Full-time students aged 12 and over * will find on the ISIC (International Student Identity Card) the ticket for discounts on transportation (such as Amtrak), accommodation (such as hostels and hotels), tours (worldwide), activities , shopping, and entertainment. Not only that, but as a traveler, ISIC cards will also give you access to basic health and travel insurance abroad, which is quite a surprising offer.
The ISIC card costs $ 25, or slightly more if you want to update your travel insurance policy with them, and is valid for one year from the date of issue. I think it’s great value for money for students, and I highly recommend getting one. There are so many discounts available to you through this card that you should get your money back in just a couple of months.
Here’s how to get an ISIC card:
* You must seek a degree from an accredited institution.
Difficulty: easy
Time required: a few hours
What you will need before applying:
- One passport size photo (2 × 2 inches, with name printed in ink on the back)
- $ 25 payment, whether you apply online, by mail, or in person
- Proof of student status
- Proof of age
- $ 3 or $ 20 per shipment, depending on whether or not you get your card expedited.
A step-by-step process to obtain your ISIC card
- You can call 1-800-223-7986 (toll free) to apply over the phone through an STA travel agency, apply for an ISIC card online, or find the closest brick and mortar ISIC issuing office. Many campus registrars or international education offices (study abroad) are ISIC issuers, so ask for the campus first as it will be faster. If you don’t have an ISIC card issuer on campus, I recommend applying online as it is a much simpler process.
- Gather a passport-sized photo (2 × 2-inch head and shoulders shot, with your name printed in ink on the back). You will not need to do this if you are applying online.
- Prepare the payment of $ 25 if requested by mail, and add $ 3.00 if it is by mail. If you are paying online, make sure you have your credit or debit card ready, or log into your Paypal account.
- Then gather proof of the student’s status – this could be a photocopy of the school ID that is valid this year or a photocopy of their transcript for this academic year. You can then take it to the office, send a photocopy if you request it by mail, or scan it to your laptop if you are buying your card online.
- Gather proof of your age – This could be a copy of your driver’s license, your passport, your state-issued ID card, or your student ID card if it shows your age. A birth certificate will not work here, because your proof must show a current photo and your age.
- If you are applying by phone or online, be prepared to upload your documents to your laptop so that you can upload them to the online form or email them to the person you are speaking with on the phone. If applying by mail, send the $ 25 you prepared and the above documents to STA Travel, INC. National Call Center, Identification Card Department; 585 N Juniper Drive, Suite 250; Chandler, AZ 85226.
- You’re done! Now you just have to wait for your ISIC card to arrive, and then you can start reaping the benefits. Standard shipping will take 15 business days and cost you $ 3. If you’re in a rush, you can expedite shipping to two days by paying $ 15. The ISIC card is great for student travel discounts, like the student travel discount on Amtrak , and you can also use it as an international ID while traveling around the world.
This article has been edited and updated by Lauren Juliff.
