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TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND PRE-DEPARTURE REQUIREMENTS
Passport: US Citizens
A valid passport is required for travel to Scotland. Please check to make sure that your passport will not expire within 6 months of the date that you return home. If that is the case, you need to renew your passport prior to leaving the US. If you do not have a passport, you can apply for a new passport at a US Post Office (for example, on Olympic Drive in Athens) or at Athens Regional Library in the Reference section. Allow up to 10 weeks for normal processing. The process can be expedited for a fee.
You will need the following to apply for a new passport:
- A passport application form. Click Here to download Form DS-11: Application for Passport
- Proof of citizenship (a certified birth certificate with a raised seal, or a previous passport)
- Proof of identity (previous passport, driver’s license, or government ID)
- Two identical 2” x 2” passport photos (available at Tate Center, Kinko’s, CVS Pharmacy, Wolf Camera, and the Olympic Drive Post Office, among other sources)
- Passport fees – be sure to check on the total amount. Most places will require two check – one to send with the passport application and the other as processing fee.
If you are renewing your passport, and your most recent passport was issued within the past 15 years, and you were over age 16 when it was issued, then you may avoid the post office altogether and renew your passport by mail. To do this, go to and download Form DS-82: Application for Passport by Mail, and follow the instructions. The fee for renewal by mail is $120, made out to U.S. Department of State.
To check the current status of a passport application, call the National Passport Information Center at (877) 487-2778 or inquire by e-mail at npic@state.gov. Visit the FAQ page for any other passport questions.
A copy of your passport’s photo page is required to complete your pre-departure course application and participate in the COE Study Abroad in Scotland programs. While you are in the UK, it is important to store your original passport safely. You are not required to carry the original passport with you at all times for ID purposes. For extra security, you could leave a copy of the photograph page of your passport at home with a family member or friend who you can contact in case of emergency. You could also keep a copy of the photograph & visa page of your passport in a safe place (separately from your original passport) in the UK.
Documents for Non-US Citizens
Prior to leaving the United States, non-US citizens need to check with the UK consulate office and/or your home country’s embassy and inquire whether you need a special visa to enter the UK (and any other country you may be traveling to or through during your travels). If you do need a special visa, you must obtain these prior to departing the US. You will need your passport and papers provided by the program for entry into the country.
Students with an F-1 visa also need the appropriate forms (I-20 or DS-2019) and a valid travel authorization, which you can obtain from the UGA Office of International Affairs (Bank of America Building, 110 E. Clayton St., 4th Floor). Prior to leaving the US, it is the responsibility of all international students to obtain information from International Services so there is clear understanding about the re-entry requirements.
Visas (updated 12-13-12)
The UK Boarder Authority requires all students to have a student visitor visa stamp in their passport upon entry and, in most cases, this can be done at time of entry. The program will provide participants with the necessary documents for entry into the country. In some instances, early approval prior to travel is required. Those participants who do not have a US passport or who have had previous difficulty with entry into the UK should consult with the program director about additional steps for early visa approval.