International Partnerships Among Museums 2003-2005 Cycle Meet Foreign Entry Requirements

IPAM does not pay extra for visa processing. However, participants may subtract the cost of fees from their travel expense funds and report it on their Travel Expense Record.

Passports

A passport is a document that proves citizenship and is needed to enter and depart most foreign countries. Those without passports should apply for one several months in advance of planned departure. Expedited services are available for those needing a passport on short-notice. Some countries require that passports be valid at least six months or longer beyond the dates of travel. Please check with the nearest embassy or consulate of the host country for their requirements.

For U.S. participants, general passport information may be obtained from the U.S. Department of State or the National Passport Information Center.

Visas

A visa is an endorsement or stamp placed in a traveler's passport that permits them to visit a country for a specified purpose and a limited time.

U.S. Participants

Please note that visa requirements vary greatly from one country to another and frequently change. Therefore, it is recommended that participants consult the U.S. Department of State list of Foreign Entry Requirements or contact Visa Services or the embassy or consulate of the host country for specific details on foreign entry requirements and the procedures for applying for a visa.

Because IPAM participants are only visiting their host country for a relatively short period of time and are not paid in foreign currency, tourist visas are adequate for most U.S. participants. As a rule, tourist visas take a lot less time to process than research or other academic visa classifications.

There are also companies that assist travelers in obtaining visas and passports. Allow sufficient time for processing the visa application, especially if applying by mail. Processing and visa fees vary. Upon receipt of the visa, check it to make sure no mistakes were made.

Non-U.S. Participants

Nominating CAOs/PAOs and IPAM staff will work with non-U.S. participants to obtain J-1 exchange visitor visas.

Immunizations

Under the International Health Regulations adopted by the World Health Organization, a country may require International Certificates of Vaccination against yellow fever. Participants should check with their health care providers and medical records to ensure immunizations (e.g. tetanus and polio) are up-to-date. Prophylactic medication for malaria and certain other preventive measures are advisable for travel to some countries. No immunizations are required to return to the United States. Health information for travelers may be obtained from local physicians or by contacting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

HIV/AIDS

An increasing number of countries have established regulations regarding AIDS testing, particularly for long-term visitors. Check with the embassy or consulate of the host country to verify if this is a requirement for entry.

Additional Fees

All international flights are subject to U.S. Immigration and U.S. Customs fees paid in advance as part of the airline ticket. In addition, many countries have departure fees that are sometimes collected at the time of ticket purchase or upon exiting the foreign country.

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