HOME      ABOUT US     FAQ'S     TRAVEL INFO     VISA/PASSPORT     RESOURCES     APPLY!   

Menu  
About Us
Testimonials
Housing
Academic Credits
Visa/Passport
Alumni List
FAQ's
Contact Us
Apply Now!

CSA is an educational exchange org. and a member of:

Greater Seattle
Chamber of Commerce
NAFSA
Association of
International Educators
Member of Netcheck
Commerce Bureau




WA State License
#602-292-407
Seattle License # 188122 		Visa/Passports

All applicants are responsible for obtaining their own passport and visa

VISA/PASSPORT INFORMATION
IMPORTANT LINKS


Visa/Passport Information
CSA provides you with your "confirmation" (Letter of Admission) which you will need to obtain Visa's for France, Spain, or Italy if staying 90 days or longer. If staying less than 90 days, U.S. citizens will not need a Visa. Non-U.S. citizens will need to check the entry requirements with the nearest country Consulate. Passports are required for all entries. See website links below......

Visa's are required for any entry into China, Vietnam, and Russia. Again, CSA will provide you with your "confirmation" (Letter of Admission) which you will need to show when applying for your Visa at the nearest Consulate.

If you are going to Spain, France, or Italy for a Semester or longer (more than 90 days) then you will need a Visa. Less than 90 days, and you do not need a Visa if you are a U.S. citizen. Non-U.S. citizens will need to check the entry requirements with the nearest Consulate. Please allow 45- 60 days to obtain a "student Visa" from the nearest Consulate. CSA will send you the "Letter of Admission" with your confirmations, which you will need to apply for your student Visa. Thus, you will need to send the balance payment in order to obtain these documents. Many of the Consulates also want to know if you have paid-in-full for the program before you are given a Visa. Do not wait to the last minute to apply, for it takes a longer time now due to increased security issues. See the web-links below for additional information and direct contact to the various Consulates (Embassies).

A "Visa" is a stamp of approval usually put inside your Passport. A Visa gives you permission to enter the country for the length of time permitted. You will first need a valid Passport in order to apply for a Visa, so make sure you have a valid Passport before applying for a Visa. Also, contact the nearest Consulate of the country you are going to, and obtain the Visa application documents. See "web-links" for the Consulate's websites for further information.

In the case of Vietnam and Russia, the "Visa admission documents" are sent directly from the staff overseas to the Consulate where you will apply for your visa. Thus, you will need to inform CSA exactly which Consulate or agency you will apply for your visa. We will need the Consulate address, phone and fax #. Again, this is only for the Vietnam and Russia programs. Everyone will need a visa for these countries.

If you are short on time, or would like to use a "Visa Agency" in obtaining your Visa for you, contact the following Visa agencies and ask them the procedures and their fee. Use express mail. These agencies can obtain Visa's quickly if you provide all the documents.

RETURN TO TOP


Important Links for Visa/Passport services

Review these agencies for passport and visa assistance (click on links):

Zierer Visa Service
http://www.zvs.com
1-800-843-9151
1-866-788-1100

Travel Document Services
http://www.traveldocs.com
Provides visa services for U.S. citizens, up to date visa info.

Student ID Cards (ISE)
http://www.isecard.com
1-888-473-2273

Passport and Visa Services and Information

 http://www.travel.state.gov/passport

http://www. passportexpress.com
1-800-362-8196

http://www.americanpassport.com
1-800-455-5166

Other Links Regarding Visas and Passports

Foreign Entry Requirements for US Citizens
http://travel.state.gov/visa/americans/americans_1251.html

Foreign Consular Offices in USA
http://state.gov/s/cpr/rls/fco/

Chinese Consulate (Embassy)
http://www.china-embassy.org
(202) 338-6688

Vietnam Consulate (Embassy)
http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org
(202)861-0737

French Embassy
http://www.info-france-usa.org

Japan Embassy
http://www.embjapan.org

Spain Embassy
http://www.spainemb.org

Russian Embassy
http://www.russianembassy.org

Embassy of Chile
http://www.chile-usa.org
(202) 785-1746 ext 104 or 110

Brazil Embassy
http://www.brasilemb.org
(202) 238-2828

SPECIAL NOTE FROM CSA DIRECTOR

Overall, please apply for your Visa as soon as possible. Also, use express/priority mail when sending your passport through the mail for security reasons.

 RETURN TO TOP