Planning for Overseas Travel

Planning ahead is essential when traveling abroad! Taking care of the following will help you have a stress-free departure.

Obtain or renew your passport.

If you do not have a passport, you must apply for it immediately. If you have a passport, make sure it will be valid for at least six months beyond your anticipated return to the U.S. If it is due to expire before then, you must renew it.

  • Obtain passport photos at any of the following locations:

    • WildCARD Office (basement of Norris): $10 for 2 photos
    • CVS, 1711 Sherman Avenue
    • AAA, 1724 Sherman Avenue

    You should get several extra photos to be used for visa applications, the International Student Identity Card, etc.

  • Submit your application in person to the Evanston Post Office:

    1101 Davis Street
    Evanston, IL 60201
    (847) 328-6288

If you are not a U.S. citizen, contact the Northwestern International Office at (847) 491-5613 immediately to ensure that you do not jeopardize your residency status by participating in a program abroad. You will also need to contact the embassy or consulate of your host country to obtain the visa requirements for your host country.

Obtain a student visa (if required).

A visa is an official document issued by the government of the host country that grants entry. It is your responsibility to review pre-departure materials from your program, verify the visa requirements of your host country, and if necessary, obtain your visa. You should start this process early, as it can take anywhere from two weeks to three months to issue. Generally, you must give up your passport to obtain your visa, so international travel during the months before your departure date is often impossible.

Contact your program office to find out if you need a visa and if they have suggestions for obtaining one. You can also visit the U.S. Department of State's country-specific websites or contact your host country's U.S. embassy or consulate for further information. If you have questions about obtaining a student visa, contact your program provider.

Photocopy your travel documents.

Make at least two copies of your passport, visa (if applicable), plane tickets, credit cards, and any other important documents. Leave one set with a family member or trusted friend in the U.S. and keep the other set with you, separate from the originals. You should also write down important phone numbers (such as your bank, credit card company, etc.) and keep them in a safe place.

This simple step is the best thing you can do for yourself if your wallet or passport is lost or stolen while abroad!

Get necessary immunizations.

Make arrangements to get any necessary immunizations from Northwestern Health Services or a physician.

Although your family healthcare provider may be able to administer routine immunizations like Tetanus and Hepatitis A/B, most don’t stock specialized vaccines like Typhoid. NU Travel Health Services does, and generally provides vaccinations at a lower cost. The travel nurse will determine which medications/vaccines you’ll need based on your travel itinerary and provide you with related health information. Contact NU Travel Health Services for a list of vaccinations and medications they offer and their costs.

Call (847) 491-8100 to schedule your appointment at least eight weeks prior to departure, as some vaccines are administered in a series and thus require multiple visits to the clinic.

NOTE: This clinic does not administer the Yellow Fever vaccine.

Make flight arrangements.

Students are often responsible for arranging their own flights to and from their programs. Confirm with your program the date by which you are expected to arrive on-site.  Some suggested travel vendors*:

*Note: The Study Abroad Office does not endorse these vendors; contracts, agreements, terms, or pricing provisions have not been negotiated with them on behalf of the University.