Student Travel Information

University - Related Travel Resources and Considerations

Go SAFE (Travel Resources) & 24/7 Emergency Call Number: 612-301-2255 (CALL)

Other Travel Considerations

US State Department Travel Advisory System - This system provides up-to-date travel-related safety considerations, which dictate the need to engage the University's ITRAAC travel approval process.

Visa Considerations

Visa requirements vary depending on destination country and the nationality of the traveler. First and foremost, students should take steps to learn about home and destination country and nationality specific requirements.

Often there are several types of visas available. For example, the US maintains a comprehensive list of visa types for travel to the US. The preceding link is included to illustrate the range of visas that may exist in your destination country. For University-related travel a few general categories typically apply. They include:

  • Student visa - a student visa typically applies to cases where the individual is traveling to study at an institution of higher learning within the visa-issuing country. It is not the case that, because the applicant is a student, he/she would require a student visa. MDP students should not be traveling on student visas.
  • Research visa - a research visa typically applies to cases where scholars are traveling to conduct formal research or for professional purposes, such as a conference. While many types of travel related endeavors might include a research component, research visas generally apply only to those where the individual is professionally engaged in research.
  • Tourist visa - a tourist visa typically applies to situations where the individual is traveling for pleasure or perhaps traveling to volunteer with an organization in the visa-issuing country. Tourist visas typically have a relatively short travel window (often 30-days) and require an individual to either renew or to physically leave the country and reenter if duration exceeds allowed time frame.
  • Business visa - a business visa typically applies to situations where the individual will be traveling for a short to medium term (or re-entry) to engage in the work of the individual's affiliated, home institution. This work may be in collaboration or partnership with a local (to visa) organization or institution. MDP students whose work supports organizations with formal agreements with the MDP program or University should consider a business visa if their project work is supporting that relationship.
  • Work visa - a work visa typically applies to situations where the individual will be residing and working for payment for a fixed, often extended timeframe. MDP students should not be traveling on work visas.

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the traveler to identify visa options available for the destination country and to determine - in consultation with the faculty advisor and client - the best option for his/her particular case.

The University of Minnesota also recommends to external companies to support visa applications. They are:

  • VISA
  • VISA

For the application process there are several items that you probably want to have on hand:

  • A scan of your passport
  • A PDF of your itinerary
  • A scan of a relatively recent passport photo
  • Dates and durations of travel to other countries within the last three months
  • A travel summary / overview document that includes purpose of travel

Other things to consider

  • Passport expiration date. Countries often have specific rules about how much valid time must remain on a passport upon entry.
  • Passport pages. Countries often have specific rules about how many blank pages must be present in the passport. Pages can be added to passports but the process requires time.
  • Shot/vaccination records. Countries typically require certain immunizations and specific documentation for entry.
  • Time and travel. Passport and visa processes are notoriously slow and may entail travel to a consulate. Plan accordingly.