| TRAVEL
ARRANGEMENTS: Passports • Visas • Exit
Taxes • Travel Discounts |
| PASSPORTS |
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Do
guest students need a passport to study abroad? |
Bulletin:
(CBS News) WASHINGTON The Bush administration on
Friday suspended some of its new, post-Sept. 11
requirements for traveling abroad, hoping to placate
Congress and irate summer travelers whose vacations
have been thwarted by delays in processing their
passports. This is a temporary fix, good through
September as the State Department deals with what's
described as a record-breaking demand for passports,
reports CBS News correspondent Peter Maer.
The proposal would temporarily lift a requirement
that U.S. passports be used for citizens flying
to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. Instead,
they'll have to show border agents two things:
A State Department receipt for a passport application
and another government identification, such as
a driver's license. Those without passports would
receive additional security scrutiny, which could
include extra questioning or bag checks. |
Yes. U.S.
citizens need a U.S. passport, and Permanent
Residents and international students going abroad
need the passport of their country of citizenship.
Currently, U.S. citizens traveling by
land only to Mexico and Canada may do
so without a passport (need birth certificate), but
it is highly recommended that every student studying
abroad obtain a passport. Having a passport
makes it easier to transact financial matters
abroad, plus it is the best proof of identity.
Any one needing to obtain a student visa must
have a passport. In
addition, even if a passport is not required
to visit a foreign country, U.S. Immigration
requires that U.S. citizenship and identity must
be proved to reenter the United States. A U.S.
passport is the best proof of U.S. citizenship.
Note: Soon the U.S. will require all citizens
who travel abroad in Mexico and Canada to present
a passport to reenter the U.S. Passports
need to be valid for the duration of the program,
and sometimes countries may require validity
of the passport for 6 months beyond the end of
the proposed program.
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Should
I wait until I am accepted into a study abroad
program to apply for a passport? |
NO. Due
to the higher demand for passports because air
travel to Mexico and Canada now requires a passport,
the time to process passports may be as much
as 12 weeks. Students with strong motivation
to study abroad should obtain a passport as soon
as possible to avoid delays.
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Where
do U.S. citizens apply for a passport? |
The
main U.S. Post Office of all major cities (including
Las Cruces) will accept applications (and take
required photos). The total cost is about $110
(including photos) and the passport is
valid for 10 years for persons 18 or above.
Students may also apply on line with the U.S.
State Department.
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| STUDENT
VISAS & RESIDENCY PERMITS |
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What
is a visa? |
A
visa is a document provided by another country
that gives citizens of other countries permission
to enter their country and establishes under
what conditions they may stay in that country.
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What
is a residency permit? |
Some
countries require persons who will stay in their
contry long-term to obtain a residency permit
and register with the local police authorities.
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What
type of visa will students need to study abroad? |
Depends. Students
attending language institutes and other programs
of short duration (usually 90 days or less) can
usually travel on a tourist visa.
But those going long duration (a semester or
academic year) may need to obtain a student
visa.
Some countries, such as Spain, require student visa applicants to take
their documents in person to the Consulate serving New Mexico (Houston
for Spain).
Students should visit www.embassy.org for
a list of foreign consulates and instructions for visas. The U.S. State
Department's Consular
Information Sheets also provide information on visa requirements
of all countries. Visa requirements change frequently, so students must
do there homework early so they are not prevented from studying abroad
because they failed to obtain a proper visa in a timely manner.
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Will
students have to pay a fee for the student visa
or residency permit? |
| Yes,
in many cases. Some students also have
to register as residents after arriving and may
have to pay a fee for this. In the Netherlands
this can cost as much as $500. |
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Will
NMSU take guest students' paperwork to the Spanish
Consulate in Houston? |
Yes. The
Office of Study Abroad will provide the same
visa processing service provided to its students
if they are studying in Spain through NMSU. The
cost of the service is $150 (plus $100 payable
to the Spanish Consulate), and all documents
and payments must be received by the deadlines
set by the office.
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| EXIT
TAXES |
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Will
students have to pay an exit tax upon leaving
the country of their program? |
Sometimes. Many
countries, especially in Latin America, charge
a departure tax before you may board your flight
home. The amount varies from $25 to $50, and
can be paid in cash and sometimes by credit card.
Plan to have the money to pay this tax, unless
it was included in the cost of your air ticket.
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| TRAVEL
DISCOUNTS |
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Where
do students find discounts for travel abroad? |
Students
can purchase the International Student
Identity Card (ISIC) from
the Office of Study Abroad to obtain travel discounts. International
Student Exchange Identity Cards (ISE) also
has discount programs. The International
Student Exchange Program has several
sponsors that provide travel discounts, phone
cards, and other benefits. The Office of Study
Abroad also has lists of other organizations
providing student discounts. Somne
other useful sites are: Student
Universe • STA
Travel • Kayak • Travelzoo • Expedia • Orbitz
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