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Kansas State University

Visa Information

Consulate Information

What is a visa?
A visa is a stamp or slip of paper attached to a page in your passport and is the official permission by a government for you to visit, study, or do business in their country. It is important to understand the visa requirements for the country you plan to visit.

How do I know if I need a visa?
All study abroad participants or international travelers should check the U.S. consulate web page (see below) of countries they plan to visit to determine whether or not they need to obtain a visa and what are the procedures to apply for the visa. Whether or not a student needs to obtain a visa depends on a few different factors, including length of stay, reason for travel (work, study, etc.), and country, among other things. There are different types of visas, including study, work, and tourist visas, so be sure that you understand the type of visa you need, as well.

How do I apply for a visa?
First, you need a passport. You will not be able to apply for a visa until you have a passport. Next, start by visiting the web page of the U.S. consulate for the country you plan to visit; if you are studying abroad through a program provider, they will more than likely provide you with information about the visa application process. The U.S. consulate web page or information provided by a program provider will likely give you steps to applying for a visa and a list of documents to compile. Visas can be obtained either directly from the consulate or from a visa service, depending on the country. Submitted paperwork must be completed fully with attention to detail to prevent delays.

How long will it take to apply for a visa?
The visa process can be quite lengthy; consulates generally take 4-6 weeks for processing. Some consulates require up to 3 months for processing. The important thing is to give yourself plenty of time to compile all the application materials and allow for processing.

Other important things to note

* Independent Travel Prior to the start of programs: Please be aware that the visa application process for some countries may require students to surrender their passport for several weeks prior to the start of the study abroad program. These consular requirements may impact students’ independent travel plans. Visa requirements should be investigated and considered by all applicants prior to planning independent travel.

* The Study Abroad Office does not process or issue visas for students. It is the responsibility of each student to inform themselves on the visa procedures and to apply for the visa, if necessary, in a timely fashion.

* Some countries will require that you have an F.B.I report completed as a part of the application process. If the F.B.I report is required, keep in mind that it can take a long time for the F.B.I report to be completed.

* Remember, in all cases, you must wait to apply for a visa until after you have been accepted to your study abroad program.

* All consulates work on a per jurisdiction basis, meaning that they divide the United States into regions. Your jurisdiction is determined by your permanent address, so make sure you are aware under which jurisdiction you belong.

* Some consulates require that you apply in person; others will allow you apply by mail. If you apply by mail, it is always advisable to use some sort of Express Service via insured mail (again, each consulate will outline their policies on which services you may use. Some consulates will allow you to use UPS; some will only permit Federal Express Mail). Do not send your visa application through regular mail as you could risk losing your passport and other important documents.

* Calling consulates can be very frustrating as they generally have a large volume of requests per day. Most consulates have moved to automated-answering systems which may simply tell you to visit their website.

Please note, rules and regulations regarding visas change frequently. While we recommend and provide links and information regarding visas in the following database, this information can change without our office or Kansas State University being notified.