Passports and Visas

Passports

A U.S. citizen needs a passport to depart or enter the United States and to enter and depart most foreign countries. Passports are issued by the United States Department of State; processing time is currently taking approximately 12 weeks.

*Passport Processing Times Have Increased Due to High Volume.

For complete details click on the following link to the U.S. State Department.

Visas

Students traveling abroad to most countries for a period greater than 90 days are required to apply for a visa.  The foreign consulate will process a application by reviewing required documents (see specific links below) by applying an official stamp or seal to a page of a valid passport. 

It is important to plan ahead for a visa application -- processing time ranges from one day to four weeks. Some consulates require application in person, Contact the consulate personally to confirm requirements and fees.

Embassies

• Embassy of Belgium
  3330 Garfield Street, NW
  Washington, DC 20008
  tel: (202) 333-6900
  www.diplobel.us
  Other consul locations in the U.S.:
  Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
• Embassy of Italy
  1601 Fuller Street, NW
  Washington, DC 20009
  tel: (202) 328-5500
  www.italyemb.org/visit.htm
  Other consul locations in the U.S.:
  Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco
• Embassy of Spain
  2375 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC 20037
  tel: (202) 728-2330
  www.spainemb.org/ingles/indexing.htm
  Other consul locations in the U.S.:
  Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, 
  New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan
• A to Z Foreign Embassies in the U.S.

Important Notice

This site is meant to provide general information about obtaining passports and visas.  The process can be time-consuming and at times frustrating, but holding valid documentation to travel is essential to proper legal status while participating in JMU's academic program.  Students are advised to contact the issuing agencies directly by phone or in person to obtain the most current requirements, procedures, fees, and deadlines. JMU faculty and staff shall not be held responsible for outdated information.

Photos for Passports, Visas, and ISIC cards

Department of State Requirements for Passport Photos

You will need to submit two identical photographs of you alone, sufficiently recent to be a good likeness (normally taken within the last 6 months), 2 x 2 inches in size, with an image size from bottom of chin to top of head (including hair) of between 1 and 1-3/8 inches.  Photographs must be clear, front view, full face, taken in normal street attire without a hat or dark glasses, and printed on thin paper with a plain light (white or off-white) background.  They may be black and white or color.  They must be capable of withstanding a mounting temperature of 225 degrees Fahrenheit (107 degrees Celsius).  Photographs retouched so that your appearance is changed are unacceptable.  Snapshots, most vending machine prints, and magazine or full-length photographs are unacceptable.

Photos of the same dimensions can be used for visa applications, ID cards, and other purposes.  Be sure to get enough copies.

Local Stores

The following is a list of local businesses in alphabetical order that provide passport photo services.  Please call or visit them for further information.  This information is provided as a resource for students; JMU and its staff are not endorsing the services or products.

Early Photography
207 S High St
Harrisonburg, VA 
434-0092

Gitchell's Studio & Camera Shop 
79 E Market Street
Harrisonburg, VA (off Court Square)
434-5314

King Photo Supply 
889 E Market Street (Valley Mall)
Harrisonburg, VA
434-4445

Kinko's Copies
1010 S Main Street
Harrisonburg, VA
433-9287

Wal-Mart 
1995 E Market Street (Valley Mall)
Harrisonburg, VA
433-0808