When preparing to travel internationally, obtaining a passport and investigating the entry and exit requirements for the country of your destination is essential. The entry and exit requirements will help inform you about any restrictions as well as needed visas. We highly recommend that you consult Travel.State.Gov, a service of the U.S. Department of State, for information about passports, visas, and more. As you move forward in the planning process, please consult your education abroad advisor to learn more about what is or is not included in your education abroad program.
If you are an international student, we recommend you consult with your embassy as well as your international student advisor at PSU to best understand any restrictions further travel may present.
Passports
Having a valid passport is required to participate in any of the PSU education abroad programs. If you do not have a passport or your passport is expired, we recommend you begin the application process immediately. Additionally, we recommend that current passport holders review their passport expiration date. Generally speaking, most countries require that your passport expiration date extend six months past your planned return to the United States.
To learn about applying for or renewing your passport, we recommend consulting the U.S. Department of State website (travel.state.gov) on Passports.
Visas
Visa requirements vary from country to country. As a student, you may be required to obtain a student visa. It is important to investigate what may be required for entry and then consult with your education abroad advisor at PSU to best understand the requirements of your program and what may or may not be arranged for you by your education abroad program. To learn more about visas, we recommend consulting your education abroad program and the travel.state.gov regarding Visas.
UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) Requirement
If you are planning to study, visit, or transit through the United Kingdom, you may be required to apply for a UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). This digital permission is mandatory for certain nationalities, including U.S. citizens, and applies to stays of up to six months for purposes such as tourism, business, short-term study, or transit. You can apply through the official UK ETA app or the UK government website.
Transit Through the UK: If your travel itinerary includes a layover in the UK, it's important to determine whether you'll be transiting airside (remaining within the airport's international transit area) or landside (passing through UK border control).
- Airside Transit: As of April 2025, passengers transiting airside are temporarily exempt from the ETA requirement. This means if you remain within the airport's international transit area and do not pass through UK border control, you do not need an ETA. However, this exemption is temporary and subject to change, so it's essential to verify the current requirements before your trip.
- Landside Transit: If you need to pass through UK border control—for example, to change airports or collect baggage—you will require an ETA, provided your nationality is eligible. If you're from a country that typically requires a visa to enter the UK, you may need to apply for a Visitor in Transit visa instead. For detailed information, consult the UK government's transit visa guidance.
We highly recommend that you consult Travel.State.Gov, a service of the U.S. Department of State, for information about passports, visas, and more. As you move forward in the planning process, please consult your education abroad advisor to learn more about what is or is not included in your education abroad program.
If you are an international student, we recommend you consult with your embassy as well as your international student advisor at PSU to best understand any restrictions further travel may present.