As you prepare to apply for our Study Abroad program, take time to review our passport and visa requirements, as well as more specifics on the documentation non-U.S. citizens may need before embarking on Study Abroad with DigiPen. Students are responsible for ensuring they meet all deadlines and requirements for obtaining the correct documents to study abroad in their chosen location.
Passport
A passport is required for all Study Abroad participants. If you do not have a passport, or it’s about to expire, make sure you apply or renew it as soon as possible. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the intended stay abroad and have at least one blank page for entry/departure stamps. Be sure to check your passport for accuracy to avoid unnecessary delays.
U.S. citizens should visit the U.S. government passport website for detailed information about how to apply and processing times.
Non-U.S. citizens should check with the embassy in accordance with their country of citizenship.
If you have more than one passport, you have to decide which one to use before your Study Abroad begins.
Visa
Depending on your citizenship or where you’re traveling, you may need a visa to study abroad. Visa applications must be personally completed by the applicant. All participants are responsible for obtaining their own visas, both for destinations they are visiting and those they are passing through. Depending on the country, you can apply for an electronic visa, a paper visa, or an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).
European Travel Requirements
Starting in 2024, travelers of specific nationalities who visit any country in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland) or who transit through an airport in the United Kingdom may be required to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). See gov.uk for updates. The European Union is scheduled to require a similar authorization (called ETIAS) in late 2026. Please refer to the European Union’s official ETIAS website for more information.
It’s not recommended to begin the visa application process until your itinerary is confirmed. Please visit travel.state.gov for the most up-to-date requirements.
Requirements for Non-U.S. Citizens
All participants are responsible for obtaining the necessary visas and/or travel documents for all locations for their destination. Typically, non-U.S. citizens who study/reside in the U.S. can apply for a Spanish student visa in the U.S. jurisdiction where they study/reside. Additional visa application materials may be required.
Once the itinerary is confirmed, non-U.S. citizens should check the embassies or consulates of all locations they will be visiting or traveling through to verify which documents are required.
Visa requirements may apply even if you have a short layover or a stop at the airport at a particular destination. Study Abroad participants should inquire at relevant embassies and/or consulates two weeks before departure to ensure that requirements haven’t changed. For instance, if you are flying to Paris via Toronto, please check with the embassies of both Canada and France.
For a list of embassies and consulates in the United States, visit travel.state.gov.
If proof of medical insurance is required for the visa, participants who purchased insurance through DigiPen should contact the insurance company to obtain this documentation.
Student Visa – Spain
The Spanish government uses an external company (BLS International) for visa processing at Spanish consular offices in the United States.
The entire visa process, including collecting application materials, application submission, and application processing time, could take two to three months or longer. Please plan accordingly.
Spain requires that students schedule an appointment and appear in-person at a BLS location to apply for and/or pick up their visa. Requesting an appointment will take additional time and planning on the student’s end. If you are required to personally travel to drop off/pick up your documents, this will be at your own expense as part of the visa process.
Visit the BLS International website for detailed information about the visa process for Spain.
Student’s Pass (STP) - Singapore
All foreigners who have been accepted for admission as a full-time matriculated or registered student at an Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) in Singapore need a Student’s Pass. You must apply online using the e-Service at least two months and not more than three months before the course begins.
Visit the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website for detailed information about the Student Pass for Singapore.