Preparing To Go Abroad

All Northwest students studying abroad are required to obtain a passport. Passport applications can take up to 2-4 months, and student visas another 2-3 weeks. Without a passport, students cannot apply for a student visa or enter other countries. It is your responsibility to apply for a passport and a student visa. Make sure you check if you need a visa for the country in which you are planning to study.

A passport is your valid identification as an US citizen. Passports are needed to enter and leave the United States and to enter and leave foreign countries. The US Department of State is the government authority that issues passports in the US. All Northwest students studying abroad are required to obtain a passport.

Passports must be valid for at least six months after program's end date. A passport will be needed when applying for a student visa (required for most study abroad programs).

Passport applications can take up to eight weeks. Without a passport, students cannot apply for a student visa. It is the students' responsibility to apply for a passport and student visa.

It is important to apply for your passport as soon as possible since the Passport Agency is behind due to high demand.

1. Provide Application for Passport, Form DS-11
2. Present Proof of Citizenship
   • Birth Certificate issued by the city, county or state
3. Present Proof of Identity
   • Driver's license
   • Two passport size pictures
4. Provide two passport size photos.
5. Pay the passport fee (Adult first time applicants is: $110 + execution fee $25)

For more information, instructions and to download the application please visit: the U.S. Department of State website.

Passport applications can be obtained and submitted at:

Maryville Post Office
507 N. Fillmore
Phone: (660) 582-2751

Open:
Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
No applications accepted past 4:30 p.m.
Saturday from Saturday 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Nodaway County Courthouse
303 N. Market
Phone: (660) 582-5431

Open:
Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
No applications accepted past 4 p.m.

To check whether a Student Visa is required, visit Visa Requirements. For many programs less than 90 days you will NOT need a visa (your passport is your visa).

Check the health document requirements needed for the university you are attending and look up if any documents are required to enter the country. Most countries will NOT require immunizations; however, some places in Africa, South America, and SE Asia may require shots or pills. For a list of immunization requirements by destination, visit Traveler's Health | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.