Travel Approval
The University of Minnesota encourages its students to participate in education experiences abroad. To minimize health and safety risks, University policy requires students, or faculty leading students, traveling to countries on the U.S. Department of State's travel warning list to seek special permission.
In addition, travelers may be required to submit a request for permission to travel to locations or participate in programs that pose a specific health, safety, or security concern as indicated by authorities other than the U.S. Department of State such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), non-U.S. government authorities (e.g., Australian or Canadian authorities), and University of Minnesota authorities.
The International Travel Risk Assessment and Advisory Committee will review requests to travel to these countries. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. The committee review process commonly takes 6 to 8 weeks.
International Travel Risk Assessment and Advisory Committee (ITRAAC)
The International Travel Risk Assessment and Advisory Committee is comprised of the Associate Vice President for International Programs, the General Counsel, the Senior Vice President for System Academic Administration, and the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences. The Assistant Vice President for Public Health will serve on the committee whenever a decision is being considered for public health reasons. Decisions are made by unanimous consent of the committee members.
In deciding whether to approve a program in a country with a travel warning, the Committee will consider the following factors:
- The academic purpose of the opportunity;
- Whether the opportunity is for undergraduate, graduate, or professional development;
- The educational, research, or professional development importance of the opportunity in relation to the students' academic program;
- The political and physical conditions in the site country;
- The level of risk to students' health and safety;
- Travel conditions and the ability to evacuate students, if necessary; and
- The manageability of legal risk to the University.
The International Travel Risk Assessment and Advisory Committee is also responsible for deciding whether to suspend an education abroad opportunity sponsored by the University when a significant health or safety concern is raised regarding the opportunity. (MORE)
Individual Students
Students who wish to participate in an education abroad opportunity in a country on the State Department warning list should begin by contacting the education abroad office on their campus.
- Crookston: Contact UMC Study Abroad Office
- Duluth: Contact International Education Office
- Morris: Contact Study Abroad at UMM
- Rochester: Contact Student Services Office
- Twin Cities: Contact Shelly Fisher, Learning Abroad Center, at 612-626-7134 or sfisher@umn.edu
Faculty and Departments Leading Programs Abroad
Faculty or departments that are organizing a program to bring students abroad are highly encouraged to work with the Learning Abroad Center or the education abroad office on their campus for assistance with these health and safety arrangements:
- seeking permission to travel to countries on the State Department warning list through the International Travel Risk Assessment and Advisory Committee
- releases and waivers
- medical insurance
- emergency plans
- more
If you do NOT work with the Learning Abroad Center or the education abroad office on your campus, you must handle these arrangements on your own. Contact Stacey Tsantir, Office of International Programs, at 612-625-5107 or stsantir@umn.edu with any questions.
Official University Policy and Procedure
- Policy: Education Abroad Opportunities: Addressing Health & Safety Risks
- Procedure: Preparing for Education Abroad Opportunities
International Health Insurance
All students, staff, and faculty approved for travel by the International Travel Risk Assessment and Advisory Committee are required to carry international health insurance approved by the University of Minnesota.