• Passport and Visa Information

Enroll in STEP Program
The United States Department of State provides general travel tips for students who are planning to travel and/or study abroad.  It is recommended that you enroll in the in the Department’s STEP program which allows you to get updates from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

In addition, the U.S. Department of State issues official information pertaining to travel abroad:

Travel Advisories for all countries are issued by the State Department.  The advisories range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel). Bates requires that a Special Waiver and Acknowledgement be signed by the student and a parent/guardian when participating in off-campus study in a country for which a Level 3 has been issued by the U.S. Department of State. Travel to a Level 3 location will be reviewed by the Center for Global Education and Off-Campus Study Committee. Typically Bates does not approve travel and study in specific locations with a Level 4 advisory but this is reviewed on a case by case basis.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer a wide range of resources and information for travelers. Please review information on your location prior to travel and make special note of any warnings.

Consular Information Sheets are available for every country of the world. They include such information as the location of the U. S. Embassy or Consulate, unusual immigration practices, health conditions, minor political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, and drug penalties. If an unstable condition exists in a country that is not severe enough to warrant a travel warning, a description of the condition(s) may be included under an optional section entitled “Safety/Security.” On limited occasions U. S. Embassy advice given to official employees is included; however Consular Information Sheets generally do not include advice, but present information in a factual manner so the traveler can make his or her own decisions concerning travel to a particular country.

The State Department also provides information on Road Safety worldwide.