Visa Information

International and Off-Campus Studies
Planning through Returning
Prepare
Visa Information

**Please note**: Information presented here was based on requirements available at the time of publication. Countries can change their visa requirements at any time or they may be interpreted differently by various consulates or airport authorities. Always review the most current official documents and government websites, and rely on those specific details over anything presented here.

A visa is an official document, often placed inside your passport, that a foreign government issues to you, allowing you to enter that particular country, for a specified period of time, and participate in certain activities legally.
Many countries require students who are going to study for a semester or year to obtain a visa before they depart for their study abroad program.
Countries typically break visas down into types that reflect the purpose of your visit—tourism, studying, and working, among many others. The exact name and type of visa you require will vary from country to country but it is likely you will need a non-immigrant student/study visa. This basically means that you do not intend to take up permanent residence in that country and that your stay is for temporary study.
The exact name and type of visa you require will vary from country to country but it is likely you will need a non-immigrant student/study visa. This basically means that you do not intend to take up permanent residence in that country and that your stay is for temporary study.
Visa applications can be submitted in a number of ways, by mail, in person or online, depending on the consulate. Being granted a visa is a privilege, not a right. A consular office may deny your visa application, so it is best to adhere to their requirements and apply as early as possible.
A visa is not a guarantee of entry into the foreign country. The bearer of a visa is subject to inspection at the port of entry by Immigration officials, who have authority to deny admission. Therefore, the recipient of a visa should carry with them, for possible presentation to Immigration Inspectors, all the evidence submitted to the Consular Officer when the visa was obtained.

The requirements to obtain a visa depend on the host country, type of visa, duration of the program, and nationality of the applicant. The foreign country’s U.S. based Consulate/Embassy should be able to provide you with a list of requirements based on these factors.
Each consulate location has its own website and requirements may vary from location to location. Some consulates will only allow you to apply at the consulate providing jurisdiction over your home state, whereas others will allow you to apply using your school’s address. For example you may be able to apply for your visa via the mail, whereas another student attending the same program, may need to apply in person, so be sure to check the website for the location of the consulate representing the correct jurisdiction (usually Chicago for St. Olaf students/Minnesota residents).
Additionally, should the process become too overwhelming, many visa-processing agencies such as CIBT, Travisa, Perry International, etc. exist to help research and submit visa applications. These agencies are very useful for quickly determining whether you are required to obtain a visa and whether an in-person appointment is required. This is especially useful when researching non-U.S. student situations.The International and Off-Campus Studies Office recommends Perry International to provide these services.You can fill out a form on their website and Perry Visa will email you the visa requirements usually within 24 hours. Keep in mind if you choose to use their services you will have to pay a service fee in addition to the visa fee.

While the actual visa application process varies from one country to another, there are standard application materials that pertain to just about every country. These include:

Most consulates will not let you apply more than 90 days before your study abroad program starts.
Begin the visa application process as soon as you receive your letter of invitation from your host university/program. A good rule of thumb is to submit your application at least two months in advance. That way if any snags occur, you’ll still have time to remedy the issue and keep your application on track. There’s nothing worse than not having your visa the day you’re supposed to leave.
A good rule of thumb is to submit your application at least two months in advance. That way if any snags occur, you’ll still have time to remedy the issue and keep your application on track.

Visa processing can take as little as a couple of days to several months depending on the country and your nationality.
The website of the U.S. consulate or embassy of your host country should list the average time it takes to process a visa.
Make sure you apply early as only a few consulates have the option to rush or expedite a visa application. If it is an option it’s usually very expensive.
As you will need to mail your passport to the Consulate, which they will keep as they process your visa application, you should not plan any international trips (including Canada and Mexico) in the months leading up to your program. If international travel while your passport is being processed at the consulate is absolutely necessary, in rare cases, you may be able to apply for a second passport. You would need to contact the local passport agency for more information.

You should make copies of your visa application materials, in case they are lost or not returned during the visa application process. Having copies of all documents will save you time, energy and most importantly, money.
Please write your personal cell phone number and St. Olaf email on your application form. The consulate will be contacting you at the number and email you provide if there are any errors on your application, missing documentation, or if they have questions regarding your program of study. Consulates often allow applicants to submit additional documentation if they can reach you within 24 hours. Otherwise they will reject your application, keep your visa payment and return an empty passport.
For consulates that require an in-person visa appointment, the available time slots often fill up quickly. You may need to book an appointment months before you plan to apply, so plan accordingly! If you can only select an appointment near your departure date, you should see if your consulate offers a waitlist or an appointment calendar that you can continue checking for earlier appointments that open up.

International students frequently study off-campus while enrolled at St. Olaf. International students must contact the Visa Coordinator prior to studying abroad to verify reentry requirements for F-1 visa holders to the U.S. and to update their I-20 form, if needed.
Non-degree international students on exchange programs at St. Olaf College require J-1 student visas. Upon admission acceptance, the International Scholar and Off-Campus Coordinator will assist you in the steps to obtain a visa.
See Non-degree International Students page to learn more about the requirements for J-1 international students.

U.S. permanent resident (green card holder) students traveling abroad for study can find it difficult to navigate the ins-and-outs of the visa process.
Remember in addition to a visa, you must travel with the passport of your country of citizenship, or obtain a reentry permit or refugee travel document (form I-131). You cannot travel abroad on a “green card” alone.
If you are unable to apply for a passport and will be using a U.S. issued Travel Document for your study abroad program, please make sure the country of your study abroad program will allow you to enter without a passport and will issue a visa without a passport. Not every country will allow travelers without a passport.
Upon your return to the U.S. you will need to present both your green card and passport/U.S.Travel Document. You may be subject to “secondary inspection” upon your return, where you could be taken into a separate room and asked questions about your time spent outside the U.S.

While on an international off-campus study program, your host country admits you under the regulations of a student visa or the appropriate immigration status. This means your stay is for the sole purpose of education, and you are not allowed to take a job, or sometimes even intern or volunteer, (even part-time) and earn an income. If you violate those restrictions and are caught, you risk being deported.

However, some exceptions apply. Some countries do allow international students to take on a part-time job, volunteer, or intern whilst on a student visa. To find out if your country of destination or program and visa category allows for part-time work, visit the consular webpage for your host country.