Passport and Visas
Passports, Visas, and Residence Permits
Passports
You absolutely need a passport to travel abroad. Your passport should have at least six months of validity after your intended return date. For example, if you plan to return June 1st, your passport should not expire before December 1st of the same year.
Save yourself the headache and apply for a new or renewal passport now! Appointments at local passport offices fill quickly during study abroad application cycles. More information on passports and applications is available at the Department of State website: https://travel.state.gov/passports.
Visas and Residence Permits
Most countries require a visa or residence permit for stays of more than a few months. Determining the requirements and obtaining the appropriate documents are your responsibility. The UNC Study Abroad Office cannot assist in the application process, however, UNC Chapel-Hill partners with CIBTvisas, which is a travel document service.
A visa is official permission from a country for you to visit. It is usually a stamp in your passport, but is also sometimes a piece of paper or electronic document that states how long you are allowed to stay in that country and in what capacity (tourist, study, etc.).
Apply for a visa through the foreign country’s embassy in the United States several weeks or months in advance.
Certain countries may require a residence permit for your length of stay, in addition to or in lieu of an entry visa. The residence permit may be a stamp in your passport, another paper document, or card.
CIBTvisas
CIBTvisas is the leading global provider of travel visas, US passports and required travel documents. Our partnership with CIBTvisas offers many benefits:
- Discounted Preferred Pricing: utilize & bookmark the link below
- 24/7 Real Time order tracking
- Global Reach, Local Expertise: 25+ offices
- FCPA and GDPR compliant
- Informed Traveler Service: global oversight for international destinations
- Guided-Entry service for difficult destinations
- Secure, safe and easy transactions
- Live Customer Care and e-support
Summary of account information
Account Number for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: 107425
Direct Link to CIBTvisas portal: https://cibtvisas.com/chapelhill
Customer Care: 800-929-2428
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday; 8:30AM to 8:00PM (EST) 24/7
Email Support: customerservice@cibtvisas.com
General Tips
- U.S. passport holders should always check the Department of State website, as well as the website of their host country’s Embassy in the U.S., for updated information on requirements, applications, and necessary documentation.
- Any discrepancy in your application materials can delay processing times.
- In-person appointments may be required, and appointment slots are often very limited. Follow guidelines provided by your host institution, and complete each step in your visa/residence permit application as soon as possible!
- There are companies which provide visa assistance services, for an additional fee, though most students apply on their own.
- It’s a smart idea to make several copies of ALL of your passport, visa, and residence permit documents– including application materials. Leave one set with a trusted friend or relative at home (or in a secure shared drive online) and carry the other separately from your documents in case of loss or theft.