Studying abroad in 2022? Apply for your passport NOW!

By Rachel Gould, July 14, 2021

Are you thinking of study abroad in winter or spring of 2022?  If so, please note that the US State Department has announced very lengthy processing times for passport issuance.  If you don’t yet have a passport, or will need to renew your passport before traveling, you should take care of that this summer and not wait until the fall! 

Note that your passport must be valid for 6 months after the date you will return home from your study abroad experience.  So, for most students going abroad in Spring 2022, that means that passports should be valid until the end of November or December 2022.

Photo of a map and a US Passport

The US State Department Passport Services site lists the following timelines for passport processing as of July 14th:

  • Routine service can take up to 18 weeks (including 12 weeks for processing and 6 for mailing on the front and back end)
  • Expedited service, available for an additional $60 fee, can take up to 12 weeks (including 6 weeks for processing and 6 for mailing)

Remember that you will need a valid passport in order to apply for the visas that are required for many study abroad programs.  Therefore, do not delay and apply now!  Even if you apply now via expedited service, you may not have your passport back until mid-September.

Here are some helpful links to help you get started:

NEED MORE INFORMATION TO PLAN YOUR STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE?
Schedule an appointment with a study abroad adviser - we'll help you find the program that's right for you.  Please note: we recommend meeting with an academic adviser or your Dean's office to discuss your study abroad needs and timeline BEFORE scheduling a one-on-one study abroad appointment.

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International Programs and Extended Studies
(607) 274-3306
studyabroad@ithaca.edu