All program participants must have a passport which is valid for six months after they plan on returning to their country of origin. However, some countries where CCS operates also require a travel visa to enter and depart, depending on your citizenship, so learn about visa requirements in advance. A travel visa is permission from the government, usually a stamp on your passport, to enter and leave the country you are visiting.
While not all countries where we operate require a travel visa, many do. This information is up-to-date as of October 1, 2008.
Brazil
To enter Brazil, U.S., Canadian, and Australian passport holders must obtain a Tourist or a Volunteer/Cultural Visa.
U.S. passport holders are charged a processing fee of approximately US$140 for a Tourist visa. Normally a Tourist visa will be issued in 2-10 business days. You may be required to apply for a Volunteer/Cultural visa depending on your state of residency. U.S. passport holders are charged a processing fee of approximately US$240 for a Volunteer/Cultural visa. Processing time for the Volunteer/Cultural visa depends on the consulate jurisdiction and may take up to several weeks.
Visas will expire if they are issued more than 90 days before your first entry into Brazil. They are generally valid for 90 days from the first entry, renewable for another period of up to 90 days by the Brazilian Federal Police.
Please be sure to contact your Program Manager before applying for your visa due to frequent changes in the application process. It is recommended that you use a visa expeditor.
Passport holders of the following countries do not need visas when entering Brazil for tourism or business purposes (up to 90 days): Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad, Tobago, Uruguay, Vatican, and Venezuela.
China
U.S., Canadian, and European citizens need a visa to enter China. Currently, 30-day tourist visas are the standard, but 60-day and 90-day visas can be issued upon request with your initial application. When you apply for your tourist visa, ask for the longest duration that will accommodate your program. If you are doing a 6-week program, request a 60-day tourist visa. If your program is 12 weeks, please request a 90-day tourist visa. The embassy will issue you a 30-day visa by default if you don't ask. The single entry visa is only valid for 90 days from date of issue; therefore, please do not apply for your visa more than three months before your departure.
If you are issued a 30-day visa and you need a longer one, CCS can try to help you extend it while you are in Xi'an, however nothing can be guaranteed. Please also note that we can only help you extend your visa to cover the remainder of the time you will be on our program, which does not include any independent traveling you might be doing. The Chinese government may only allow you to extend your visa once, for 30 days. If you're unable to extend your visa while in Xi'an, you may have to leave China and come back after reapplying for a Chinese visa; Hong Kong will be the least expensive and most convenient destination to do this.
In order to apply for a visa, you will need a passport (must be valid for at least six months after you depart China and have at least one blank page), visa application, a passport photograph, and a fee of US$130 for U.S. citizens (US$30 for citizens of other countries). Visa applications are available for download from the Chinese Embassy's website.
Non-U.S., Canadian, or European citizens should locate the consulate closest to you. You can find a complete list of consulates around the world at EmbassyWorld.com.
Costa Rica
U.S. and Canadian citizens will be issued a 90-day visa upon arrival in Costa Rica. If you plan to stay for longer than 90 days, you should register for a stay with the Immigration Department. To enter Costa Rica, you must have a passport which is valid for six months after your scheduled departure from Costa Rica and proof of a return ticket or onward journey to a different country.
Non-U.S. and Canadian citizens may need a visa. Detailed information can be found at costarica.com.
No tourist visa required for stays of up to 90 days: Argentina, Austria, Canada, Columbia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Romania, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom, United States No tourist visa required for stays of up to 30 days: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican, Venezuela A tourist visa required for stays of up to 30 days: Andorra, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Grenada Grenadines, Greece, Guadalupe, Guyana, Haiti, Malta, Martinique, Morocco, Paraguay, Peru, San Marino, Serbia & Montenegro, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Saudi Arabia, Surinam, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, Jamaica What documents will be required? For most entries to Costa Rica:
- Valid passport (must be valid for at least six months beyond date of entry/visa issue)
- Pre-paid airline ticket to exit Costa Rica
In addition, if a visa is required (see above), the following must be provided:
- Completed Visa Application Form
- One color passport-sized photograph (2" × 2")
- Photocopy of your itinerary issued by your travel agency or airline, or a photocopy of your round-trip ticket to Costa Rica
- Additional documents and fees may be required at the Consulate's own discretion
Ghana
U.S., UK, Australian, and Canadian participants traveling to Ghana should apply for a Business visa. The Ghanaian consulate requires you to include:
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Your passport (must be valid for at least six months after your return)
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A certified bank check or money order for the amount of the cost of your visa
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1-4 passport-sized photographs (depending on your country)
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A copy of your Yellow Fever vaccination card
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A copy of your flight itinerary
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A stamped express envelope (the consulate will use it to return your passport and visa)
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A Letter of Invitation from CCS
It normally takes at least two weeks to process a visa application. Applicants must include their passports as part of their applications as all visas are inserted into the passports. All participants should locate their nearest Ghanaian consulate and contact them directly to obtain an application.
U.S.: Please complete an online visa application. Canada: Download visa application. UK: Download visa application. Australia: Download visa application.
Guatemala
U.S., Canadian, Australian, and UK citizens will be issued a 90-day visa upon arrival in Guatemala. If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you should register for a stay with the Immigration Department. To enter Guatemala, you must have a passport which is valid for six months after your scheduled departure from Guatemala and proof of a return ticket or an onward journey to a different country.
India
U.S. citizens must apply for a visa to travel to India. The visa applications process in the U.S. has recently been outsourced to Travisa. You will be required to provide:
Processing times vary from 5-15 days. You can start the online application at the Travisa website. Canadian citizens can obtain information about visa applications at the High Commission of India in Ottawa's website. UK citizens can obtain information about visas and start your online application at the India Visa Application Centre for the United Kingdom.
Morocco
If you hold a passport from the USA, Canada, UK, or Australia you do not need a visa to enter Morocco. If you hold a passport from any other country, please refer to the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Morocco's website. Your passport will be stamped upon arrival in Morocco, which permits you to stay in Morocco for up to 90 days after the date you arrive.
Peru
If you hold a valid U.S., Canadian, or EU passport, you do not need to apply for a visa, You should ask for a 90-day tourist visa upon arrival at the Lima airport. If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you can purchase a 30-day extension with the tourist police in Lima for approximately US$20. If you are not a U.S., or EU citizen you may need a visa. Please check with the Peruvian consulate in your area to find out whether or not you will need a visa. The general process involves a copy of your passport, a round trip ticket, one passport-sized photo, and a payment of US$12.
Russia
Volunteers traveling to Russia must obtain a Business Charity visa to participate in our program. The process for obtaining your Business Charity visa can take up to 12 weeks, so please allow yourself enough time when enrolling for a program in Russia. The first step in obtaining your Russian visa is to obtain a Letter of Invitation, which CCS will facilitate for you. You must then provide the required information to your Program Manager as well as a copy of your passport. Please speak with one of our Program Enrollment Managers if you do not have a valid passport when registering for the program. The Letter of Invitation takes approximately 6-8 weeks to process. To obtain your Russian visa, you are required to provide a completed application form, two passport-sized photos, and the corresponding fee (US$180 or £75). You will need to send your passport to obtain your visa. The visa will take from 2-4 weeks to process (though you may be able to expedite the process by paying an additional fee; ask your Program Manager for details). CCS can suggest a travel service that can assist you in obtaining your visa, and CCS will provide guidelines on how to complete the application and assist you in the process.
South Africa
The holders of passports of the following countries do not require visas to enter South Africa for visits of 90 days or less:
Australia, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, British Islands of Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey, Isle of Man, Virgin Islands, Republic of Ireland, British Overseas territories.
Nationals of the following countries need a visa to enter South Africa:
British Dependent Territories including Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, Cayman Island, Falkland Islands, Gibralter, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Henderson, Cucia and Oeno Islands, Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The passport holders of the following countries are not required to hold a visa in respect of purposes for which a visitor's permit may be issued for an intended stay of 90 days and when in transit:
Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, Venezuela, United States of America.
Tanzania
U.S., Canadian, Australian, and U.K. Citizens are required to provide a passport, two passport photographs, flight itinerary, money order in the correct amount, a supporting letter from CCS, and a pre-paid self-addressed envelope. For US citizens, single-entry visas cost US$100 and are valid for six months from the date of issue. For Canadian, Australian, and UK citizens, the visa is valid for three months from the date of issue. If you intend to stay in Tanzania longer than six months, you can obtain an extension at any Immigration Office in the country. Visa applications normally take about two weeks to process. Though we strongly recommend that you obtain your visa before arriving in Tanzania, it may be possible to obtain your Tanzania visa at the Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam airport.
Thailand
U.S. and Canadian citizens are required to obtain a tourist visa for visits of more than 30 days. You will be required to provide a passport, an application form, a passport photo and a US$25 fee (CAN$40). For visits of 30-60 days, a 60 day tourist visa can be obtained from the Thai Embassy of your jurisdiction. The single-entry visa must be used within 90 days from the date of issuance. For stays of between 60-90 days, you will have to apply for a 60-day visa and then purchase an extension on your visa once you are in Thailand. This can be done in Bangkok at the immigration division. You will need to show proof of having enough money to support yourself for the additional month in Thailand (approximately US$250). Non-U.S. citizens should check with EmbassyWorld to locate their nearest Thai embassy.
