Trip prep
Visas and advisories — the parts that are easy to miss until they are urgent.
Visa difficulty at a glance
Difficulty here is not about paperwork volume. It is about how much of the timeline is outside your control: consulate appointment scarcity, background checks that need apostilles, and documents your host school has to file for you.
| City | Country | Advisory | Visa | Official |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | United Kingdom | Level 2 · Exercise increased caution | Easiest | Apply |
| Rome | Italy | Level 2 · Exercise increased caution | Hardest | Apply |
| Florence | Italy | Level 2 · Exercise increased caution | Hardest | Apply |
| Madrid | Spain | Level 2 · Exercise increased caution | Hard | Apply |
| Tokyo | Japan | Level 1 · Exercise normal precautions | Moderate | Apply |
| Mexico City | Mexico | Level 2 · Exercise increased caution | Easier | Apply |
| Zagreb | Croatia | Level 1 · Exercise normal precautions | Moderate | Apply |
| Abu Dhabi | United Arab Emirates | Level 3 · Reconsider travel | Moderate | Apply |
Advisory levels checked 2 October 2026 and change without notice. Visa requirements depend on your citizenship and how long you are staying. Confirm on the official site before acting.
Start this the week you are accepted
- Check your passport is valid at least six months past your return date. Renewals take weeks.
- Find out whether your stay exceeds the visa-free limit — 90 days for Schengen, 180 for Mexico, six months for the UK.
- If a background check or apostille is required, start it before anything else. It is the longest pole.
- Book the consulate appointment before you book flights. Appointments are scarcer than seats.
- Ask your program what they file on your behalf and what is yours to handle. Assume nothing.
Travel advisories, and why they can end a plan
The State Department rates every country one to four. The number is not just advice — universities use it to decide whether a program runs at all.
| Level | Means | What it usually means for study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 · Exercise normal precautions | Exercise normal precautions | No obstacle. |
| Level 2 · Exercise increased caution | Exercise increased caution | Normal. Most of Europe sits here because of general terrorism risk. |
| Level 3 · Reconsider travel | Reconsider travel | Many universities suspend or refuse to approve programs. Expect extra paperwork at minimum. |
| Level 4 · Do not travel | Do not travel | Programs do not run. Insurance will not cover you. |
- Some countries are rated by region, not nationally. Mexico is the clearest case: Mexico City is Level 2 while several states are Level 3 or 4. Check every state you plan to visit on a weekend, not just where you live.
- Enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so the nearest embassy can reach you in an emergency.
- Ask your study abroad office what happens to your credits and your money if a level rises mid-semester. Get the answer before you go.
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