Visa and Passport Information
What is a Passport?
A Passport is an international travel document issued by a traveler's Government. U.S. Passports are issued by the U.S. Government and not States or state agencies.
When and how do I apply for a Passport?
Apply now! You will need to apply in person if you are not renewing your Passport. Click here to visit the U.S. Department of State Travel section.
The Trinity Study Abroad Office recommends student get their Passport as soon as they arrive to Trinity as a First Year. If you would like to apply for your passport in San Antonio, we recommend you go to the City of San Antonio, Municipal Archives, Passports, and Records Facility at the S. Santa Rosa office. Go to their website (https://www.sanantonio.gov/Municipal-Archives-Records/Passports) for more details.
What is a Visa? What is a Residence Visa?
A Visa is a document attached to a traveler's Passport which allows entry into a country. The Visa is almost always obtained prior to arrival in the host country. A Residence Visa is similar to a Visa, but the traveler will obtain the permit after arriving in your host country. Depending on your country, they may refer to Residence Visa as a Residence Permit. If you are not sure what you need, please consult your program provider and/or the Trinity Study Abroad Office.
Will I need a Visa to study abroad?
For some nationalities no Visa is required. For some lengths of stay no Visa is required. For some purposes of entry (study, tourism, work) no Visa is required. As a rule of thumb, most U.S students who study abroad for periods longer than 90 days WILL be required to obtain a Visa. Almost all international students will need to obtain a Visa for any period of time abroad. Please contact your program provider or the TU Study Abroad Office and they can give you talk to you more when it comes to Visas.
What documents will I need for a Visa?
The list of documents will change for each country, but here is a list of common items requested to process a Visa.
- Visa Application
- Passport (original, with a blank page for a Visa)
- Fee; Visas are not free
- Admission letter from your program
- Proof of Residency
- Financial Support Letter
- Financial Documents (bank statements, savings accounts, etc.)
- TU Study Abroad Office support letter
How do I apply for a Visa?
In some cases, students can apply for their Visa online and submit their application documents through the mail. However, some countries REQUIRE students to visit their host countries embassy or consulate somewhere in the U.S.
Will I need to have documents notarized?
In some cases you may need to have a document notarized. If so, please contact E'Randa Newsome (enewsome@trinity.edu) in the Center For International Engagement so she can help you get documents notarized.
In some cases, students can apply for their Visa online and submit their application documents through the mail. However, some countries REQUIRE students to visit their host countries embassy or consulate somewhere in the U.S.
Will I need to have documents notarized?
In some cases you may need to have a document notarized. If so, please contact E'Randa Newsome (enewsome@trinity.edu) in the Center For International Engagement so she can help you get documents notarized.
Will I need to submit a background check?
In some cases you may need to provide a criminal history record/ history check to obtain a visa. Please visit the Texas Department of Public Safety to obtain your report. If you need a FBI background check (officially called Identity History Summary Checks), please visit the FBI website for more information. FBI background checks can take months, so start early. If you need an electronic report, then you can get it back sometimes in days.
Trinity recommends students obtain their FBI background check via a official "channeler." A channeler is an authorized service that can perform FBI history checks quicker, but for a small fee of around $50. Trinity recommend students use IdentoGo.com to obtain an FBI History Check. They have locations in many U.S. cities where you can get fingerprinted and have your history check completed in most cases within a few hours.
NOTE: You will see that the FBI background check may also go other names such as history check or Identify History Summary Check as called by the FBI.
Where can I get fingerprinted?
TUPD can help with fingerprinting if you need it. Please contact Lt. Santellan or Sgt. Lummus via email if you would like to have your fingerprints taken on campus.
In some cases you may need to provide a criminal history record/ history check to obtain a visa. Please visit the Texas Department of Public Safety to obtain your report. If you need a FBI background check (officially called Identity History Summary Checks), please visit the FBI website for more information. FBI background checks can take months, so start early. If you need an electronic report, then you can get it back sometimes in days.
Trinity recommends students obtain their FBI background check via a official "channeler." A channeler is an authorized service that can perform FBI history checks quicker, but for a small fee of around $50. Trinity recommend students use IdentoGo.com to obtain an FBI History Check. They have locations in many U.S. cities where you can get fingerprinted and have your history check completed in most cases within a few hours.
NOTE: You will see that the FBI background check may also go other names such as history check or Identify History Summary Check as called by the FBI.
Where can I get fingerprinted?
TUPD can help with fingerprinting if you need it. Please contact Lt. Santellan or Sgt. Lummus via email if you would like to have your fingerprints taken on campus.