Visas

What is a Visa?

A visa is an endorsement or stamp placed in your passport by a foreign government that permits you to visit that country for a specified purpose and a limited time, for example, an exchange visitor visa or a three-month tourist visa. You must have a valid passport before applying for a visa.

Visa Requirements per Country

Complete information on Foreign Entry Requirements is available from:

The U.S. Department of State: U.S. Visas

Passport and visa services companies:   

• CIBTvisas
• Zierer Visa Service, Inc. in Washington, D.C.

Timeline

It is advisable to obtain visas before leaving the United States because you may not be able to obtain visas for some countries once you have departed.

Where to Apply

You should apply directly to the embassy or nearest consulate of each country that you plan to visit or consult a travel agent or visa service. Allow a minimum of one week to obtain a visa.

Other

Passport agencies cannot help you obtain visas. The Office of International Programs can assist you with visa requirements such as letters of support and invitations, as needed.