Are you thinking of study abroad in winter or spring of 2022? If so, please note that the US State Department has announced very lengthy processing times for passport issuance. If you don’t yet have a passport, or will need to renew your passport before traveling this winter or spring, you must apply NOW! Even if you apply today via expedited service, you may not have your passport back until early December. If you wait to apply for a passport, you may not be able to study abroad in the winter or spring of 2022.
Remember that you will need a valid passport in order to apply for visas that are required for many study abroad programs, and visa processing can also be slow, therefore the sooner you have a valid passport in hand, the better.
Note that your passport must be valid for 6 months after the date you will return home from your study abroad experience. For most students going abroad in Spring 2022, this means that passports should be valid until the end of November or December 2022.
The US State Department Passport Services site currently lists the following timelines for passport processing:
- Routine service can take up to 18 weeks (including 12 weeks for processing and 6 for mailing on the front and back end)
- Expedited service, available for an additional $60 fee, can take up to 12 weeks (including 6 weeks for processing and 6 for mailing)
Here are some helpful links to help you get started:
- Passport Services
- How to Apply
- Passport Fees
- Renew my Passport
- Processing Times
- Get My Passport Fast
- Passport Help and FAQ
NEED MORE INFORMATION TO PLAN YOUR STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE?
Schedule an appointment with a study abroad adviser - we'll help you find the program that's right for you. Please note: we recommend meeting with an academic adviser to discuss your study abroad needs and timeline BEFORE scheduling a one-on-one study abroad appointment.
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International Programs and Extended Studies
(607) 274-3306
studyabroad@ithaca.edu