Passports
A valid passport is required for all international travel. Your passport is your official proof of citizenship and identity while abroad.
If you do not have a passport, apply for one as soon as possible. Review the passport application checklist to ensure you have all required documents before your appointment.
If you already have a passport, check the expiration date carefully. Many countries require that your passport remains valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date.
Passport processing can take four to six weeks or longer, so plan ahead and apply early.
To obtain a passport application and for more detailed information on how to apply or renew your passport, visit the U.S. Department of State website.
To obtain or renew your passport, please check with your local embassy or consulate. Please verify that your passport is valid for up to six months after you plan on being back in the United States.
Your passport is your most important document while traveling abroad. Keep it secure and know where it is at all times.
When you receive your passport, make several copies of the identification page and store them separately from the original. We also recommend leaving a copy with a trusted family member and maintaining a secure digital copy.
In most countries, you do not need to carry your passport with you daily. Unless local laws or program staff require otherwise, keep your passport in a secure location, such as a locked apartment, residence hall room, hotel room or hostel locker.
Students who plan to travel internationally before the start of a semester or academic year study abroad program should consider whether a second U.S. passport may be beneficial. During the student visa application process, many consulates require applicants to surrender their passport for several weeks while the visa is being processed. A second passport can be useful if you have international travel planned while your primary passport is being held by the consulate. This is particularly relevant for students applying to programs in countries with lengthy or in-person visa processes, such as Spain, Italy and France. If you apply for a second passport, be sure to use the same passport number consistently throughout your visa application and submit that passport to the consulate for processing. Using different passport numbers on application materials can result in delays. Like a first passport, a second passport may take four to six weeks or longer to process, so plan ahead. For more information about obtaining a second U.S. passport, visit the U.S. Department of State website.
Visas
Many countries require a visa for entry. A visa is issued by a country's embassy or consulate and allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specified amount of time.
Visa requirements and application processes vary by country. It is your responsibility to understand the requirements of your host country, complete all required application steps and obtain your visa before departing for your study abroad program.
Your study abroad program, host university and/or the embassy or consulate of your host country will provide the most current visa and immigration information. Review these resources carefully and contact the appropriate embassy or consulate directly if you have questions.
Apply early. Visa processing in some cases can take up to three to four months or longer.
You must have a valid passport with sufficient validity and available pages to apply for a student visa. Many countries require that your passport remain valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date. If you do not have a passport, or if your passport does not meet these requirements, apply for a new passport immediately. You are required to upload a copy of your valid passport as part of your study abroad application.
In most cases, you will need to leave your passport with the embassy or consulate while your visa application is being processed. Plan any personal travel accordingly, as you may not have access to your passport during this period.
Visa Applications and Verification of Enrollment Letter (Visa Letters)
The Office of Study Abroad does not provide guidance on visa application procedures. Visa requirements vary by country and consulate, and students are responsible for reviewing and complying with all requirements established by their host country's embassy or consulate.
Most student visa applications require a Verification of Enrollment Letter from Tulane University confirming your full-time enrollment and participation in a study abroad program. To request this letter complete and submit the letter request form.
For information about entry requirements and consular contacts, review your host country's embassy or consulate website and the U.S. Department of State country of information page. Always verify visa requirements directly with the appropriate embassy or consulate, as requirements may change.
New EU entry requirement starting in 2026
This information is applicable to students going to the EU who are not required to apply for a long-term (student or national) visa. Those may be summer study abroad students, or students whose host countries do not require a special visa upon entry to the country.
The rules of travel to Europe are changing. Starting in 2026, travelers from countries that did not need a visa to enter the European Union, will now be required to have a travel authorization to enter most European countries. Therefore, most Tulane students planning to attend a short-term study abroad program in Europe must apply for ETIAS travel authorization.
ETIAS travel authorization is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals traveling to any of the European countries listed on this web site. ETIAS is linked to your passport and is valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport before the end of the three-year period, you will need a new ETIAS travel authorization.
Travelers with a valid ETIAS travel authorization can enter the countries linked above as often as they want for short-term stays (normally up to 90 days in any 180-day period). ETIAS does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions.
You can fill out the application form using either the official ETIAS website or the ETIAS mobile application. Your ETIAS application may take up to 30 days to be processed. You should apply well in advance of your travel. Read more about what you need to apply and payment exemption.
Please verify the visa requirements with the embassy or consulate of the country to which you are traveling. In addition, if you are in the U.S. on an F-1 student visa, please also make sure that your F-1 visa is not expired or will expire by the time you wish to return to the U.S. Consult with the Tulane Office of International Students and Scholars for additional guidance.
Due to the large number of programs we support and the varying immigration requirements across countries, the Office of Study Abroad cannot assist students with visa applications or arrangements.
Your study abroad program, host university and/or embassy or consulate of your host country will provide the most current information about visa and immigration requirements. It is your responsibility to review these requirements and complete all necessary steps by the application deadlines.
Failure to obtain the required visa or compete immigration requirements on time may prevent you from participating in your study abroad program.
The Office of Study Abroad cannot contact, advocate with or intervene on your behalf with the U.S. Department of State, foreign embassies, consulates or immigration authorities regarding visa or passport processing.