The Ultimate Guide to Getting Your Passport for Studying Abroad Quickly!

A group of friends smiling and one is holding up a passport.

There are so many things to do in order to make your study abroad dreams a reality, and perhaps none of them are as important as obtaining your passport. 

Not only is this a crucial part of the study abroad process, but it takes more time than you might expect. The U.S. State Department estimates that getting your passport takes around 10-weeks: two weeks for mailing, four to six weeks for processing and up to two weeks for receiving your passport.                                                         

As you’re preparing to make those overseas dreams a reality, here are a few pieces of information to keep front of mind: 

Apply for your passport now—even if you’re not 100% sure about studying abroad

Two students smiling and posing in front of a sculpture.

If you are considering studying abroad, you need to apply for your passport as soon as you’re done reading this paragraph. No, really—most countries also require that you obtain a student visa to study abroad, and you will need your passport before you can apply for your visa.  

  

A few things to remember: You must apply for a passport in person if this is your first passport or you are renewing a passport that was issued when you were under 16. You can search for the nearest location to apply for a passport on the U.S. Department of State website. If you currently have a passport, make sure that it is valid and does not expire before, during, or less than six-months after your study abroad program. Most airlines require that your passport remain valid for a full six-months after you return, so make sure that you’re all set.  

Need Your Passport Sooner?

A passport laying on top of a striped bag in a TSA bin.

If you’re facing a tighter timeline, the expedited passport service may be available for an additional $60 fee. Just keep in mind that the expedited processing does not include expedited shipping, which comes at an additional fee and aims to deliver your passport within one-to-three days after it’s been mailed.   

  

Before applying for this, we recommend reviewing the latest processing times and passport service options to see what makes the most sense for your situation.  

Ask us any questions ASAP—ideally after you're done reading this

A student riding their bike and smiling with the sunsetting in the background.

We’re here for any and all questions that you have. Please contact our office as soon as you have questions so that we can give you timely and relevant information.  

Here’s the thing: at the end of the day, getting a passport is an investment for your future travel experiences even if you decide not to study abroad. Once it's issued, it's valid for 10 years. Maybe you want to celebrate your 30th birthday abroad! Who knows!? So, plan for both your current and future travel dreams now by taking care of your passport today.   

Curious about the visa process as well? Check out our story, “You Likely Need a Visa to Study Abroad. We're Here to Help!” and explore our student visa resources webpage to stay up to date on requirements. 

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