AFS is an experiential learning program, not a travel program. You must adhere to the internal travel guidelines of AFS in the host country while on program, which may include obtaining prior approval from:
- the local AFS volunteer (s) and national AFS official
- your host family
- your parents or guardian, who will be asked to sign an Independent Travel Waiver Form.
The following are general guidelines established by AFS regarding independent travel. Given the geographic differences of countries, AFS partners may have different guidelines specific to their country or region. You are required to abide by the requirements of the host country in which you reside.
Note: Currently some countries are not permitting independent travel or international travel. If you have questions, please consult your Host Country Welcome Booklet available in the Program Resources section of your dashboard, and/or check with your local AFS contact in the host country.
Independent Travel Guidelines
The following are general guidelines established by AFS regarding travel. Given the differences of each host country, including geographic and cultural, AFS partners may have different guidelines specific to their country or region. Some AFS partners may only permit you to travel with members of your host family or school while others may permit you to travel with an adult chaperone or independently. Some may only allow travel after a certain period of time (e.g. 5 months after your program starts). You are required to abide by the requirements of the host country in which you reside. If you are planning a trip, make sure to reach out to your local support person to find out the travel guidelines of your host country.
- AFS compulsory events and school attendance must not be interrupted by travel activities.
- For all travel, the participant must provide AFS information regarding dates, itinerary, housing accommodation and a telephone contact number. This information should be shared with AFS a minimum of 2-3 weeks prior to the trip.
- AFS permission is not required for travel activities within the host country that are approved school/class trips, or if the participant is traveling with members of the host family. The participant must provide AFS information regarding dates, itinerary, housing accommodation and telephone contact number.
- AFS permission is required if the participant is traveling alone, with relatives members of family/relatives from their home country, or with non-AFS groups whether inside or outside of the host country.
- AFS permission is required for all travel outside of the host country.
- AFS discourages independent travel away from the host community and will not take responsibility for independent travel.
- AFS permission is not required for travel activities within the host country that are approved school/class trips, or if the participant is traveling with members of the host family. The participant must provide AFS information regarding dates, itinerary, housing accommodation and telephone contact number.
- AFS permission is required if the participant is traveling alone, with members of family/relatives from their home country or with non-AFS groups whether inside or outside of the host country.
- Independent travel with parents/legal guardians is strongly discouraged not encouraged as it may interfere with the student’s immersion within the host community and culture but may be permitted on case-by-case basis.
- Depending on the circumstances, AFS may require an Independent Travel Waiver from the participant’s parents/legal guardians releasing AFS from any costs, arrangements or responsibility for any actions to or by the participant during the travel period. (see the Appendix for a sample waiver).
- Participants are not released from AFS Participation Agreement Terms and Conditions during travel.
- AFS must know your general whereabouts and contact information at all times.
- Medical expense coverage as described in the medical pamphlet will apply as long as you remain on the AFS program and the travel takes place within the program dates.
- While the participant will remain under the AFS Medical Coverage, AFS will not be responsible for the kind of service or medical care administered to the participant during the Waiver period.
If you travel without meeting all of the specific conditions required by the host country, the action can be considered grounds for program termination and early return to the home country.
AFS travel guidelines are designed to maintain the integrity of AFS programs and to help you adapt fully to your life as an exchange participant. You have an obligation to your host family, community, and school, which should be viewed as a priority over the desire to travel to other parts of the country.
Travel to Other Countries
During the exchange, you may be offered the possibility to take a field trip or vacation into a country or countries bordering the area where you are hosted. Please note that these types of trips may require you to apply for a tourist or other type of entry visa. While we realize that such trips can be an exciting and enriching opportunity, AFS-USA is not able to assist each student who will require a visa for the purpose of a school or host family trip during their exchange.
Once granted permission to take a trip or trips to another country during you exchange, you will be the one responsible for ensuring that you have the correct documents to legally travel there and re-enter your host country. If a visa will be needed in order to cross a border for extracurricular travel during the exchange, you must work with your host family, your family in the U.S., and/or any person or organization (such as the host school or other activity group) who is sponsoring your trip, in order to complete the visa process.
AFS-USA will assist with the travel waivers needed for these trips, however, the details of the visa process and follow-up on required documents will be up to you and your family to research, understand, and complete.