Travel Documentation Passports and Visas

Passports

Passport is a travel document issued by the government of a traveler's native or adopted country as proof of citizenship.

Unless restricted to a specific validity, most US passports issued to adults (over 18 years at the time of issuance) are valid for 10 years. Passports for individuals under the age of 18 are valid for only 5 years. Non-US passport validity varies by nationality

A US passport is proof of citizenship, and permits you to re-enter the United States after your trip abroad. However, a US passport does not automatically permit entry into every country without a visa. Many countries allow US passport holders to enter without a visa because of reciprocal visa waivers and long-standing diplomatic relations; many countries do not.

Visas

Visas are the permission that are granted by a sovereign nation to a traveler permitting entry into that country for a specific purpose. Most visas are stamped into the traveler's passport.

The most common types of visas are granted for the specific purposes of tourism, conducting business or attending a conference or symposium, establishing temporary or permanent residence, or going to school. A traveler must follow very distinct guidelines and procedures established by each sovereign nation in applying for the appropriate visa category.

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