Planning Travel

Passports/Visas
Learn about your destination
Booking Travel
Travel Checklist

Travel Warning Policy Notice: Students, or faculty and staff planning student travel, must comply with the University policy on travel to countries subject to a State Department travel warning. This policy extends to any student travel that is University-supported or conducted for academic credit at the University, regardless of whether it is part of an organized program.

Passports/Visas

To obtain passport application materials, visit the State Department passport website. To find out about a particular country’s visa requirements for US citizens, consult the US State Department’s Consular Information Sheets. For non-U.S. citizens, seek information from your country’s equivalent agency. (A database of links to foreign ministry websites is available.) Please be advised that due to increased workload, applications for US passports may be processed more slowly than is indicated by published processing times. If you require a passport photo, a service is available on campus at Vital Vittles, located in the Leavey Center.

As of June 1, 2007, all US citizens conducting travel to Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean must present a US passport upon re-entry to the United States. Currently, U.S. citizens need to present either (a) a passport, passport card (available in spring 2008), or WHTI-compliant document; or (b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. By June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of the WHTI. The proposed rules require most citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document.
Note: The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. For more information see the State Department's press release.

It is often the case that countries require special scholar visas even for short-term visits involving lectures or research. In order to avoid potential problems at the border or during the visa application process, it is recommended to research your destination country’s visa policies regarding scholar travel. If you encounter visa difficulties as a scholar traveling to a particular country, please notify the site administrator so that future Georgetown travelers can be informed.

For further information regarding study abroad, please visit Department of State's Students Abroad.

Learn about your destination

There are a variety of resources available to members of the Georgetown community planning international travel. Lauinger Library has a variety of informational resources, including country guides and international news databases. Before departure, all travelers should consult U.S. Department of State Consular Information Sheets and International SOS country guides on their destination, as these documents contain important information on issues such as medical care and US Embassy services. Non-US citizens should consult their equivalent agencies.

Booking Travel

Georgetown University’s official travel agency, West End Travel, is able to obtain special rates for members of the University community, particularly for flight and hotel expenses within the northeastern US. West End is also able to bill directly to Georgetown cost centers and pre-pay for hotels, reducing reimbursement paperwork. Contact West End at (202) 986-2066 (toll-free 1-800-358-1146), or consult their web site.

Travel Checklist: Pre-departure Suggestions

• Obtain passport and required visas. Due to current processing delays, US passports should be applied for 4-6 months before departure, though in an emergency situation applications can be rushed at substantially higher costs. Many countries process visa applications in a matter of days, but for some countries it may take up to several weeks. Contact your destination country’s embassy or consulate for more information. A list of embassies located in Washington, DC is available here.
• Ensure your GOCard and other identification are current and unexpired. In an emergency, a current GOCard may be the only thing that links you to Georgetown. Expired GOCards can be renewed free of charge at the GOCard Office in Darnall Hall.
• Review recommendations for inoculations and vaccinations. International SOS country guides include a list of recommended vaccines. Allow sufficient time (one month recommended) to make an appointment with a healthcare provider.
• Ensure you will have an adequate supply of your medications. Order a supply of any prescription medications you will need while you are away, as well as a copy of any eyeglass prescriptions. International SOS country guides contain detailed information on the best way to minimize difficulties in bringing prescription drugs through customs.
• Ensure you have appropriate health insurance. Georgetown faculty or staff who obtain health benefits from the University can find information on the applicability of their benefits at the web site of the Office of Faculty and Staff Benefits. Students who use the University’s student health insurance plan can find further information at the Student Insurance web site.
• If planning to drive, ensure you have the appropriate permit. Some countries will allow drivers to use their American license for short-term visits, while others may require an International Driving Permit (IDP.) Information on the IDP is available through AAA.
• If you are renting a van for University purposes, ensure that you have completed the appropriate training with Risk Management.
• Make and carry with you photocopies of important documents. It is particularly important to have copies of your airline reservation, trip itinerary, and the front page of your passport. Copies of credit cards and phone numbers of your financial institution are also important in the event that they are lost or stolen. In addition, photocopies of these documents should be given to a trusted emergency contact.
• Be sure Georgetown has your current emergency contact information. This is particularly important for those traveling on University business. Emergency contact information can be updated through Access+.
• Print and carry with you a copy of the International SOS wallet card. This will enable you to easily contact SOS in the event of an emergency.
• Ensure you will be able to obtain cash at your destination. It is often easy to obtain cash in a foreign country through an ATM; however, some banks require account holders to register before their ATM card will function abroad. Consult with your bank regarding its particular requirements. Regardless of one’s individual situation, it is advisable to obtain a small amount of spending money in the destination country’s currency before departure.
• For US citizens, register travel with the local US embassy. Registration allows you to be easily located by embassy personnel in the event of an emergency and can be accomplished quickly online at http://travelregistration.state.gov.
• If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, ensure your US visa paperwork is in order for return to the US. Check the conditions of your US visa to ensure your travel will not conflict with your visa requirements. It is advisable to bring extra evidence of your visa status in case you are challenged at Immigration upon return.