Visas/Travel Documentation/Passports

Like the U.S., other countries require visas or other documentation for foreign persons who enter the destination country to do research/or to work.  Research or work in a foreign country should not be done on a tourist visa only. Contact the foreign embassy office in the US for required visa documentation. For information on visa requirements by country, locations of foreign embassy offices, and other important information, please go to the U.S. State Departments site on Country Specific information below.

Visa Requirements by destination country and embassy locations in the U.S.: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4965.html

Additionally, all U.S. travelers must have a passport to travel back and forth from the U.S. The UC Merced Office of International Affairs Travel Tools website will provide information on obtaining or renewing a U.S. passport. Alternatively, please go directly to the U.S. State Department Passport site.

Please note that the U.S. restricts travel by U.S. citizens to certain countries and has trade embargoes against  countries that are in violation of U.S. foreign policy.  It’s important that researchers understand what countries have travel restrictions, and what countries have trade restrictions with the U.S.  These embargoes are administered and enforced by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). 

To see a list of countries the U.S. has sanctions against please go to: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Pages/Programs.aspx

To see a list of U.S. sanctions against Iran: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/pages/iran.aspx

To see a list of U.S. sanctions against Cuba: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/pages/cuba.aspx

Please note that the U.S. also has travel restrictions for U.S. citizens planning to travel to Cuba. Please contact Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Deborah Motton (dmotton@ucmerced.edu, 209-383-8655), if any UC Merced personnel are planning on traveling to Cuba on University business.