About Passports:
All students must have a passport valid for six months beyond the date of return to the US from a global program. If a student already has a passport, it is crucial they ensure it hasn’t expired. If a student does not currently have a valid passport, they will need to apply for one prior to submitting their application for a global program to Santa Clara University. Please keep in mind that during peak passport application times such as the spring or summer months, it can take up to 18 weeks to receive the final document.
Walgreens, CVS, and Costco all provide passport photo services. Below is a list of the closest locations to campus:
Ad West Mail and Copy Center:
59 Washington St.
Santa Clara, CA
This center takes SCU Access Flex Points
WALGREENS:
200 N. Winchester Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
CVS:
3081 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Costco:
1601 Coleman Ave.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
It is a student's responsibility to acquire a passport and visa (if applicable) prior to attending their program. Even if a student completes all application materials, failing to procure necessary travel documents can impact their ability to participate in study abroad. Below is information about the travel documents students will need, where to apply for a passport or visa, how much it costs, application materials, etc. It is critical to apply for these documents early, as there have been many processing delays due to the impacts of COVID-19.
Whether you need a visa depends on several factors: what the nationality of your passport is, your study abroad destination, and the duration of your study abroad program. As a study abroad student, it is your responsibility to obtain your visa. You cannot apply for your visa until you have been accepted by your study abroad program. You can, however, begin gathering the necessary supplemental documents.
How to Apply: Most consulates will not accept visa or residence permit applications until 30 - 90 days before the start date of the global program. Our advisors recommend gathering the necessary application documents early to ensure they are prepared to begin the process.
Contact the consulate or embassy of the countries you'll be studying or interning abroad in (and visiting) for the most up-to-date requirements and guidance. Be sure to review the requirements carefully. International students should also be in touch with an International Students & Scholars (ISS) advisor to ensure they have all in order with their US documentation so they can re-enter the US without incident after their program ends.
Application procedures vary from country to country and consulate to consulate. Some countries require students to apply in person at their consulate, while others may allow students to submit their application by mail. Students need to be prepared to send out their application at least two months in advance, and should remember to make copies of their application number just in case. Processing times will vary depending on the consulate; The process may take as little as one day and as long as ninety days.
Visa Support: Details on how to apply for a visa or residence permit if a student needs one will be provided by their program during Phase 3 when they are working on their pre-departure preparation. Often, the hardest part of obtaining a student visa is scheduling the appointment at the consulate. Students should work to schedule their appointments as early as possible.
If a student's program offers the option to batch process their student visa (i.e. the student gathers the needed visa documents, then sends them to the program provider and the provider submits the visa application to the consulate on the student's behalf) we highly recommend this option.
Visa Costs: The fees associated with applying for a visa vary from country to country. Currently, the costs of visas range from as little as US $30 to over US $500, not including the costs of traveling to and from the embassy/consulate.Furthermore, the fees may change frequently and with no notice. You are responsible for paying the consular fee for your visa.
Application Materials: The documents required for a visa application also vary from country to country, and can even vary from consulate to consulate for the same country. Examples of documents required for a visa application may include such items as:
- Your passport (the consulate keeps your passport while it processes your visa application)
- Visa applications generally require an acceptance letter, also known as an enrollment verification or visa letter, from the university abroad or study abroad program. If you need one, please complete the Enrollment Verification - Request Form as soon as possible. SCU Study Abroad will communicate via email when your letter is ready for pick up at Global Engagement (Aloysius Varsi Hall, 1st Floor).
- Proof of financial means
- Round-trip plane ticket or flight itinerary
- Proof of health insurance
- A police report from your local police department
Notary Services:
PostalAnnex: 2010 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050
International Students: Please refer to your nation’s Embassy or Consulate for information on how to obtain or renew your passport.
U.S. citizens: Visit the U.S. Passports section on the U.S. Department of State’s website for information on how to obtain or renew your passport. If you already have a passport, make sure it hasn’t expired. A U.S. passport is valid for 10 years for citizens who were 16 or older when the passport was issued.
Passport Costs: To learn more about U.S. passport costs, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/fees.html. If you need a passport in a hurry, you can request an expedited service (to get the passport to you in about twelve weeks) when you apply in person, for an additional $60 per application. If you are traveling within the next two weeks and really need your passport quickly, you’ll have to go to the closest regional passport agency to apply.
Application Materials: To apply for a passport, you will need a passport-sized photo. Walgreens, CVS, and Costco all provide passport photo services. Below is a list of the closest locations to campus.
Ad West Mail and Copy Center:
59 Washington St.
Santa Clara, CA
This center takes SCU Access Flex Points
Walgreens:
200 N. Winchester Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
CVS:
3081 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Costco:
1601 Coleman Ave.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Passports: Refer to your nation’s Embassy or Consulate for information on how to obtain or renew your passport.
Visa Applications: Your requirements for a visa may differ from those for US citizens. Be sure to review the requirements as stated by the foreign embassy carefully. You should also be in touch with an International Students & Scholars (ISS) advisor to ensure that you have all in order with your US documentation so that you can re-enter the US without incident after your Study Abroad program ends.
Notarized Documents
On-Campus Notary Public: Contact Monica Manriquez (m1manriquez@scu.edu) at Walsh Administration Building for an appointment.
- Set up an appointment
- Know what documents you need notarized
- Have documents fully completed and unsigned
- Fee $10 (cash preferred but will accept a check) per notarization (if you need multiple documents notarized: it's $10 per document per signature)
- Need valid driver license or passport
Because you may be required to relinquish your passport to the embassy or consulate that will issue your visa, you may not be able to travel abroad during the visa application process. Students participating on multiple programs abroad should plan carefully and be prepared to alter the terms that they participate on programs abroad. Read more about particpating in multiple programs abroad here.
