All participants must check their passport expiration date and renew or apply for a passport immediately. For those traveling in March, we will need a copy of a valid passport by December. Passports are required to be valid for six months after the date of return from abroad.
***Passports are required to be valid for six months after the date of return from abroad.
Current Processing Times
Routine: 4 to 6 weeks
Expedited: 2 to 3 weeks
Urgent: Must make an appointment and have international travel within 14 calendar days
*Mailing times are not included in processing times. Processing times only include the time your application is at one of our passport agencies or centers. The total time to get your passport includes both processing and mailing times. It may take up to 2 weeks for applications to arrive by mail at a passport agency or center, and up to 2 weeks for you to receive a completed passport in the mail after we print it. Consider the total time it will take to receive your passport when you are booking travel.
Providing a safe environment for the participants is our top priority. All the participants will follow appropriate safety guidelines as set forth:
I understand that countries may have immunization requirements, and that my child will need to adhere to those guidelines
I understand that if my child is sick on the date of departure (including, but not limited to fever, chills, symptoms related to respiratory illness, vomiting, diarrhea, ear/sinus/eye infection, etc.) my child will not be permitted to participate in the trip. If my child is unable to attend the trip, if I purchased Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance, I will file a claim to be partially reimbursed for the cost of the trip.
I understand that participation in the trip is voluntary, and I acknowledge the risk of exposure to or infection during the trip. I agree that my child will comply with all the guidelines and procedures, including distancing and/or masking, that may be implemented by MBS or a third-party vendor, in accordance with recommendations from the CDC, WHO, and other public health authorities.
I understand that MBS has the right to change or amend the above Student Health Guidelines as deemed necessary.
Review carefully the links provided below to the websites that contain relevant safety information. As per the Parent Release, Hold Harmless, and Indemnification Agreement, I understand that the information provided is designed to protect your son/daughter and you hereby accept sole responsibility for any failure of your son/daughter to comply with same.
All participants are required to download the Mobile Passport App
Students can fill in their basic passport data into the app. This info will remain in the app to allow for a quicker process upon arrival. Within 4 hours of walking through passport control, you answer a few very basic questions (what terminal are you arriving in, have you been around livestock, etc) and "submit a form" and a pic taken in the app on your phone. Once you submit this, the form is good for 4 hours, and a countdown timer appears in the app.
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Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
All participants are required to enroll in the SmartTraveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll in their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals to enroll their trip abroad so the Department of State can accurately and quickly contact them in case of emergency.
Get real time updates about health, weather, safety, and security in the country.
Plan ahead using information from the local U.S. embassy.
Help the embassy or consulate contact you if there's an emergency like a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a family emergency.
Calle 98, Via 104
Pavas
San José, Costa Rica
Telephone: + (506) 2519-2000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: + (506) 2220-3127
Fax: + (506) 2220-2455
Email: ACSSanJose@state.gov
Routine American Citizens Services appointments available online.