It is the student’s responsibility to apply for and obtain a passport and any necessary visas or entry documents prior to the start of the program. While The Learning Abroad Co. will provide some guidance, the student is ultimately responsible for researching, knowing, and obtaining all entry requirements and documentation for the program. The Learning Abroad Co. requires a student’s passport to be valid at least six months beyond the official program end date.
Visa requirements vary significantly by country. Applying for a visa requires a student have their passport in-hand along with other documentation, some of which is provided by The Learning Abroad Co. and/or their host institution abroad. However, all students are ultimately responsible for ensuring they comply with all visa requirements. This includes submitting the visa application with plenty of time for processing (typically around 90 days prior to departure). Typically, students cannot start the visa application process until they are accepted in the program. In some cases, a student maybe required to travel in-person to a country’s consulate, which may be in a different state, and some require students to schedule appointments in advance. Students are fully responsible for all costs incurred in obtaining the visa. While The Learning Abroad Co. will provide some guidance on obtaining a visa, the student is ultimately responsible for researching, learning the requirements of, and attaining the visa prior to the start of their program.
Each student must apply for their visa at the embassy or consulate assigned to their state of residence. Consulates and embassies are independently operated, and the requirements for a visa may be different from other consulates of the same country. It is possible that visa requirements change while a student is applying, so students must always investigate fully the requirements for their visa application.
Furthermore, if a student has any on-going or past legal matters to their name, this often comes up in a visa application, as many require background checks. This can result in the denial of a student’s visa application. If a student has any current or past legal issues, they are strongly advised to contact the consulate immediately to learn how this may impact their application.
The Learning Abroad Co. has no authority to intervene with visa applications or decisions. If a student is denied a visa or will receive it after the start of the program, the student may be able to defer to a future program for a future term or switch to a program that does not require a visa, but the ability to do so is subject to the student meeting the new program 's deadlines and application requirements. The Learning Abroad Co. cannot reimburse students for any lost expenses for failed or delayed visa applications. Students who fail to obtain a visa are not entitled to any special refund, and the standard policies apply.