Student Life
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
UCEAP Portal
UCEAP will post various resources, tasks, and requirements in your UCEAP Portal. You will receive an email once the predeparture information is posted in your UCEAP Portal. Once available, review all sections and instructions once available. Please submit documents or complete tasks by specified deadlines to avoid administrative withdrawal from UCEAP.
Passport
All UCEAP participants must have a passport to travel internationally. Many programs have early visa or admission documents that require a current passport many months before you travel. Apply for a passport immediately if you don’t already have one that will be valid for your program.
- The US Department of State website contains passport information and application or renewal forms for US citizens. The National Passport Information Center provides additional information.
- Depending on your program, your passport may need to be valid for up to six months beyond the end date of your stay. If your passport expires before that time, you must renew it.
- Check the validity of your passport and other country or region-specific entry requirements.
- Keep your passport information up to date in your UCEAP application. Make sure your legal name on your application matches the spelling on your passport, including initials, middle names, etc.
- Make sure to sign your passport, make copies of the first two pages, and leave one copy with an emergency contact at home. Make sure your passport and visa copies are also accessible electronically while abroad.
Visa/Entry Requirements
A visa grants permission to enter and remain in the host country for a specified time period. It is a sticker, stamp, or electronic endorsement placed in your passport by host country or region officials. Visa requirements vary widely, and many must be obtained months in advance. It is your responsibility to obtain a visa, if required. The government of the host country or region issues or denies a visa. Host country or region consulates or embassies reserve the right to reject a visa application and set strict rules for obtaining visas. UCEAP cannot help you if your application is denied or delayed.
Some countries or areas require residence permits instead of, or in addition to, a visa. For countries or regions where residence permits are required instead of visas, you may need to apply for one prior to entering that country or region or after arriving.
General visa and entry requirement information will be posted in the Predeparture Requirements section of your UCEAP Portal.
If your host country requires a visa prior to arrival, do not enter the host country or area without one—even if you may be able to enter as a tourist. Once abroad, it may not be possible to obtain the necessary visa type required to complete your program.
International travel outside the Official Program dates may be restricted due to visa processing and issuance.
Updated Gender X Passport Guidance (January 22, 2025)
In April 2022, the US Department of State (US DOS) created a gender X option for US passports.
On January 20, 2025, an executive order was issued stating:
Section 2. It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female.
(d) The Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, shall implement changes to require that government-issued identification documents, including passports, visas, and Global Entry cards, accurately reflect the holder’s sex.
We do not have details on timeline or process of how this order will be executed. We recommend that future study abroad students applying for a passport now select M or F as the US DOS removed reference to X on their website travel.state.gov. Those who have already submitted a passport application and selected X may experience delays. Those with X passports may experience travel disruption as the US DOS navigates implementation of this Executive Order and there may be validity issues with X passports.
Non-US Citizens
If you are a non-US citizen, you must immediately contact the consulate of the country or area in which you intend to study to determine your specific visa requirements, which will vary depending on your country or area of citizenship. The visa process can take several months. Be sure your US re‑entry documents are valid.
Non-US citizens applying for visas must generally have a valid passport from their country or area of citizenship plus proof of permission to re-enter the US, such as a valid and unexpired proof of permanent residency status (Green Card) or a re-admittance stamp in their passport. You will likely be denied a visa if you do not have a US Re-entry Permit, even if have a valid passport. You can apply for a US Re-entry Permit at a local immigration office. If you already have the permit, make sure it will remain valid throughout your entire stay abroad or longer, depending on the country or area’s requirements.
When preparing to study abroad, contact your home UC international student services office and/or an immigration attorney on how to maintain your immigration status and ensure you can re-enter the US after your time abroad.
Undocumented Students and DACA Students
Consult with an immigration attorney free of charge on your campus to determine if study abroad is right for you.
If you are enrolled at UC Berkeley, contact the Hass Undocumented Community Resource Center.
If you are enrolled as a student at UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Los Angeles, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, UC San Francisco, UC Santa Barbara, or UC Santa Cruz, contact the UC Undocumented Legal Services Center at ucimm@law.ucdavis.edu.
Before applying, you are encouraged to contact your campus study abroad advisor and share your interest in applying as an undocumented student. Depending on your country of citizenship and study abroad destination, you may need a year or more to prepare for your program abroad.
Airline Tickets
- You are responsible for making your own flight arrangements after consulting the Official Program Dates and Arrival Information in the UCEAP Portal.
- Wait until your Official Program Dates are finalized and after you receive your host acceptance, if applicable, before booking your flights.
- UCEAP strongly recommends purchasing a fully refundable or changeable airline ticket, which allows you to make changes to your flights. Please read the fine print to understand all change/cancellation policies and fees before purchasing your airfare.
- The program dates can change due to unforeseen circumstances. If this happens, you are responsible for modifying your travel itinerary to accommodate such changes.
- Do not use a standby ticket to travel to your program site.
- If you receive financial aid, you must purchase an airline ticket before you receive a disbursement. UCEAP or your campus financial aid office cannot reserve or pay for your ticket. Plan for this expense.
- Student Universe offers discounted flights and an airfare deposit program.
APPLYING UCEAP POLICIES
Arrival and Orientation Information
You must arrive at the predetermined site in the host country or area by the specified date/time on the UCEAP Official Start Date.
After arrival, you must attend the mandatory UCEAP and host university orientations and all orientation activities. If you arrive late or do not participate in part or all of the required orientation and program activities, you will be subject to disciplinary action.
Conduct Abroad
You are responsible for your actions or inactions. UCEAP policies are based on the principle that students are adults and guests in the host countries or areas.
As a UCEAP participant, you are expected to respect the rights and dignity of other students, staff, faculty, members of the host institution, and local citizens.
Complying with the UCEAP Student Conduct and Discipline Policy along with all UCEAP policies will support your well-being and a safe, fair, and successful experience for all students. Ignorance of the policies is not an acceptable excuse for policy violation.
Inappropriate conduct abroad is a direct violation of the UCEAP Student Participation Agreement, your signed contract with UCEAP, and can result in dismissal.
Illegal Drugs
Read and comply with the UCEAP Substance Abuse Policy. Violating of the UCEAP Substance Abuse Policy will lead to disciplinary action, including dismissal. Specific sanctions from the host country or area for alcohol-related legal violations may also occur. Your UC campus will be notified of all sanctions.
Receiving illicit or controlled substances, such as drugs or drug paraphernalia, through the mail is illegal and will subject you to US and host country regulations. Mail is often opened by host country or area customs officials before delivery to the recipient abroad. If you are found in possession of illegal substances, you will be dismissed from UCEAP, and may be placed under immediate arrest, face a local trial and jail term, be expelled from the country or area, or worse, depending on the local laws. The sender is subject to US Postal Service and US federal laws and regulations, and punishments may include imprisonment and hefty fines.