Are you considering traveling abroad for a study program? Then you should definitely prepare for your journey by getting ready all the vital records you might need to present. 

In addition to your planning, preparing, and packing you will have to gather all the necessary paperwork involved and you will also have to check with other applicants and students for the necessary documents required. 

Here is a list of the top documents that you most likely will be asked to present to apply for your study trip:

• Passport: Your passport is more like a key to unlocking the door to the outside world. Your passport can also serve as a means of identification in other countries and it shows you are a citizen of your home country. 

Therefore, it is important to have a valid up-to-date passport when travelling outside the United States. You will require a passport to leave and re-enter the United States again and it does not matter how long you are staying; what matters is you need an international passport. 

Often, obtaining a passport can be a lot of paperwork which is why you will have to plan your schedule properly. You have to make plans ahead of time since the passport takes a few weeks to be ready. It is safer to apply for your passport at least two months ahead and to do so, you can walk up to an immigration office nearby to register for the application. The cost ranges from $100-150. 

• Students’ Visa: Students’ visa can be easy to get if you have your letter of invitation and other necessary documents. You can also take a look at the U.S State Department’s International Travel Country Specific Information page. It will give you an overview of all the important requirements for the country you are travelling to. 

A student visa is usually simple to obtain although, some efforts may be required. You will need to bring along your proof of age and proof of where you will be staying. Obtaining a visa is an important step in studying abroad and you will have to plan in order to meet all the requirements for obtaining it.

• Birth Certificate or Proof of Age Card: This document is required in most countries. Although every country has its uniqueness, some require it while others do not. So, you will have to check with the country you are visiting. 

A birth certificate may be required before you can obtain most of the vital documents listed above. You can get your birth certificate at the vital records office in the state you were born or you could order it online which most states are currently doing. For the Indiana State Department of Health, you can order your Indiana birth certificate which is the quickest and easiest way to obtain it.

• Certification of Vaccination: When travelling abroad, it is necessary that you have all the required vaccines and that your vaccinations are up to date. You will have to check with your local travel agency or passport office to know which vaccine is required and the proof needed. You can obtain these vaccines from your campus doctor or a general doctor.

Whilst these are the main documents you can be asked to show to be able to study abroad, make sure the university you are going to be studying at does not ask for other more specific documents like, for example, a certificate as a proof of language. These, however, are the vital documents and ones you should always have ready and up to date.