Frequently Asked Questions

Our Get Started page provides step-by-step instructions. We're excited to work with you!

No appointment is necessary! Once you’ve completed your first steps, in-person advising is available on a drop-in basis. Our office is located in Center for Community (C4C), S355. Advisors are available Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm.

If you can't make it in to the office, feel free to contact us via live chat or email.

All of our programs have a class standing requirement. Most programs require sophomore or junior standing. If you have transfer credit, it will be considered in determining your class standing.

Speak with your Academic Advisor and consider your extracurricular involvement to decide when education abroad will best fit into your schedule.

In order to give yourself time to research, select, and apply to a program we recommend that you begin planning your education abroad experience a year in advance. Application deadlines are typically early in the semester prior to the term you intend to go abroad. That said, admissions is rolling for most programs, so it’s in your best interest to apply early (over summer or winter breaks).

Note: some scholarship deadlines precede program deadlines; planning early will enable you to apply for more scholarships!

If you are a CU Boulder student, you have hundreds of CU Boulder approved education abroad programs to choose from! We encourage you to find a program that is a great fit for you by considering factors such as courses offered, location, program type, cost, etc.

There are many benefits to going on a CU Boulder approved program including the ability to earn CU Boulder credit, the ability to use federal/institutional/state financial aid, and more.

Some programs are open to students who do not attend CU Boulder. To see these programs, use our program search. The search criteria “Open to students from” allows you to search by state, institution, or country.

Any program you find through our program search is a CU Boulder approved program. A program is considered “approved” after it has been evaluated by the CU Boulder Education Abroad Committee and determined to meet CU Boulder academic standards. If you participate in a CU-approved program you will earn in-residence credit (as if the work had been completed on the Boulder campus) for courses taken abroad, and can apply federal, state, and institutional financial aid to the program.

Try using our program search to find options that match your goals and priorities. Search by: location, term, cost, program type, academic subject, eligibility, and much more. Of course, Education Abroad Advisors are also available to help!

CU Boulder partners with universities worldwide allowing students to “exchange” a term at CU with a student from a partner university abroad. Exchange programs internationalize the Boulder campus and present unique opportunities for both incoming and outgoing students. When exchange positions are available, it reduces the overall cost of the program. While exchanges are among our most affordable programs, they require a high level of independence.

Use the “Exchange" parameter of our program search (under "Program Features") to explore exchange options. Some exchange programs can be competitive; speak with an Education Abroad Advisor to learn more.

Yes! You can take courses taught in English in over 50 countries. Use the program search parameter “Pre-Program Language Level” and select “*No experience with host country language” to find programs that offer courses in English. Be sure to check the course prerequisites for any program you are considering, as some of our programs have other prerequisites besides language background.

Our foreign language course requirements are based on CU Boulder’s language course structure. For example, if a program requires 4 semesters of college-level Spanish, you need to have completed Spanish 2120/50 (or another university’s equivalent) before your program begins. If you haven’t taken language classes at the college level, you can find out your estimated proficiency by taking the online language placement exam.

Results from this exam are a good indicator of what programs you may be eligible for, but they do not guarantee that you can apply for those programs. It’s important to know that language exam results tell you what language level you have placed into at CU Boulder, not what you have placed out of. For example, if you take this exam and the results yield SPAN 3000, this indicates that you have placed out of SPAN 2120/50. However, this does not make you eligible for programs with a SPAN 3000 requirement; you would need to complete SPAN 3000 in order to apply for those programs.

For languages not listed here, please contact an Education Abroad Advisor for assistance.

It is strongly preferred that students complete academic coursework in the semester prior to the experience abroad to ensure adequate preparation and maximum potential to succeed while abroad. Students may or may not be permitted to go abroad in the term following a full semester away from CU (or away from an academic institution). Education Abroad staff will consider each case individually, with a focus on the academic performance in the most recent semester (among other factors). Students may be asked for additional information or documentation.

It’s possible to complete your final degree requirements while on education abroad; however, based on transcript timelines, your graduation date and receipt of diploma may be delayed. It’s important to work with your department or college to make sure that you will receive the credits you need while abroad. Keep in mind that education abroad programs often don’t end until after CU’s graduation dates; being abroad may preclude participating in a commencement ceremony (although you will be permitted to participate in an earlier or later May or December ceremony).

You can go abroad in the term immediately following graduation. For example, if you graduated in the spring, you may go abroad on one of our summer programs. If you graduate and then go abroad, you may no longer be eligible for financial aid, and you may be required to begin paying back loans (if applicable). If you are affected by these considerations, you may wish to delay graduation until after your education abroad program ends. Regardless of whether you’ve graduated, the education abroad program name and overall credits passed/earned will appear on your transcript.

Abroad 101 is your first step. It’s important to complete this even if you know what program you want to go on. (Note: graduate students are exempt from this requirement). Then, contact an Education Abroad Advisor either in-person, via email, live chat, or over the phone. An advisor will determine your eligibility and work with you to ensure this program is the right fit. They will also make sure you have reviewed all of your options. From there, an advisor will open an application, which you can access through Buff Portal.

An application typically includes short-answer personal statements, transcript(s), online forms and materials for our office and/or your education abroad organization or host university, and an application fee. A few programs also ask for a short-form academic reference (from a college level professor or graduate TA).

Your application is complete when all of the items in your MyCUAbroad checklist have been marked as received (a check box next to the item) and after you click on the Submit button at the top of your application page.

We verify your eligibility when we open your application. If you submit a quality application by the posted deadline, you have a good chance of being accepted. Weak personal statements and/or discrepancies in your academic/disciplinary histories may affect your chances of acceptance. Note that most programs fill on a rolling basis and some have limited enrollment. It is always in your best interest to apply early!

We work hard to help you find a program that is a good fit for your academic and personal goals. We limit you to one program per term, so that you can invest your time and effort into one strong application. Note: you may apply for more than one summer program if the dates don’t overlap and you plan to attend both.

Applications for most programs are reviewed on a rolling basis while applications for certain exchanges are reviewed after the posted application deadline. For programs with rolling admissions, you will receive an admission decision 1-3 weeks after you complete your application. If you are applying to a program without rolling admissions, you can expect a decision 1-3 weeks after the deadline. You will be notified via email in all cases.

If you are not accepted to your first choice program, a good alternative is likely available. We will work with you to explore options that suit your academic and personal goals. If you are not accepted because of your disciplinary status, you may be eligible to reapply at a later date. Please note that our office cannot guarantee acceptance into any program.

While your application is in review, there is still plenty to do! Start reviewing visa requirements for your country (if necessary) and make sure your passport is up-to-date - it should be valid for at least 6 months after the end of your program. Also, begin to search course offerings for potential courses you may want to take while abroad.

Both applications must be complete by the CU Boulder deadline. Many education abroad organizations require hard-copy items (official transcripts, passport photos, etc.). If you need to mail items, they should be post-marked by our deadline.

Nothing is wrong – CU Boulder Education Abroad sends appropriate materials once we have made an acceptance decision, so it may take 2-3 weeks before they are sent.

It can take several days for forms to be uploaded to your checklist. We date-stamp every piece we receive, so even if it takes a few days to check in, we know when you submitted it.

Carefully read the instructions in your MyCUAbroad or education abroad organization application about the reference requirements. Several weeks before the application deadline, ask a professor, instructor or graduate-level TA if s/he is willing to complete an Academic Evaluation: Short Form for you. Once s/he has agreed, log in to MyCUAbroad and either:

• Request the Academic Evaluation: Short Form by clicking on “Request E-Recommendation” and following the prompts to enter their contact information, or
• Enter the person’s contact information under “Academic Reference Contact Information" so that we can contact them should an academic evaluation be required.

Usually no. For almost all programs, references MUST come from a graduate TA or faculty member who has taught you in a college course, either at CU Boulder or another institution. References that come from an advisor or supervisor will be considered supplementary and will not count as a required reference.

The exception to this is if you are applying to an ISA internship or other select internship programs. In these cases, your reference should come from an employer or advisor.

Please contact an Education Abroad Advisor in our office to discuss your options.

Use the costs that are posted from the most recent term as an estimate. If you don’t see any costs posted for your program this means that the program is new. Please contact our office for assistance.

Yes. You are required to report all incidents--including warnings--on and/or off-campus. For questions about how your disciplinary history can affect your participation, read the Eligibility webpage.

If and when you are accepted, you'll be informed of your exchange or non-exchange position in your acceptance email.

Generally yes, but many factors have to be taken into account. In most cases you will still need to apply for the program for the following term and meet all deadlines, but there are sometimes exceptions if you are staying on the same program in the same location. In some situations it is not possible to stay abroad longer due to visa requirements. You should email your CU Program Manager if you are considering extending your stay.

Credit earned on a CU Boulder education abroad program is considered "in residence" credit. This means that your coursework on a CU Boulder approved program counts just like the coursework you complete here in Boulder. In order to determine what degree requirements these courses will fulfill, you will Submit Courses for Evaluation.

All courses will appear on your CU degree audit.  Your education abroad program name and overall credits passed/earned will also appear on your transcript. At minimum, your courses will be elective credit unless you take a course(s) that is not eligible for credit at CU Boulder. Learn more on the Fulfilling Credit Abroad webapge.

If you complete a for-credit internship but do not get written review & approval from your college or department, you will not earn any credit for the internship and it will not appear on your CU transcript. See the International Internships page for more information.

There are two different grading systems depending on your program:

• Pass/Fail: On your program, the grades you earn abroad will be converted to pass/fail credit on your CU Boulder transcript. None of your pass/fail grades will be calculated into your CU GPA. Based on a conversion formula developed by the Education Abroad Committee, the converted grades are defined as:
  • Pass (C- or better)
  • No Credit (D+ to D-)
  • Fail (F)
• Letter Grades: For programs where CU Boulder acts as the school of record, including Faculty-led Global Seminars, Global Internships, and Global Intensives, students earn letter grades. 

• Education abroad pass/fail courses posted with grades of “Pass” can apply towards major, minor, A&S Gen Ed, and other degree requirements, with formal approval from the relevant department.
• Students cannot choose to have letter grades recorded instead of pass/fail (and vice/versa).
• Note that even if you only earn pass/fail at CU, graduate/professional schools may request your transcripts from abroad and see the letter grades you earned on your program.

All majors available at CU Boulder are available abroad, though exactly how courses count towards your degree is something you will need to research and plan. To search for programs by general subjects available, used our program search.  The Course Approvals List includes over 20,000 approvals for various CU majors and degree requirements.  Be sure to cross-check the approvals list with your program's current course offerings to ensure that they will be offered while you are abroad. 

You will work closely with your Education Abroad Program Manager and your Academic Advisor(s) to plan the specifics of your courses once you select a program.

For some programs, course offerings/schedules may not be available until shortly before the program start date, or until you are on-site. In this case, work with your Academic Advisor before you leave to develop a plan and for what you hope to fulfill while abroad.  Use the Course Approvals List as much as possible, and then submit courses for review after the formal offerings are posted (the CU course review process is done electronically).

Review the Fulfilling Credit Abroad page to learn how the courses you take on your program can help you fulfill your CU degree requirements.  

Review the Fulfilling Credit Abroad page to understand the course content needed in order for a course to be approved for a specific Gen Ed or MAPS area. Courses already approved for A&S Gen Ed requirements can be found on the Course Approvals List. You can submit the A&S Gen Ed/MAPS Evaluation Request Form found on the Submitting Courses for Evaluation page to have new courses evaluated as well. 

Review the Course Planning page to determine when your Academic Advisor or Ed Abroad staff are your best resource. Both teams are here to support you as you plan for your program!

Yes, although we strongly encourage you to do so prior to departure.  If you can't access course offerings until after your arrival abroad, then be sure to submit classes for review ASAP.  Do NOT wait until after you return - submit courses as soon as you can.

See Transcripts & Post-Program Academics for an estimated time of arrival of your program coursework. Once our office has received your transcript, it will be processed and posted to your degree audit, where it can be viewed by you and your Academic Advisor. It will take up to 3 weeks after your courses are available in the degree audit system before the education abroad program name and overall credit passed/earned will appear on your CU Boulder transcript.

By carefully planning their courses, most students who go abroad still graduate within their intended timeframe. We recommend the following steps:

• Select as many courses from the Course Approvals List as possible.  Submit additional courses for review as needed (and as soon as you can determine your courses abroad).  Don't make any assumptions about how courses count!  
• Be sure to cross-check courses between the approvals list and your program website to ensure that they will be offered during your term abroad.
• Stay in close communication with your Academic Advisor throughout the process.
• Keep all documentation about all the courses you took (papers, reading lists, etc.) until the courses are posted to your audit and counting towards any pre-approved degree requirements.
• See Transcripts & Post-Program Academics page to learn when CU will receive your transcript and post the credits to your degree audit 

No, you do not pay Boulder campus tuition and fees when you are on a CU education abroad program. Instead, you pay the actual cost of your education abroad program, which varies greatly from program to program. Some programs cost less than what Colorado residents would normally pay to study and live in Boulder. Some programs cost more than what non-residents would normally pay to study and live in Boulder. Most program costs fall somewhere in between these two extremes. On average, a semester abroad costs more than a semester at CU for resident students and less than a semester at CU for non-resident students.

To quickly find the cost of any CU education abroad program, consult the Program Costs page. The bottom line (Total Estimated Budget) includes the cost of tuition & fees, room & board, health insurance, books & supplies, airfare, personal and living expenses.

The short answer is that education abroad program costs vary widely: some programs will be less expensive than what you pay at CU (view estimates of comprehensive costs to study/live at CU), some may be about the same cost, and some may be more expensive. This can be true for both resident students and non-resident students.

Below are some sample program costs, with comparisons to the total estimated costs to attend CU. These are not the only program cost options: CU Boulder offers over 300 programs, and you can find programs that offer lower (and higher) costs in the same region compared to those listed below. Note that all costs listed below are estimates of the total estimated costs that you pay per semester, including costs such as tuition, housing, food, books, spending money, health insurance, etc.

*CU semester costs are based on the estimates provided by the Office of Financial Aid, but note that we are also providing estimates for Personal and Living expenses which the Office of Financial Aid does not put into their budgets.

When you go abroad, you will mostly pay for the same types of costs that you encounter during a term at CU (instructional costs, "tuition" for your program), housing costs, food costs, health insurance, transportation, etc.). However, there are a few additional costs that you may have when going abroad. The following are examples of some of these costs. Most of these costs are included in the estimated costs in each program budget on the Program Costs page:

• Airfare to and from your host country
• Passport application fee
• Visa application fee (not required for every country)
• CU Boulder Education Abroad Administrative fee 
• Immunizations (only needed for certain locations)
• Personal spending money for extra travel - varies greatly from student to student (not included in Program cost budgets)

Program costs vary greatly from program to program, largely because of two factors: location and program infrastructure. Programs located in countries with a comparably low cost of living are generally more affordable. Programs located in countries with a high cost of living (such as Australia, New Zealand, or countries in Western/Central Europe) are generally more expensive. These costs are also affected by exchange rates.

Programs with more infrastructure and numerous built-in services contribute to a higher program cost. A program like Semester at Sea, for example, has high infrastructure costs due to the cost of the ship, the services on board and the large, necessary staff. However, programs with a low infrastructure costs still offer good support for students and sometimes offer opportunities such as field trips and volunteer opportunities. There is not a direct correlation between program cost and level of quality.

Since students will still be billed for their education abroad program fee through the CU Bursar's Office, payments are due at the same time as regular CU Boulder tuition. Tuition for fall, the first semester of an academic year program and the second semester of a calendar year program will be due on September 5. Tuition for spring, the second semester of an academic year program and the first semester of a calendar year program will be due on February 5. Tuition for summer programs will be due on June 5 regardless of when the program actually begins. For additional information, please read through the Billing page within the Accepted Student Guide.

Please note that some costs such as program deposits, plane tickets, visa fees, immunizations, and possibly housing costs will need to be paid sooner than these dates. For more information about possible additional costs, please see the FAQ below called "What am I paying for when I go abroad?"

Education Abroad students are eligible to enroll in the same payment plan options as they would during a typical semester. The payment plans are available through the Bursar's Office, and will allow you to breakdown your EA program fee into monthly installments. The due date of the first payment will vary depending on which option you select. Reach out to the Bursar's website if you have any specific questions about the payment plans options or how to sign up.

Yes! You can use your federal, state and institutional financial aid on approved education abroad programs. Additional information is available on our Financial Aid page.

Numerous scholarships are available to students applying to go abroad. Most students will be eligible to apply for at least 1-2 scholarships, if not more! Additional information is available on our Scholarships Page.

Any current scholarships awarded by CU Boulder will apply toward approved program costs and appear on your bill as they normally would. If you receive private scholarships from another organization, please check with that organization directly about applicability of those funds.

CU Boulder education abroad programs are not COF eligible, nor will the credit earned be deducted from the 145 lifetime credit hour limit.

• COF funding cannot be used to pay education abroad costs because the COF is used to offset Boulder campus tuition. Students on CU Boulder education abroad programs do not pay tuition to Boulder while abroad.
• Because you cannot use COF funding for CU Boulder education abroad programs, the credit hours earned while abroad will be exempt from the 145-hour lifetime credit limit.
• Even though credit earned on CU Boulder education abroad programs doesn't count toward the COF limit, it is posted on the CU degree audit and may be used to satisfy core, major, or elective requirements.

Questions? Please read more about COF at the CU College Opportunity Fund (COF) Project website.

Possibly. Additional information is available in our FAQ: Using G.I. Bill Funding for Education Abroad.

Any outstanding/overdue balance on your CU Bursar's account must be paid well before your departure. We will check student balances as part of the registration process for the Education Abroad placeholder course. If a balance exists, we will contact you to discuss your options and whether or not you need to withdraw from your program.

• Students applying to the same provider/program for multiple summer locations/sessions (i.e. two CIEE sessions, two DIS sessions) will not be charged more than one application fee. Students will also not be charged relevant CU Boulder Education Abroad administrative fees nor the CU Boulder Education Abroad international health insurance for their second (or third) program. Students will be charged all other posted program costs, which may include an additional provider discount (see last bullet below).

• Students applying to different providers/programs for 2-3 summer sessions (i.e. a Global Seminar and a CIEE program):

  • Will be charged any relevant application fees for each program.

  • Will also be charged relevant CU Boulder Education Abroad administrative fees for the first and second program, but not for the third program (if participating on three summer programs)

  • Will also not be charged CU Boulder Education Abroad international health insurance for the second (or third) program.

  • Will then be charged all other posted program costs, which may include a percentage discount from the program itself (see below).

• Some programs/partners provide a modest discount if students participate on multiple programs in the same summer session. This varies by program, so please inquire with us for more details.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of the countries where you will study or travel, which allows you to enter and remain in that country. The visa is your entry or residency permit which usually appears as a stamp in your passport. Most students going on programs for 90 days or longer need a visa; some programs of shorter duration also need visas.

Yes. In most cases the visa will be stamped inside your passport. Most consulates require you to submit your actual passport along with your visa application. If you don't already have a valid passport you should apply for one as soon as you decide to go abroad, even before you apply for your program. This process can take several weeks to several months, depending on the country and time of year when you apply.

If you already have a passport, check the expiration date. Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months after your program ends.

When applying for a passport for the first time you have to submit your application in person. The State Department has everything you need to know about U.S. passports (how to apply, how to get a rushed passport, how to renew your passport). 

If your passport was lost or stolen and you are departing imminently or if you need your passport to apply for a visa within two weeks, you may call the National Passport Information Center to schedule an appointment to apply in person at a Passport Agency.

After you are accepted into your study abroad program, you will be given information on any required visa process for your host country. However, it is your responsibility to determine and comply with entry requirements for your host country (and all countries you plan to visit while abroad). For information on entry requirements for a specific country, please go to the Entry/Exit Requirements section in the Country Specific Information pages on the U.S. Department of State Website.

After you have checked out the information in the Entry/Exit Requirements section, you should then determine which consulate you should use to apply for your student visa. In most cases you will apply to the regional consulate for your host country that has jurisdiction over your home state. For instance, if you are studying in Spain and your home state is Colorado, you will use the Consulate of Spain in Los Angeles. If you aren't sure which consulate you should use, you can start by contacting the Embassy for your country here in the United States to ask which consulate you should use.

Note that in some instances regional consulates will also accept visa applications from students who are going to school in a state under their jurisdiction, even if their state of permanent residence falls outside their jurisdiction.

No. Student visa requirements for the same country can vary significantly from one consulate to another. Be sure to use only the visa requirements for the consulate under whose jurisdiction you fall.

Even though many consulates post student visa requirements on their website, we recommend that you contact the consulate directly to request the visa instructions in writing. Some consulates do not have the most up-to-date instructions on their websites, so you should only use instructions that you have obtained from the consulate directly.

Many students and parents report being frustrated in their repeated and unsuccessful attempts to reach a consular official. One thing to keep in mind is that sometimes consulates are understaffed; possibly they are a one-person office. It is important to remain considerate and polite, even when feeling frustrated.

We recommend communicating with the consulate in several ways. Usually consulates have limited hours when they answer the phone. If phone calls don't go through, you can try emailing, sending a fax, or visiting in person if you live in the area. If you visit in person, see if an appointment is required. Usually one of these is the preferred method of communication. Allow several days or more for a response.

This requirement varies from consulate to consulate. Some consulates accept visa applications by mail, while more and more consulates are now requiring students to submit visa applications in person or to pick them up in person (or both). Some program providers have obtained permission from consulates to do batch processing of visa applications where they will collect your visa application and submit it on your behalf, but this is not common. If your program is able to provide this service they will let you know once you have been accepted into your program.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to determine their requirements. The procedures that you will follow may be different than those for U.S. citizens. It is important to initiate this process as soon as possible in order to assemble documents and allow time for lengthy procedures. 

If you are an international student at CU Boulder you must meet with an International Student Advisor in International Student & Scholars Services (ISSS) and inform them about your plans so that they can properly document your U.S. immigration paperwork. See our International Student FAQs for more info.

The cost for obtaining visas varies from zero to over $500 to apply.

Education Abroad includes the estimated cost for a student visa application within the program budget that it sends to the Office of Financial Aid. This is the same as is posted on the estimated costs page. This estimate factors in the cost of applying for the student visa (including the cost of applying in person if necessary with airfare, lodging, and meals). Financial aid takes into account the total estimated cost for the program, including these visa expenses.

This is a very important question, especially for students going on spring programs when there is a narrow window of time between applying for a program in the fall and the deadline to apply for a student visa. Check the application timeframe on the consulate website very carefully. Usually consulates have a beginning and ending date during which they will accept visa applications. (For example, they might accept visa applications between 30-90 days before your scheduled departure.) Apply as early as possible. This means you should start gathering the required supporting documents well in advance so that you have everything ready to go when the consulate will first start accepting visa applications.

These requirements vary widely. Check the consulate's instructions early in the process so you will know what you need to do, and what documents you will need to request from outside sources. It could take some time for you to gather all of these pieces. Here are some examples of the types of supporting documents consulates have been known to ask for:

• Official letter of acceptance from your home university and/or from your program provider.
• Official letter of acceptance from an institution in the country where you will be studying.
• Doctor's letter certifying that you meet certain health requirements.
• Copy of most recent parental income tax returns.
• FBI background check --if you need this, start this process soon! It can take up to 16 weeks to obtain this clearance.
• Certified check or money order for the visa fee.
• Proof of required health insurance.
• Proof of means of financial support (could include proof of financial aid award package, letter from your bank, letter from parents, etc.).
• Proof of travel itinerary.

Passport photos are a style of photograph with specifications regarding the size of the photo, what sort of head and facial clothing is permitted, a particular background color, and other specifications. Do not try to take or print passport photos yourself, as the regulations regarding these photos are specific and strict. Although these specifications are often standard, some countries publish a list of their unique specifications with their other visa application requirements. There are many places where you can get passport photos including the Buff OneCard office, Walgreens, CVS, post offices, etc.

Pay attention to the details of this requirement. Do they require that you have a round trip ticket? Will they accept a copy of your itinerary from your travel agent? If you are taking a group flight, will they accept a letter from your home university or program provider indicating this, or do they need an actual itinerary? Do they require that you have a return flight within a certain period after your program ends?

If they ask for a round-trip ticket you will need to purchase one, even though you might not know exactly when you will be returning home. Students usually buy the return ticket, verifying with their travel agent that they can change the return date later. There is usually a penalty fee associated with changing the travel dates (and the penalty could apply to each leg of the flight, including any domestic flights within the U.S.)

Some travel agencies or organizations offer differing change fee options, so we recommend that you research several options before booking your flight.

This scenario applies to students going to one country in the fall and then to another country in the spring, or combining a fall/spring term abroad with a summer program in another country. Doing back-to-back programs like this - while doable - can present a challenge for you, and some combinations can be impossible due to visa processes. 

First, check to see if you will need a visa for each country. If you do, know that it is highly unlikely that you can apply for both visas at the same time. You will have to first obtain your visa for your first host country, and then usually obtain your second visa for the following term's country during your break between programs.  This is because most countries require that U.S. citizens apply for their visas here in the U.S. (so students usually can't complete the application while they are still in their first host country).  Remember that consulates will usually keep your passport while they process your visa application, some for an extended period of time (for example 4-6 weeks). So the period between your programs needs to be long enough to complete the second visa application. 

For these reasons, studying on back-to-back programs in different countries is challenging, but not impossible (depending on how flexible you are on location). If you are interested in this option, contact Education Abroad for advice.

If you plan to work while you are studying, you could be subject to different or additional visa requirements. Check to see if your student visa allows you to work (usually not the case). Even if it is allowed you might be required to obtain a special stamp from the immigration authorities upon entering the country. The hours you are allowed to work could be limited. If you plan to do an internship (paid or unpaid) or volunteer project on your program, check with your program provider to see how this will impact visa requirements. Will you need additional paperwork documenting the nature and hours of your internship or service learning project? Will you need a special visa?  In some countries, it may not be an option at all.

You may be denied entry into, or be deported from, a country for which you have not obtained a required visa. Education Abroad, the Office of International Education, and the University of Colorado Boulder are not responsible for obtaining visas nor are they in any way responsible for visa denial.

If your host country requires a visa and you don't obtain one, you won't be able to study on your education abroad program.

The following list gives some examples of reasons that a visa might be denied:

• incomplete visa applications, including missing signatures or supporting documents
• visa applications submitted without a signed passport
• visa applications turned in too early or too late
• visa application submitted to the wrong consulate
• not complying with certain medical requirements
• many countries will not issue visas to persons with any type of criminal record

Congratulations! Your visa usually consists of an official stamp placed inside your passport. However, you aren't done yet! Carefully check all of the information in the visa. Is your name spelled correctly? Are the dates for the visa correct? If anything needs to be changed, contact the consulate immediately to ask them to correct your visa.

Yes! We encourage all students to take advantage of international educational experiences, and international students study abroad through CU Boulder every term.

Make sure you begin discussing any study abroad plans early with both Education Abroad and International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS), as your timeline may be quite a bit lengthier than that of a U.S. citizen studying abroad. Planning is key, so be proactive.

Depending on the country where you hope to study abroad and the length of your program, it is quite likely that you will need to obtain a visa to study there (for example, you will need an Italian visa to study in Italy for a semester). This process could look quite different for you compared with your classmates that hold U.S. passports. For example, while your U.S. classmates may not need a visa to go on certain programs, you might, and you may need to apply in person which usually involves out-of-state travel. Additionally, you may be required to obtain more than one visa if you hope to travel to multiple countries, or some countries require a transit visa if you are flying through their airport.

Because of how lengthy and complicated this process can be, some international students take the host country visa requirements into account when they select their program, choosing to study in a location that has less complex visa requirements given their passport. Either way, we recommend that non-U.S passport holders be researching the visa application process even before they have applied and been accepted to a program.

Education Abroad directs its program-specific visa instructions (made available in your post-acceptance checklist) towards U.S. passport holders, so researching and completing your individual visa requirements will be an independent process. Here is some general advice:

• We recommend contacting the host country embassy or consulate (here in the U.S.) directly for information on your specific requirements
• Pay attention to which consulate has jurisdiction over Colorado, as consulates regularly only accept visa applications from students living within their region
• Whenever contacting a consulate, you may find that some consulates respond better to phone calls than emails, or vice versa, so you may have to try several avenues. Either way, keep in mind that consulates are generally understaffed and response times will likely be delayed. Be patient and keep trying.

Please note that ISSS Advisors are unable to advise on visa requirements for your study abroad destination.

The consulate for your intended host country will have the most up to date information. However, if you are going on a program through a partner organization (CIEE, ISA, etc.), your organization will have additional information for you about visa processing. There are also a number of visa services that may be able to help you through the process (for a fee). Some of the common ones are Travisa, CIBTvisas, and TravelVisaPro, but there are many. Please note that Education Abroad cannot recommend any one service over another.

You should speak with an ISSS Advisor as soon as possible to discuss your U.S. visa requirements and additional travel information. Know that you must maintain full-time enrollment status while abroad, or else you risk jeopardizing your U.S. immigration status.

Please note that ISSS Advisors cannot advise on visa requirements for your study abroad destination.

If your studies at CU are sponsored by your government or company, you must make sure that your scholarship will permit you to study outside the U.S. In order to be fully accepted into your study abroad program, you are required to meet with your Sponsored Student Advisor in ISSS. Please plan to contact your ISSS Sponsored Student Advisor and scholarship sponsor several months before you need to commit to your study abroad program, as some sponsors require documentation and need time to secure approval with the Ministry of Education or company headquarters abroad.

Visit our Get Started page to learn about how to start exploring your program options!