STUDY ABROAD DOCUMENTS
PASSPORT INFORMATION
You are required to have a valid passport book that will not expire for at least 6 months after the end of your study abroad program.
You are required to apply for a passport in person.
Local Passport Application Service: Bangor Post Office. Click here for more information and online scheduling.
- Application (DS-11) PDF: Do not sign your form until asked to do so by a passport acceptance agent.
- Evidence of U.S. Citizenship:
- U.S. birth certificate that meets the following requirements:
- Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
- Lists your full name, date of birth, and place of birth
- Lists your parents’ full names
- Has the date filed with registrar’s office (must be within one year of birth)
- Has the registrar’s signature
- Has the seal of the issuing authority
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad or any birth document issued by the U.S. Department of State
- Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
- U.S. birth certificate that meets the following requirements:
- Photocopy of your citizenship evidence.
- Must be on a single side of a 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper.
- Photo ID
- A valid state identification or driver's licence.
- Photocopy of your photo ID.
- Must be on a single side of a 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper.
- Passport Photo:
- Find photo requirements here.
- The Bangor Post Office offers photo services for an additional fee.
- Do not attach or staple your photo to the form.
- Fees:
- Passport Book: $130
- Passport Car: $30
- Processing time:
- 4-6 weeks for routine service
- 2-3 weeks for expedited service (additional $60 application fee).
- Renewal Instructions
- You can renew by mail if your most recent passport:
- Can be submitted with your application*,
- Is not damaged (other than normal wear and tear),
- Has never been reported lost or stolen,
- Was issued within the last 15 years,
- Was issued when you were age 16 or older, and
- Was issued in your current name (or you can provide a document like a marriage certificate or divorce decree to show you have changed your name)
- You can renew your passport online if you meet all these requirements:
- The passport you are renewing is (or was) valid for 10 years. It must be expiring within 1 year or have expired less than 5 years ago. Check your passport's date of issue and expiration.
- You are age 25 or older.
- You are not changing your personal information such as your name or sex.
- You are not traveling for at least 6 weeks from the date you will submit your application. We only offer routine service.
- You are located in a U.S. state or territory at the time you submit your application.
- Do not use your most recent passport after you renew it. We will cancel it so you cannot use it for international travel.
- You have your passport with you, it is not damaged or mutilated, and you have not reported it as lost or stolen.
Visa Information
After you have received acceptance from your study abroad program, information regarding visa requirements will be provided.
A visa is an official authorization that allows you to enter and/or live in another country, issued by that country’s government through its embassy or consulate in the United States. It is typically placed as a stamp or sticker in your passport. For most semester-long study abroad programs, students are required to obtain a student visa, though requirements vary by country. Some countries do not require student visas, and certain short-term or summer programs may also be exempt.
Because visa rules can often change, it is the student’s responsibility to keep track of current requirements and application deadlines.
The visa process is typically the final step in preparing for your study abroad experience, but you should begin researching requirements early to understand timelines and expectations. Waiting until just before your program starts is strongly discouraged. Most consulates only accept visa applications within 90–120 days of departure, and you should plan for approximately 4–6 weeks of processing time.
To apply for a visa, you will need a valid passport and an official admission letter from your study abroad program. Depending on the country, additional documentation may be required, such as a medical exam, proof of financial resources, or health insurance verification. In many cases, you must submit your passport to the consulate during processing. Some students may need to travel to a consulate, Boston or New York, to apply in person and possibly return again to pick up their passport once the visa is issued. Visa fees vary widely, ranging from free to as much as $550.