PRE-DEPARTURE GUIDANCE
PASSPORT
Currently, Vietnamese passport is valid for ten years. You must obtain or renew your passport before applying for a visa, because many countries will not issue a visa or allow your entry unless there is at least six months left on your passport. Please note that passport processing may take 14 working days or longer.
Further information about passport applications, instructions can be found here
VISA
Students are responsible for applying visa and its payment.
Depending on the country and its requirements, your visa may take a few days to several months to be processed.
You are recommended to visit the website of your host country’s Embassy or Consulate General in Vietnam for the necessary forms and apply as soon as you receive the Letter of Acceptance from host universities.
CONTACT LIST OF CONSULATES IN HO CHI MINH CITY
| No. | Consulate General | Contact Information |
| 1 | United States of America | 04 Le Duan, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (84-8) 3520-4610 Fax: (84-8) 3520-4622 Email: achcmc@state.gov Website: http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov |
| 2 | Canada | 235 Dong Khoi, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: +84 (8) 3827 9899 Email: hochi@international.gc.ca Website: http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca |
| 3 | United Kingdom | 25 Le Duan, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: +84 (8) 38251380/1 Email: bcghcmc@hcm.vnn.vn |
| 4 | France | 27 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: +84 (8) 3520 68 00 Website: http://www.consulfrance-hcm.org |
| 5 | Spain | 216/A11 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City |
| 6 | Austria | Osid Building, 5th Floor, 8 Nguyen Hue, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| 7 | German | 126 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: +84 8 3829 1967 Fax: +848 3823 1919 Website: http://www.ho-chi-minh-stadt.diplo.de |
| 8 | Australia | F20, Vincom Center, 47 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: +84 8 35218 100 Fax: +84 8 35218 101 Website: http://www.hcmc.vietnam.embassy.gov.au |
| 9 | New Zealand | R 909/9th Floor Metropole Building, 235 Dong Khoi, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: +84 8 38226907 Fax: +84 8 38226905 |
| 10 | Korea | 107 Nguyen Du, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: +84 8 3822 5757 Email: hcm02@mofa.go.kr Fax: +84 8 3822 5750 Website: http://vnm-hochiminh.mofa.go.kr |
| 11 | Japan | 261 Dien Bien Phu, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: +84-8-3933-3510 Email: ryoujikan@hc.mofa.go.jp Fax: +84-8-3933-3520 Website: http://www.hcmcgj.vn.emb-japan.go.jp |
BUDGET PLAN
It is necessary to estimate a budget when you study abroad. Depending on your lifestyle, each student will have various budgets. The listed below is the general expenses that need to be planned before your departure:
- Tuition to IU for each semester of exchange
- Student visa
- Airfare (return ticket)
- Medical insurance
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Textbooks
- Personal expenses
- Local transportation and Travel
ACCOMMODATION
Before your departure, your host institution’s exchange coordinator will be able to advise you concerning options for arranging and registering accommodations. It is your responsibility to take care of these matters before you leave.
AIRPORT PICKUP SERVICE
Some institutions may offer an airport pickup service at the airport. Be sure to inform your host institution’s exchange coordinator about your latest flight arrival information.
If there is no pickup service available through your institution, you will need to make your own arrangement. Your host institution exchange coordinator may be able to provide you directions and the approximate costs of public transportation or taxi service to your destination.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Some host institutions will require exchange students to purchase their own health insurance as part of the enrollment requirements, so that you can access the host institution’s health facilities or local hospital. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are informed of these details from your host institution.
CONTACTING HOST AND HOME COORDINATOR
Visit the Coordinator at your host university right after you arrive and make sure they know your address, phone number, and email address in your host country.
Keep in touch with your IU Outgoing student Coordinator regularly whenever you have any emergency issues about your exchange.