall, you need to start on the Passport process now. You can’t always wait until you’re accepted into a program in March or April; you need to get on top of the Passport thing early. Even if you already have the Passport, you might need new pages for it if you travel frequently and almost all countries require that the Passport not expire until at least 6 months after the estimated end of your trip.
Every year it takes longer and longer to get a Passport, especially if you aren’t the simplest case. Dual citizenship, foreign citizenship, criminal records, and a history of visiting or coming from difficult locations (Middle East, China, Etc.) can all add to the wait time for a new or renewed Passport.
Plus, you have to have a Passport to get a Visa, arrange flights, set up hotel reservations, and other steps.
So go ahead and get the ball rolling to make sure you have it early!
For helpful instructions check out the ‘Getting a Passport’ section on our site “Students Ramblings“. We also have information for ‘Renewing your Passport. Or just head straight over to the State Department’s website.
Student Ramblings 