Passports and Visas

IMPORTANT -- READ FIRST:

Students traveling on a summer program with Loop Abroad should not apply for an education visa. If you are not American or Canadian and you need to apply for a visa for your program, you must email admissions@loopabroad.com BEFORE applying for your visa to ensure that your application is correct. 

Participants traveling on a US or Canadian passport to Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, South Africa, Thailand, or programs in the United States do NOT need to pre-arrange a visa, except in the case of traveling over 30 days. If your program is over 30 days, we will let you know if a visa is required and send you directions on how to apply and which visa to apply for. Do not apply for any visa for your program without contacting Loop Abroad first! 

For all program countries EXCEPT AUSTRALIA, the following information applies:

• You MUST have a passport to travel internationally. If you are a US citizen, you will not need to pre-arrange a visa (except for the Thailand Veterinary Semester Abroad, in some cases). You simply need a passport that is valid for at least SIX MONTHS after your trip ends.

• You do not need a passport to apply for a program, but you do need it to participate in a program. Once you have enrolled, you can apply for a passport at your local Post Office.

• For information about applying for a passport, visit the US Department of State Website here.

• If you are a citizen of a country other than the US, it is your responsibility to understand the entry requirements and to secure any required visas and any other entry requirements, such as medical certificates or vaccines. If you have a green card, you must present both your passport and your green card at the time of travel.

• It is a good idea to make a few copies of your passport. Leave a copy at home with your family. Keep a copy in each piece of luggage you take with you. Carry a copy with you while you are abroad. Upon arrival in the country, Loop Abroad will collect your passports and keep them safe for the duration of your program.

Visa Information by Country:

Please do not apply for any visa without contacting us first at admissions@loopabroad.com. DO NOT APPLY FOR ANY VISA WITHOUT SPEAKING WITH LOOP ABROAD FIRST. Loop Abroad is not responsible for travel delays or cancellations due to invalid travel documents and no refund will be given for participants who cannot obtain the proper visa if needed

South Africa

US citizens traveling to South Africa do not need to obtain a visa prior to arriving in South Africa and should not apply for a visa. If you are a citizen of another country and/or are traveling from another country, it is your responsibility to check the entry requirements and ensure that you can enter South Africa without a pre-arranged visa. If a pre-arranged visa is required, you must obtain one before departure. 

Thailand

Students will need a visa on arrival. Information will be in your "travel day email". Do not apply for a visa until information is sent out. 

Costa Rica/Panama

US and Canadian citizens traveling to Costa Rica/Panama do not need a visa for stays less than 90 days. Students traveling from these countries do not need proof of any vaccines. (If you have recently traveled to a country requiring a Yellow Fever vaccine, you may need your immunization record with proof of that vaccine.) 

USA

US Citizens to do not need a visa to travel within the US. If you are a citizen of another country, or you are traveling from or onto another country, it is your responsibility to check the entry requirements to determine whether you need a visa and/or whether you must carry proof of any required vaccines. 

Bali 

Students will need a visa on arrival. Information will be in your "travel day email". Do not apply for a visa until information is sent out. 

Egypt

Students will need a visa on arrival. Information will be in your "travel day email". Do not apply for a visa until information is sent out.

All students who hold a USA or Canadian passport must apply for an ETA Visa. If you are not from America or Canada, please contact Loop Abroad before applying for an ETA Visa. 

To visit Australia as a tourist with Loop Abroad, you will need to apply for an ETA. This is a fast process that can be done online in about 15 minutes. It costs about $20. It is important that you fill in the form correctly. Please find detailed information here and contact us before submitting your ETA application if you have any questions. Your "Visa Grant Number" and "ETA Reference Number" are the same. 

Australia Pre-Vet Wildlife Medicine at Walkabout Wildlife Park:

The contact you should be using is: 

1 Darkinjung Rd

Calga NSW 2250

Australia

Phone: (+61) 2 4375 1100

Contact: Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary

Australia Wildlife Hospital at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary:

The contact you should be using is: 

Coolangatta YHA

230 Coolangatta Rd

Bilinga QLD, Australia 4225

Phone:  (+61) 7 5564 0987

Contact: Coolangatta YHA

BEFORE YOU APPLY FOR THE VISA, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS:

- You must have your passport in order to apply for the visa.

- The visa is called an ETA, which stands for “Electronic Travel Authority”

- When you apply for the ETA online, select TOURIST as the ETA type

DETAILED, STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ARE PROVIDED IN THIS “VISA AUSTRALIA INFO” DOCUMENT. Applying for the wrong type of visa may make you ineligible to enter Australia. Applying for a visa on the wrong website may cause you to pay extra. Please follow the directions carefully – the process is fast and easy.

Once you have applied for the ETA, you will be notified by email that it has been granted. Loop Abroad requires you to print this confirmation email and carry it with your passport. If you complete the application correctly, your ETA should be approved and your confirmation email will arrive quickly. If your application for an ETA is denied, please contact admissions@loopabroad.com.

Do not apply for any other type of Australia visa other than the TOURIST ETA. If you will be staying in Australia for an extended period of time, or you are from a country that does not require an ETA, you MUST contact Loop Abroad first (admissions@loopabroad.com) before applying for any other type of visa. It is your responsibility to check the Australian entry requirements and apply for and pay for a visa if needed. Loop Abroad is not responsible for travel delays or cancellations due to invalid travel documents and no refund will be given for participants who cannot obtain the proper visa if needed.