International

Planning

COVID-19:

  • International Booking restrictions/required approvals vary by campus. Please review the campus restrictions page prior to making travel arrangements.
  • Visit the CDC’s International Travel During COVID-19 page prior to booking.
  • It is recommended to contact your campus International Education Office or Risk Management Office to enroll in CISI insurance. This insurance provides additional coverage in the event you are not able to return home due to a positive COVID-19 test result.

EntryAssist

Covid-19 Travel Country Entry Assistance

  • Entry testing requirements

  • Testing types and timing

  • Proof of vaccination requirements

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International Travel FAQ

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Travelers should first check Concur for lodging arrangements. If no suitable options are available, travelers may book with a lodging establishment of their choosing so long as the rate is below the rate maximum for the location. Acceptable lodging includes: hotels, hostels and Airbnb. In-kind lodging is allowable, but no expenses may be submitted for reimbursement if this lodging method is chosen. 

Air travel must be booked with the designated agency. International flights in excess of 8 hours may book Premium Economy seats.

Exception: If the traveler is purchasing the airfare while in travel status, outside of the United States, to a destination other than the United States, the airfare may be purchased directly with the air carrier. Third party sites (such as Expedia) are still non-reimbursable. 

All international faculty/staff travelers are strongly encouraged to register for CISI insurance. Students are required to register for this insurance.  Contact your risk management or international education office for registration instructions. 

Other travel insurances are not required, recommended or reimbursemable. 

Special Considerations for International Travel can be found in the Miscellanous Travel Expenses Policy. Receipts are required regardless of cost.

Reimburseable costs associated with Foreign/International travel:

  • Cost of COVID testing required to return to the United States
    • Include receipt (if available) and proof of test result obtained as documentation. If no receipt is available, follow your institution's guide for missing receipts.
  • Travel visas
  • required inoculations/vaccinations
  • foreign transaction fees incurred on corporate cards
  • business communications, including international calling plans when accompanied by business justification (individual phone calls are part of the M&IE per diem allowance)

U.S. Department of State RSS Feed

As a first step in planning any trip abroad, check the Travel Advisories for your intended destination.

  1. Kenya - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

    25 May 2022 | 7:00 pm

    Exercise increased caution in Kenya due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

    Do Not Travel to:

    • Kenya-Somalia border counties and some coastal areas due to terrorism and kidnapping.
    • Areas of Turkana County due to crime.

    Reconsider Travel to:

    • Nairobi neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera at all times due to crime and kidnapping. Be especially careful when traveling after dark anywhere in Kenya due to crime.

    Country Summary: Violent crime, such as armed carjacking, mugging, home invasion, and kidnapping, can occur at any time. Local police are willing but often lack the capability to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents and terrorist attacks. Emergency medical and fire service is also limited.

    Terrorist attacks have occurred with little or no warning, targeting Kenyan and foreign government facilities, tourist locations, transportation hubs, hotels, resorts, markets/shopping malls, and places of worship. Terrorist acts have included armed assaults, suicide operations, bomb/grenade attacks, and kidnappings.

    Demonstrations may occur, blocking key intersections and resulting in widespread traffic jams.  Strikes and other protest activity related to political and economic conditions occur regularly, particularly in periods near elections.  Violence associated with demonstrations, ranging from rock throwing to police using deadly force, occurs around the country; it is mostly notable in western Kenya and Nairobi.

    Due to risks to civil aviation operating in the vicinity of the Kenyan-Somali border, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). For more information, U.S. citizens should consult Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.

    Some schools and other facilities acting as cultural rehabilitation centers are operating in Kenya with inadequate or nonexistent licensing and oversight.  Reports of minors and young adults being held in these facilities against their wills and physically abused are common.

    Read the country information page for additional information about travel to Kenya.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined Kenya has a low level of COVID-19. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

    If you decide to travel to Kenya:

    • Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel, and read the Embassy COVID-19 page for country-specific COVID-19 information. 
    • Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners.
    • Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
    • Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
    • Make contingency plans to leave the country. in case of an emergency Review the Traveler’s Checklist..
    • Always carry a copy of your U.S. passport and visa (if applicable). Keep original documents in a secure location.
    • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
    • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
    • Review the Country Security Report for Kenya.

    Kenya-Somalia Border Counties and Coastal Areas – Level 4: Do Not Travel

    Due to terrorism concerns, U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling to the Kenya-Somalia border counties and some coastal areas.

    Kenya-Somalia Border Counties:

    • Mandera due to kidnapping and terrorism.
    • Wajir due to kidnapping and terrorism.
    • Garissa due to kidnapping and terrorism.

    Coastal Areas:

    • Tana River county due to kidnapping and terrorism.
    • Lamu county due to kidnapping and terrorism.
    • Areas of Kilifi County north of Malindi due to kidnapping and terrorism.

    Turkana County – Level 4: Do Not Travel

    • Road from Kainuk to Lodwar due to crime, and armed robbery, which occur frequently. 

    Nairobi neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera – Level 3: Reconsider Travel

    Violent crime, such as armed carjacking, mugging, home invasion, and kidnapping, can occur at any time.  Street crime can involve multiple armed assailants. Local police often lack the resources and training to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.

    Consider carefully whether to use the Likoni ferry in Mombasa due to safety concerns.

    Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

    Last Update:  Reissued with Civil Unrest and security updates.

  1. Chad - Level 3: Reconsider Travel

    25 May 2022 | 7:00 pm

    Reconsider travel to Chad due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

    Do Not Travel to:

    • Lake Chad region due to terrorism.
    • Borders with Central African Republic, Libya, and Sudan due to armed conflict and minefields.

    Country Summary: Violent crimes, such as armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, and muggings, have occurred in Chad.

    Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting foreigners, local security forces, and civilians.

    Demonstrations occur sporadically and have on occasion resulted in violence or use of tear gas by authorities.

    The U.S. Government has extremely limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Chad as U.S. Government employees must obtain special authorization to travel outside of the capital.

    Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Chad.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined Chad has a low level of COVID-19. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

    If you decide to travel to Chad:

    Lake Chad Region – Do Not Travel

    Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting foreigners, local security forces, and civilians. Terrorists can easily cross borders. Government security forces may restrict civilian movement and engage in military operations with limited warning.

    The U.S. Government has extremely limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Chad, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin.

    Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

    Central African Republic, Libya, and Sudan Borders – Do Not Travel

    Armed non-governmental groups operate along Chad’s southern border with Central African Republic, Sudan, and in Libya and northern Chad.

    There are unmapped and undocumented minefields along the borders with both Libya and Sudan.

    The U.S. Government has extremely limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Chad, particularly in border areas with Central African Republic, Libya, and Sudan.

    Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

    Last Update: Reissued after periodic review with updates to information about demonstrations and areas of increased risk.

  1. Canada - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

    23 May 2022 | 7:00 pm

    Exercise normal precautions in Canada.

    Read the Country Information page for additional information on travel to Canada.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined Canada has a high level of COVID-19.  Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

    If you decide to travel to Canada:

    Last Update: Reissued after periodic review with no changes.

    Last Update: Reissued with updates to health information.

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