It officially opens on Monday, November 18, 2019 for the public and campus community in 138 Kirby Plaza, 1208 Kirby Drive.
This is the first time that U.S. citizens can apply for their passport on campus and get passport and visa photos taken for their applications.
The opening coincides with International Education Week, November 18 - 22, 2019.
International Programs & Services is getting the word out while tabling in Kirby Commons on Monday, November 18 from 12 - 2 p.m. and on Thursday, November, 21 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Before passports were available on campus, acquiring them was difficult for the 300 Bulldogs who travel internationally every year. Karl Markgraf, director of International Programs & Services, explains they’d have to make separate trips to the license bureau or post office to get their application, and to Walgreens for their photo. “Many students don’t come to UMD with a car. Now, with the campus U.S. Passport Facility, we’ve alleviated a barrier to international travel.” Students also receive a discount on the cost of their photo.
The U.S. Passport Facility is open by appointment, (218) 726-8764, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Passports can take up to eight weeks to process.