Proper documentation and identification is required for entry into your destination country, its a bit of a drag at times but come on you're smart!. Each country has its own special requirements for entry based on your citizenship, purpose of visit and length of stay. Find out which requirements pertain to your situation, and plan in advance; obtaining documents from embassies or consulates can take from one hour up to three months. Getting a new passport may take up to six weeks so be on your marks.

• Passport: A passport is a document from your home country that confirms your citizenship. You need a current passport that is valid beyond the time your program ends. Allow up to 8 weeks minimum to receive your country passport. It may take even longer to obtain a passport if you are an immigrant citizen. If you are applying for the first time for a passport you must complete 6 steps:

  1. Fill out an “Application for Passport” Form which you can obtain from your local post office or Passport Issuing Office
  2. Present proof of country citizenship
  3. Birth certificate
  4. Provide two appropriately sized passport photos
  5. Pay the applicable application fee
  6. Provide a valid of Identity and residence proof certificate 
  
  
• Birth Certificate Information: If you are unable to provide a birth certificate for proof of citizenship and have not been able to find record of your birth in government records, you will need to complete a number of additional steps to document your citizenship. These involve going in person to the passport issuing office in your city, providing an extensive list of signed and notarized documents to prove your identity, presenting a Letter of No Criminal Record and other documentation showing the date and place of birth, providing a notarized statement from a blood relative that was present at the time of birth, and providing copies of your parent(s) death certificates if applicable. For detailed information and a list of the documents that are required for proof of your citizenship and acceptable forms of identification, please visit your local passport office or simpler still just get in touch with your local Citrus counsellor!! 

• Visa: A visa is a document, provided by the country to which you will be traveling, which confirms your legitimate status as a foreign student. A visa is generally attached to a passport, so having a passport is necessary before you can apply for a visa. Some visas are free and easy to acquire, while others may cost over $100 and require a lot of documentation and planning ahead. Check with the embassy or consulate of the country to which you will be traveling - to determine if you will need a visa, and for information on how to apply for a visa if you do need one. Your Citrus Counsellor advisor can also help provide information on obtaining a visa. Foreign officials may require you to have a letter of acceptance, proof of insurance, and proof of sufficient funds before they will issue you a visa. A letter from your program provider confirming all of the above may be sufficient in some cases.
  
  
• Tickets: As most students will fly to their destination, your plane ticket will serve as your primary travel document. If you are long journeys types, a train or bus ticket may suffice(but no trains leave from Japan to US). Some countries will require you to show that you have a return or ongoing flight scheduled within the allotted time for your visa. Student visas can last from one month to one year depending on the country where you will be studying or traveling. If you plan to stay longer, you will need to extend your visa.
  
  
• Copies of Travel Documents: Along with your originals, bring a copy of all travel documents and leave copies of your travel documents with a contact in your home country and abroad. Remember to keep copies in a safe place, separate from where you keep your original documents.
  
  
• Proof of Sufficient Funds: Your destination country may also require proof of self-sufficiency while abroad. You may be asked to provide a bank statement with your current balance to show that you have enough money to pay for your needs while abroad without having to ask the country to provide you with monetary assistance.
  
  
• Proof of Insurance: You should have an insurance card or other documents verifying that you have travel and health insurance to cover you for the entire time you will be abroad.
  
  
• Letter of Acceptance: You may be required to show an official letter of acceptance or invitation to study abroad.
  
  
• International Student ID Card: You should consider purchasing an International Student ID Card (ISIC) as this can provide discounts, helps verify your travel purposes, and includes a limited amount of insurance and 24-hour assistance.
• Confirmation of Good Health: Foreign officials, or your program administrators, may require that a health form or letter of good health (confirmation that you are free from certain diseases, etc.) be provided to obtain a visa.
  
  
• Prescriptions: If you require prescription medications while abroad, you will very likely need to verify this requirement with a doctor's note. You may need a specially notarized prescription if the pharmacy you go to does not recognize your local prescriptions. You may also need to have your prescription translated into the language of your destination country in order to have it filled properly. Let your doctor know that you intend to travel abroad so that he/she can provide the appropriate documentation you will need to fill the prescription while away from home. Also, tell your program provider about your medical needs so that they can give you more detailed information on the documents you will need while abroad.
  
  
• Confirmation of Vaccination: You may also be asked to show proof of having received certain vaccinations to travel in regions with endemic diseases, like cholera, yellow fever, etc.