Passport & Visa
Students need a passport to participate in a program abroad. The expiration date indicated on the passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the program end date. Students who do not have a current passport must apply for one as soon as possible. In general, it takes 6 to 8 weeks to process requests for new passports, and 2 to 4 weeks to process requests for passport renewal. Students must mail, fax or email a photocopy of their passport (pages containing the photograph and personal information) to KEI before the enrollment deadline.
In addition to a passport, a visa is required to enter most countries. KEI will provide instructions on obtaining an entry visa for US citizens. Non-US citizens must contact the Consulate of the host country near their place of residence to determine if special documents are required. Students are responsible for educating themselves on any specific visa requirements for their selected destination.
It is the student’s responsibility to obtain the passport and entry visa. KEI cannot and will not intercede for those who choose not to obtain the appropriate documentation. Failure to obtain appropriate passport and visas is not grounds for refunds.
Travel Arrangements
KEI will advise students about the scheduled airport, arrival date and time frame for their program. Students must inform KEI of their travel arrangements, including arrival and departure itinerary no later than two weeks before the start of the program. Except for students under the “Comprehensive PLUS Fee” schedule, KEI does not make travel arrangements for students.
Airport Welcome
A KEI representative will greet students on arrival and arrange transportation to the housing or university under the following conditions:
Students must arrive at the designated airport.
Students must arrive on the specified program arrival date and within the specified time frame.
Students must inform KEI in writing of their travel itinerary at least 2 weeks prior to the scheduled arrival date.
Students who choose not to live in KEI housing will be provided transportation to the host institution or city center, and must make their own transportation arrangements to their housing.
There are no exceptions to the above stated requirements. KEI is not responsible for high airfares or difficulty in finding a flight because of the specified arrival date.
Students whose scheduled flight has been delayed must contact the KEI On-Site Coordinator (the mobile number will be provided to you before your departure). KEI will make every effort to greet delayed students, but sometimes this is not possible. For this reason, students should have sufficient funds in the local currency to cover transportation expenses (such as a taxi) from the airport to the housing or the host university campus. KEI is not responsible for these expenses due to the unpredictable nature of international air travel.
Students who do not meet the requirements for airport welcome must arrange their own transportation from the airport to the assigned housing. Students must coordinate their arrival with KEI to gain access to the housing. Students will have access to housing during regular working hours. Students arriving on the weekend or after working-hours are responsible for securing and paying for their own accommodation until KEI housing is available. Students can not move into KEI housing prior to the scheduled arrival date, unless alternate arrangements have been made with KEI.
Return Transportation
Transportation at the conclusion of the program is not included in the KEI program price. Students are responsible for their own transportation to their departure airport.
