International Students

Non-US citizens must keep in mind several important visa considerations when planning to study abroad, including US visa renewal requirements, applying for a 3rd country visa for study abroad, and visa requirements for each country traveled through, before, during, and after their study abroad program, including transit visas. Most consulates and embassies will require a non-US citizen applicant to have a valid US entry visa in order to apply for a travel or international study visa. If you have a current US visa, it is highly recommended to apply for the 3rd country study abroad visa from the United States. However, if you need to renew your US visa, you may only do so outside the US and will need to plan accordingly. Applying for a 3rd country study abroad visa from outside the US may take longer, with a higher risk of your study abroad visa application being delayed or denied.

As you look at possible study abroad destinations, please note that in most cases, international students are not eligible for study abroad in their own country of origin as student visas and international student enrollment are aimed for those who are not currently citizens of the country. An additional important consideration is eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT) on your return from study abroad. An OPT application must be sent from within the US and can take several months for approval. Please consult with the International Students & Scholars Office if you are planning to utilize OPT after your return from study abroad.