Pre-Departure Orientation
Pre-Departure Education Abroad Training: UI International Programs administers a mandatory online pre-departure training for all students who will be departing for an education abroad opportunity. The training must be completed prior to departure.
The course, Education Abroad Pre-Departure Training, can be accessed via ICON and all students registered for international travel under the auspices of the University of Iowa will be added to the course list automatically.
The course will appear on the home page of your ICON account under "Ongoing" courses. The course consists of 10 modules and quizzes that cover a wide range of topics of which you need to be aware before you go abroad.
Quick Guide: Once you have completed the ICON course, view our quick guide: International Travel Pre-Departure Tasks
In-Person Pre-Departure Training: In addition to the required training online, study abroad advisors will inform you of any mandatory in-person orientation sessions specific to the intended program abroad.
Visas
All students participating in UI Study Abroad programs must comply with the visa requirements set by the embassy/consulate of each country they visit. Requirements vary by destination, citizenship, purpose of travel, and length of stay. A visa gives you legal permission to stay in another country for a specific period of time and for a specific purpose. A visa is often issued electronically or stamped in your passport.
Study Abroad students are responsible for following guidance for processing a visa and covering associated costs. Occasionally, visa processing requires a trip to a consulate, at traveler expense, prior to departure.
For general visa guidance and information about international travel requirements, check with your program provider. Your program provider or program coordinator will share visa instructions specific to your program and location.
Not all program locations require visas. Some countries allow visitors from certain nationalities to stay for shorter periods of time (usually 90 days) without a visa. However, if your entry requires a visa, you cannot study abroad without one.
If you're a U.S. citizen, you'll likely need a visa unless you're:
Studying in a country that has visa-free agreements with the U.S. and staying for a short period (typically less than 90 days)
If you're not a U.S. citizen, you'll likely need a visa unless you're:
- A citizen of your host country
- A citizen of a country in the same region (like the European Union)
- From a country with special agreements with your host country
Additionally, if you are enrolled as an international student at the University of Iowa, you’ll want to check with ISSS before traveling outside the United States to ensure you understand your U.S. student visa status and requirements for reentering the United States.
It is important to begin your visa application process as soon as you are eligible to do so, typically coinciding with acceptance into your study abroad program.
How to get one: Your study abroad program should give you instructions on how to obtain a visa, if one is required. If you are not participating in a study abroad program and would like assistance with a visa process, CIBT Visas is a Big Ten Academic Alliance vendor that offers fee-based visa and passport processing services for university travelers.
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