...
If you have any questions or need help discussing an international trip, please visit Texas Global website or submit "Connect with Us" form online to schedule a meeting or request a presentation with Global Risk & Safety.
Policy
The University of Texas System policy has designated all international travel as High Risk. All proposed university-related international travel (business, educational, medical, research, presentations, conferences, competitions, etc.) must be reviewed and approved by the International Oversight Committee (IOC). For more information on the steps to obtain approval for international travel, follow the International Travel Process.
- Requests require Dean/VP and Chair approval.
- Submit requests as early as possible, at least 5 weeks prior to departure.
- Trips must be registered with International SOS (UT System requirement). Note: This requirement has changed. See update below.
- Travel arrangements (airfare, lodging, etc.) can be made prior to sending request to IOC.
- The use of Concur or a UT-contracted travel agency is not required (unless by the department). However, using these tools will automatically enroll your trip with International SOS, and can provide savings of unit funds.
- Foreign Travel Approval
- Restricted Regions
- Travel to Cuba
- U.S. Department of State
- S.T.E.P. Program Enrollment
- Fly America Act and Open Skies Agreements
- Foreign Exchange Rates (OANDA)
- UT Passport Office
- Just Passports is a non-contract source offering assistance with expediting visa and passport applications.
Per Travel Management Services: International Travel
Update
Effective December 31, 2021, The University of Texas System will no longer contract with International SOS (ISOS) to cover university-related student, faculty, and staff international travel. The new international travel accident insurance and emergency assistance provider, On Call International, will provide services to UT’s international travelers. Key features of On Call International’s services and benefits include:
- Medical, travel, and security assistance, including insured evacuation services and international medical expense coverage;
- Coordination of emergency and nonemergency medical care;
- Coordination of travel arrangements for certain emergency circumstances such as hospitalization abroad;
- Limited coverage for COVID-19 (medical assistance, quarantine, food, lodging, etc.); and
- Travel monitoring mobile app and critical event intelligence alerts (powered by OnSolve)
To ensure a seamless transfer of operations, Texas Global and UT System risk managers are coordinating with the On Call International transition team to update webpages, informational handouts, protocols, etc. In the coming days, Texas Global will contact faculty, staff, and students who have university approval for travel in 2022 and provide them with updated information on how to obtain assistance from On Call International.
...
June 2022 Updates from Global Risk & Safety:
NEWS:
As of June 12, 2022, the United States no longer requires air passengers arriving from other countries, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status, to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for details.
- Note: Noncitizens who are nonimmigrants are still required to show proof of vaccination before boarding a flight to the United States.
REMINDERS:
All UT Austin international travelers are required to comply with the International Travel Process:
- The first step is to check the UT Austin Restricted Regions List to verify if your destination is considered a restricted region. If so, you will need to apply for and obtain approval from the International Oversight Committee (IOC).
- The second step is to register your trip, as required by UT System.
- Employees and students not participating in approved education abroad programs must register through the UT Austin International Travel Registry.
- Students participating in approved education abroad programs must register via the MyAbroad portal.
All registered travelers will be covered by On Call International Overseas Insurance.
UT employees can find more information about coverage while traveling on the UT System benefits website, including a quick reference chart.
Do not hesitate to contact Global Risk & Safety at grs@austin.utexas.edu if you have any questions about UT Austin international travel protocol. They are happy to schedule additional health and safety pre-departure orientations for students or information sessions for navigating the Restricted Regions process.
Travelers are encouraged to subscribe to Global Risk and Safety Updates blog and Global Risk and Safety mailing list at txglobal-grs-mailinglist@utlists.utexas.edu to ensure that they always receive the latest updates.
Policy Update
Effective May 18, 2022, The University of Texas System UTS190 policy has been updated and no longer makes reference to global pandemic as a determining factor in categorizing countries as High Risk. As a result, the number of countries now requiring IOC approval is significantly reduced.
There are still locations abroad that require IOC approval, as identified on the Restricted Regions List.
- Any employees or students planning travel in 2022 to destinations on this list will still be required to follow the Restricted Regions process. Requests for travel to these countries must be submitted via the international travel process at least five weeks prior to departure.
- Employees or students who have already submitted Restricted Regions requests will be contacted by Texas Global Risk and Safety staff with an update regarding the status of their request. (All travel has been approved to regions no longer considered High Risk.)
Please visit the Texas Global Risk and Safety website for resources concerning international travel for faculty, staff and students.