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Things to Take Care of Before You Leave the Country: Passports, Working Papers, etc..

Passports

  • You can apply for a passport through the post office.
  • You'll need proof of citizenship and two identical photos. The process takes about 2 months.
  • If you have a passport, check the date of issuance to make sure it won't expire before you return.

This United States Postal Service website gives you current passport fees. You can download Passport forms right from the internet in .PDF format.
This guide prepared by The Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, provides easy information on how, when and where to apply for your passport.
If you already have a passport and it will expire before you complete your time abroad, download and mail the DS-82: Application for passport by mail form. Allow two months, unless you opt for expedited service.


Texas students can apply in-person for a passport at the following Austin Post Offices:

University Station 512-232-5488
West Mall Bld University of Texas Austin, TX 78712

Chimney Corners Station 512-345-9739 3575
Far West Blvd. Austin, TX 78731

Downtown 512-494-2210 510 Guadalupe St. Austin, TX 78701

Westlake Station Westlake Station 512-328-5065 3201 Bee Caves Rd Ste 120 Austin, TX 78746

Visas

  • Visas are needed for some countries. The visa is generally stamped on your passport, and it is wise to obtain it before you leave the US.
  • Contact the State Department for more information on visas.

Working Papers

Acquiring working papers is time-consuming and challenging and presents the biggest hurdle to working abroad.

  • Most countries require a work permit for full-time and permanent jobs.
  • It is very difficult to obtain a work permit in another country and the requirements vary from country to country. An employer has to prove that the foreign worker is uniquely qualified and a national candidate is not available. Work permits need to be renewed on a regular basis.
  • You will need to have an employment contract from a foreign company before you can enter that country on a working visa. One way around this is through CIEE where you can purchase a short-term work permit for certain countries.
  • To obtain a work permit, you might have to leave the country and return.
  • Find out the working visa requirements for your country of choice.
  • If you work for the government, an international organization, or a large U.S. corporation, your employer will handle the details.
  • You will need to pay local taxes and resident visa fees.
  • To obtain resident status in a country, usually:
    • You already have a job waiting for you;
    • You have means to live in a country without working;
    • You fulfill government criteria to establish your own business;
    • You are descended from or married to a national; or
    • You have lived in the country already for a number of years for a reason acceptable to the government, such as being a political refugee.

Check out these links for more information about obtaining working papers:

Going Global
Excellent site with a country-by-country breakdown of the work permit restrictions and requirements.

Workpermit.com
Accredited by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner and provides immigration services for most of the English speaking world and the EU.

BUNAC
BUNAC's overseas work/travel program is one of the few work abroad programs that will provide you a work permit without a job offer.

CIEE
The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) will provide sponsorship for your work authorization which is difficult to get otherwise. You can work in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France, Ireland and Germany with CIEE.

Health Concerns

  • Check on health laws/immunization requirements by contacting the Center for Disease Control or your doctor.
  • Visit the International Traveler's Clinic which presents valuable information related to health and travel.
  • Make sure your medical & accident insurance are valid in the country in which you travel. If you're a student or recent graduate, CIEE may be able to help you with this.
  • For more information on health issues while abroad, check these websites:
  • Here is one example of a company offering health insurance to students studying and working abroad: (note: this is not an endorsement; always thoroughly investigate insurance offerings before signing up)

Budgetary Concerns

  • Consider the costs involved before you leave-- do a budget analysis.
  • Make sure you have enough money to survive at least two weeks before finding paid employment.
  • If you have student loans, talk to your parents about their expectations regarding repayment.