Stress Free Visa Programs
It's a common misconception that in order to study abroad you have to go through a lot of paperwork, appointments, and consulate visits before you even leave the country-- but that's not always true! Find below all of our programs with either no visa, easy residence permits upon arrival, or visas that can be applied for from your couch.
Looking at summer? Most summer programs don't require visas!
ÌýÌýThis information is based off U.S. passport holder requirements. If you don’t hold a U.S. passport, the process may look different for you. See our Passports & Visas page for more info.
No Visa
These programs require no visa processes or an extremely easy, online form pre-departure. All you need is a valid passport!
Costa Rica allows U.S. passport holders to stay up to 180 days visa-free.Ìý
Panama allows U.S. citizens to stay up to 180 days on a tourist status. You'll receive a tourist stamp upon arrival at the airport.
Most students will enter Peru on a tourist stamp, which they will receive upon arrival at the airport.
U.S. citizens can study in the UK for up to 6 months visa-free*. You only need to apply for a quick UK’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) a few days before departure.
*Exceptions: work, intern, or volunteer
Several programs travel to multiple countries over the course of the semester. Because students are staying in each country for a relatively short period of time (a few days to a few weeks depending on the program), they frequently don’t need visas – or if they do, the visa process is generally fairly quick and easy.
Note: Please visit our Schengen Area Rules for Visa-Free Europe Programs page if you are considering 2+ blocks in Europe on CIEE Open Campus.
Visa After Arrival
These programs require a simple visa or residence permit some time after you arrive in-country. These processes are usually straightforward and will be completed with the support of your study abroad program staff. All you need before departure is a valid passport!
Students enter Botswana visa-free (you’ll just carry your program acceptance letters to show at immigration). Once on-site, the program staff will help you extend your status and process residency for full semester.
Most students studying in Chile for a semester will enter the country on a short-term permit that they receive at the airport. The program staff will then help you extend your permit once you’re on-site.Ìý
Most students will enter Colombia visa-free, and then the program staff will help you finalize your status after you arrive on-site to cover the full program dates.
Students studying for more than 90 days in Denmark will need a Danish residence permit. DIS takes care of most of this process for their students (you’ll just have to pick up your permit), and CIEE’s program is less than 90 days!
Most students will enter Ecuador visa-free as a tourist and receive an extension on-site.
U.S. citizens can either get a visa upon arrival at the airport or apply for the visa in advance. If you apply in advance, it’s a relatively quick & easy mail-in application.
Most students will enter Estonia visa-free, and then the program staff will help you with the final steps once you’re there on-site.
U.S. citizens studying in Germany for more than 90 days will apply for a residence permit once on-site.
Most students will enter Ireland visa-free* and will then complete a quick and easy registration process once on-site.
*Exception: CIEE Open Campus
U.S. citizens have the option of either getting a visa upon arrival at the airport, or applying for the visa in advance. If you apply in advance, it’s just a quick online application!
Students enter Morocco visa-free (you’ll get a tourist stamp at the airport). Once on-site, the program staff will help you extend your status for the full semester.
U.S. citizens studying in the Netherlands for more than 90 days will apply for a residence permit. Part of this process happens before you leave (it’s a quick online form) and then the rest of the process takes place after you arrive on-site with the assistance of the program staff.
Online Visa
These programs do require a little work beforehand, but the entire process can be completed online. You may need to gather some documents, depending on the visa, but U.S. citizens usually will not need to mail a physical application or make any consulate visits.
Australia requires a visa application, but this process takes place entirely online.
Note that the Australian visa is one of the most expensive out there (it’s ~ $1000!), but we build this cost into the . Still, it's an early cost you'll need to budget for, and you'll have to pay it before financial aid for the semester you're studying abroad kicks in.
While Cambodia requires you to apply for a visa in advance, the process is a straightforward online application.
New Zealand requires a visa application, but this process takes place entirely online.
This visa costs several hundred dollars, but we build this cost into the . However, you will still need to be prepared for this up-front cost before scholarships or financial aid apply.
U.S. citizens studying in Singapore for over 90 days have to apply for a Student Pass prior to departure. There are several steps, but they all are online.
You'll have to apply for either a student or a visitor pass (depending on the process), but it is entirely online.
Visa-Free Programs in Countries that Normally Require Visas
Some providers offer programs that are less than 90 days, allowing students to bypass lengthier visa processes for select countries. However, because these programs rely on the 90-day visa-free tourist status that U.S. passport holders receive in these countries, students need to be aware that independent international travel before or after their program dates will be restricted.
- (two blocks)
- (two blocks)
- (two blocks)
- (two blocks)
- (two blocks)
- (without direct enroll option)
- (two blocks)
- (two blocks)
- (two blocks)
- (11 week session)
For students looking at one of the listed Europe programs, be sure to read our Schengen Rules explainer for a full breakdown of these travel restrictions.
Disclaimer:
This list is for informational purposes only and is intended to be a supplementary resource based off previous student experiences. Visa requirements can change at any time. You are responsible for knowing and addressing the current visa requirements for your host country.
Education Abroad and the University of Colorado Boulder are not responsible for obtaining student visas nor are they in any way responsible for visa complications, delays, or visa denials.
ÌýÌýNew Zealand by Susan Morrell