 [ Search for Opportunities | IHCOFM Home ] Passports and Visas Once your travel plans are in place, check to see if a passport and/or a visa are needed to enter the country you will be visiting. These documents generally require several weeks of processing time and cannot generally be obtained on short notice. The Bureau of Consular Affairs in the U.S. State Department maintains a list of foreign entry requirements. Due to the political instability and volatility in many regions of the world, the U.S. Department of State may update the list of countries requiring a visa at any time. Passports A U.S. passport may be issued to U.S. citizens or nationals. An application may be obtained and submitted at a post office, courthouse, U.S. consulate office, or a passport agency in selected U.S. cities. (See "Where to Apply for a Passport Nationwide"). Forms can also be obtained from the U.S. State Department web site. For individuals who are 16 years of age or older, passports are valid for ten years from the date of issue. Passport fees must be paid at the time of application. According the U.S. State Department, normal processing time for passports is 25 business days. The National Passport Information Center has two for fee numbers to check the status of passport applications:
Visas Some countries may require foreign nationals to obtain a visa prior to entering the country. A visa is an endorsement or stamp placed by officials of a foreign country on a U.S. passport that allows the bearer to enter that foreign country. As the traveler, you are responsible for obtaining a visa from the embassy or consulate of the host country. The Bureau of Consular Affairs recommends allowing sufficient time to have the visa application processed, especially if the application is being sent through the mail. Medical Licensure Medical licensure and specialty certification may be required in order to participate in many international health experiences. The broad range of opportunities, the panoply of nation-specific regulations, and the diversity of organizational or institutional criteria disallow any broad generalizations about this issue. Ascertain what the licensure and certification requirements are very early in the planning process. Some organizations may limit participation to licensed physicians only or resident and medical student participation may be limited to observation opportunities only. Professional Liability Insurance Malpractice coverage may or may not be included in an international opportunity. This issue should be discussed with the sponsoring organization or institution. Legal advice can be appropriately sought in such matters either through your residency program or medical school, a health care facility's staff attorney, or via personal legal counsel. Immunizations In the U.S., one of the most comprehensive sources for up-to-date information on immunization requirements is the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Current data and traveler's advice may be obtained from the CDC by several means:
The CDC also provides an annual publication entitled Health Information for International Travel or The Yellow Book. This book contains several chapters on vaccination and prophylaxis, as well as general travel safety guidelines, a listing of infectious diseases, and various U.S. Public Health Service and World Health Organization recommendations. It may be ordered by calling 877-252-1200 or purchasing it online at www.cdc.gov. It can also be downloaded from the Internet for free. Without the necessary immunization documentation, you may be denied entry into some countries or subject to isolation, medical follow-up, or vaccination. An International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever may be ordered by writing Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15250, or by calling 202-512-1800 and asking for form PHS 731 #017-001-00483-9. This document may be validated by most city, county, and state departments or from vaccinating physicians who possess a "Uniform Stamp." It must be signed by the vaccinating physician or by a person designated by the physician to sign the certificate. A signature stamp is not acceptable. Health Care Insurance and Personal Health Care Access Current insurance providers should be consulted regarding coverage for travel outside the U.S. Medical evacuation, which can cost upwards of $10,000 or more, is a service typically not included in insurance plans, but which should be considered for extended international travel. Medical evacuation coverage typically provides transportation to a qualified medical center if you suffer a life threatening injury or illness or repatriation of bodily remains to the home country. The following are examples of organizations that may be contacted for information concerning health care access and insurance services for travelers: International Association of Medical Assistance for Travelers
International SOS Assistance If you are injured or become seriously ill while in a foreign country, the U.S. Consulate can assist in locating medical services, contacting family and friends, and transferring personal funds from the U.S. The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs suggests the following preparations in case of a medical emergency:
Traveling with Family Members Check with the sponsoring organization or institution about having significant others or dependants accompany you on your international experience. Some may prohibit it; others will encourage it and help find volunteer opportunities suitable to your significant other's interests. As the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu says, "A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving." Sometimes, despite all of your efforts, the best laid plans will go to waste: your plane's departure is delayed for 12 hours; no one has arrived to meet you at the airport; you're finding that Spanish and local Spanish are two different things; the toilets in the host country do not resemble your toilet back in the good ol' U.S.A. Times like these call for unpacking your sense of humor and flexibility. Regardless of such mishaps and irritants (which later make for great travel stories), you will likely soon forget that you've left the comfort, convenience, and cleanliness of your day-to-day surroundings once you've met, served, and learned from others who you'll remember and who will remember you for a lifetime. You'll remember why you came in the first place. That always makes for a great exchange rate, no matter where or when you travel. |