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Passport
At this point, you should already have obtained or renewed your
passport. If you have not done so already, please get started
right away! You cannot get your visa until you have a passport,
and it can take between six and eight weeks to get each.
Expediting services can be found on the Internet to obtain a
passport more quickly but at a significant cost.
Before you
apply, you will need:
- The
passport application which can be obtained at a post office or
online at http://travel.state.gov
-
Proof of
U.S. citizenship such as your original birth certificate
-
Two
recent identical 2"x2" passport photos which can be got at
Kinko's, Gentry, or Walmart
- Proof
of identity such as a driver's license
To apply, go to
a federal or state courthouse. The Montgomery County Courthouse
is located at 1 E. Main Street in Christiansburg. Phone: 540-382-5760
Once you have your passport, make a copy of the picture
page. Take the picture with you abroad, and keep it somewhere
separate from your passport; it facilitates the replacement of a
stolen passport. We also recommend that you leave a copy with
your parents at home, or with someone you can call upon in
case of an emergency.
Visas
Do not rely on other people who have been to your country to
tell you whether or not you need a visa. Some countries do not
require visas for tourists, but do require them for students or
people planning to stay longer than 3 months. Call the Embassy
of your country to ask whether foreign students need a
visa. Call Washington D.C. information for the Embassy's phone
number or visit one of these websites:
Embassy.org and
travel.state.gov.
For ISEP students, visa information will also be included in
your handbook. Students on Non-Virginia Tech programs should
also check with their program provider for visa information. |
