Information on Preparing to Travel
Passports and Visas
Apply early for a U.S. passport. Processing an application takes four to six weeks—longer during the peak travel season. You may apply in person at selected post offices, at a federal or state court of record, or at one of the passport agencies of the U.S. State Department (http://www.travel.state.gov/).
A visa is written permission to visit a country granted by the government of that country. Visas (often student visas) are required by most countries for a semester or full year of study. However in a majority of Latin America, African, Asian and Oceanic countries, visas are required of all visitors no matter the duration of the stay. Check with a travel agency or with the embassies or nearest consulates of the countries you plan to visit (locate them through http://www.embassy.org/) to determine if a visa is necessary. If so, apply directly to the embassy or consulate of the country(ies) in question. Visas cannot be obtained from the Passport Service of the U.S. State Department.
Health Precautions
Consult your physician six to eight weeks before you leave. Immunization requirements vary. Many countries require no immunization, however doctors recommend that everyone receive a primary series of immunizations against tetanus and diphtheria and a tetanus-diphtheria toxoid booster injection every ten years. If you are required for medical reasons to take any drug that may be subject to abuse statutes, be sure to have your prescription bottles and a copy of your prescription with you.
Access to the latest information on health issues can be obtained via the Centers for Disease Control (CDC); you may visit the CDC website to determine whether any specific vaccinations are needed to visit a country or learn of any dangerous outbreaks of disease at http://www.cdc.gov/.
