Passports
A valid passport is something that you will definitely need in order to volunteer, study or work abroad. If you already have one, great! To be on the safe side, it should be valid for six months after your planned return date, as some countries require this. If you are cutting it close, you may want to consider renewing before you go. This will give you added flexibility, in case your travel plans change.
If you don’t have a passport, or need to renew your current one, you can find the Canadian and US application forms online. They will provide a current list of fees, required documents and submission options. Ideally, you should leave at least 4-6 weeks for processing. You may need to submit your new passport as part of your visa application, so be sure to leave enough time for this. Depending on where you live, passports can usually be expedited for an additional fee and you may be able to receive it in less than a week. Don’t forget to sign your passport as soon as you receive it. It’s not valid until you do so and may affect your visa application if left blank.
In the unfortunate case of a stolen or lost passport, be sure to report it as soon as possible to local police and your country’s embassy or consulate.
Lost Passport?
In case your passport is lost or stolen while you are abroad, the Government of Canada website suggests that Canadians bring the following things with to make the replacement process easier:
a photocopy of the identification (photo) page of your passport;
your original birth or citizenship certificate (keep this in a safe place);
a copy of at least one other document to prove your identity;
contact information for government offices in your destination country;
two recent passport photos meeting your country’s passport photo specifications.
The US Department of State website lists the following requirements for US citizens to replace lost or stolen passports:
one recent passport photo
identification (drivers license, expired passport, etc.)
evidence of US citizenship (birth certificate or photocopy of passport)
A travel itinerary, police report (if applicable), as well as forms DS-11 and DS-64 will also be needed to replace the passport.
Visas/Special Permits
A visa is a special stamp or sticker in your passport that allows you to stay and undertake certain activities for a specified amount of time in a given country. You may be required to obtain a tourist, volunteer, residency or work visa, depending on your plans, your host country and the length of your stay. Some visas are processed in advance and some may be issued upon your arrival in country. Check with the consulate of your host country to determine the proper procedure, documentation, fees and timelines. Some of the information you receive from the consulate may vary depending on who you talk to and classifications may not always be straightforward, so it’s a good idea to confirm the proper protocol with your sending or host organization, or past participants. For some countries, it may be standard practice to ask for things like proof of vaccinations or even bank statements, so don’t be surprised if this is the case. More time is always better, so don’t leave your application to the last minute!
If you are volunteering, studying or teaching through a sending organization, they may be able to provide assistance with the necessary paperwork. At a minimum they should be able to tell you what kind of visa or permit you will need for their programs.
Some countries also provide multiple-entry visas so that you can leave and re-enter the country. If you are embarking on a long-term placement or you already know that you plan on visiting other countries and returning to your original location, this might be a good option if available.
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