Pre-Departure & Travel Documents

Post-Acceptance Steps & Pre-Departure

AFTER you have been accepted to a study abroad or exchange program, there are several important steps that you must complete before you depart for your program.

1. First, make sure your home-campus Study Abroad Office knows that you are studying abroad.

2. If you have been accepted to a SUNY Oneonta program, go back into your OGE Global Portal account to complete the required next steps forms.

3. For non-Oneonta study abroad programs - create a student account on the OGE Global Portal to complete the required forms (see below for each type of non-Oneonta program):

If you have been accepted to another SUNY Program (non-Oneonta): select the "Other SUNY Programs" option in the OGE Global Portal.

Then Click "Apply" and complete the "OTHER SUNY Programs" application to complete the required SUNY Oneonta forms:

Forms for Programs Administered by 4-Year SUNY Schools:

  • Preliminary Course Approval Form (download this from OGE Global Portal "Other SUNY Programs" application)
  • Financial Arrangement Form - if using Financial Aid to pay for some/all of the study abroad program

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If you have been accepted to a NON-SUNY Program Abroad that has a School of Record in the United States: Select the "NON-SUNY Programs" option in the OGE Global Portal to complete required forms for NON-SUNY Programs (Programs Administered by 2-Year SUNY Schools/community colleges, CUNY schools, OR by other non-SUNY U.S. institutions)*:

Deadlines for submission of the above forms:

  • December 1 for Winter Intersession and Spring programs, and
  • May 1 for Summer, Fall and Academic Year programs

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If studying abroad directly through an international institution (not through a U.S. institution) that does NOT have a U.S. School of Record*: Select the "NON-SUNY Programs" option in the OGE Global Portal to complete the required forms:

  • Academic Leave of Absence Form - Academic Advisement Form (For students on Fall, Spring, and Academic Year programs only)
  • The last day to apply for a non-academic leave is two weeks before the end of classes.

NOTE: Students are NOT able to receive prior approval for courses if directly enrolling in an international institution. Upon completion of the program, students must submit the international transcript to World Education Services (WES) and request a transcript evaluation. They must request that the transcript evaluation be sent to the SUNY Oneonta Academic Advisement Center. It is not guaranteed that the credits will be approved to transfer in to SUNY Oneonta.

*Students who plan on participating in NON-SUNY programs must meet with the Office of Global Education the semester before they go abroad.

Worried about protecting your identity while abroad? Check out our Trans and Non-Binary Resource Guide for Study Abroad!


In addition to the steps explained above, you will also need to complete these other important steps:

  • Apply for a passport, if you don’t already have one. If you have a passport, check its expiration date to make sure that it will be valid for six months after your return date. If not, renew your passport right away. View information about how to renew your passport.
  • Find out if you will need any travel documents (e.g. visas or residence permits) in addition to a passport before you depart. Travel document requirements vary depending on the study abroad program length and citizenship of students. To review travel information specific to your study abroad destination, including visa requirements, check the U.S. Department of State website, as well as the website of the host country’s embassy or consulate nearest you (many consulates are in New York City). The study abroad office of the campus that administers your program should be consulted about the required travel documents for your program.
  • Participate in the mandatory pre-departure orientation required by the administering campus. You may review the information covered during the pre-departure orientation for SUNY Oneonta programs.

Have a great experience studying abroad! We hope that you will share your experience with us when you return!

One of the first steps in starting your journey toward studying abroad is acquiring a U.S. Passport. The Office of Global Education encourages students to get a passport in their freshman year to prevent processing delays when eligible for going abroad.

Travel Document Information

Obtaining a U.S. Passport - How To | Cost currently $145.00, subject to change. Passport Fees Link

WHY SHOULD YOU GET A PASSPORT?

Early preparation for traveling and studying abroad. Passports are also another form of ID.

WHAT WILL YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR A PASSPORT?

  1. Passport Application Form DS-11
    Available online, at Global Education Office, or U.S. Post Office
  2. Evidence of U.S. Citizenship – Provide one of the following & copy:
    • Previous valid U.S. Passport
    • Certified U.S. Birth Certificate
    • Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
    • Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
  3. Proof of Identity – Provide one of the following & copy:
    Recently issued Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship with easily recognizable photo, Current, valid driver’s license, Government employee ID, Military ID
  4. Two Identical Passport Photos:
    2x2 inches in size , Clear likeness, taken within the past 6 months, Color required, full-face, front view on a white or off-white background, Normal street attire; no hats or headgear.

Oneonta Post Office has photo services for an additional $15

Rite Aid
94 Chestnut St.
Tel: (607) 432-7640

Walgreens
99 Chestnut St.
Tel: (607) 433-5101

U.S. Post Office (also apply for passport here)
352 Main St.
Tel: (607) 432-6100

Wal-Mart
Southside
Tel: (607) 433-1957

Passport Fees: The Postal Service (a "Passport Acceptance Facility") collects an additional fee of $35, payable by cash, check, money order, credit or debit card. See the USPS page on passports for updates.

Check or money order is accepted: Passport Locations.
OGE suggests that you call ahead of time to make an appointment at the Oneonta Post Office at (607)-432-6100

Will You Need Additional Travel Documents?

Once you have been accepted to a study abroad program, obtain any travel documents that are required in addition to a passport (e.g. visas or residence permits) before you depart. Travel document requirements vary depending on the study abroad program length and citizenship of students. To review travel information specific to your study abroad destination, including visa requirements, check the U.S. Department of State website, as well as the website of the country’s embassy or consulate nearest you (many consulates are in New York City). The study abroad office of the campus that administers your program should be consulted about the required travel documents for your program

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