International Travel Safety

The University respects the academic freedom of all students, faculty, and staff to pursue international research, educational activities and service and recognizes that important work may sometimes take place in locations that pose unusual health and safety risks.

UND recognizes that travelers have significant responsibility for their own health, safety and security. UND also has an institutional interest in promoting this health, safety and security while pursuing its mission. These guidelines define basic institutional requirements that will promote these joint interests. 

UND-Affiliated International Travel Process

All international travelers must register their UND-affiliated travel with the institution.  Travel registration forms will be reviewed based on the US Department of State Advisories.  UND’s policy regarding Travel Advisories is as follows:

• Travel to countries with advisory levels of 1 or 2 is permissible but travelers will be required to confirm through the registration process that they are aware of the risks associated with their travel. 
• Travel to countries with a US Department of State Levels 3 and 4 Advisory is permitted with approval from the appropriate Dean/Supervisor and Vice President/Provost.  Travelers will be required to confirm through the registration process that they are aware of the risk associated with their travel.
• Travel to U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S Virgin Islands, is not subject to the international travel registration process. Anyone traveling internationally or outside the continental U.S., including U.S. territories, regardless of Department of State advisory level, is recommended to fill out the UND Check-in feature on the SafeCampus app. This allows UND to contact individuals with a notification push to contact UND in the event of an emergency (e.g. family, terrorist, earthquake).  
• All travelers, including international and domestic (including U.S. territories), are required to contact the UND Office of Safety to determine workers compensation and/or insurance prior to their departure.

International Travel Guidelines

UND faculty, staff, and students traveling internationally for university-sponsored purposes must register their travel prior to departure. If possible, the registration should be completed at least three weeks prior to the departure date. In some cases, as explained on the travel registration form, pre-approval from the supervisor, dean and appropriate VP is required for university-sponsored international travel. University-sponsored purposes can include, but are not limited to, conference participation, site visits, presentations, teaching abroad, student organization trips, and research excursions. Please review UND’s International Travel Policy for more information.

These guidelines outline the University’s requirements:

• UND related travel to  destinations outside the United States, regardless of US Department of State advisory level,  must complete the International Travel Registration Form.
• University Directed Study Abroad Programs student participants are exempt from this process as participants will be registered through UND Study Abroad application; Faculty should still complete this process.
• Official UND-affiliated travelers associated with EERC are required to work directly with EERC and the UND Office of Safety regarding their travel process, submit the appropriate EERC travel forms, and are exempt from this registration process.

International Travel Registration

To register your international travel, follow the steps below. Be sure to review the appropriate sections for individual travel or group travel, depending on your travel needs.

1. Research Your Destination

• Review the current US Department of State Advisory Level (as of the date of form completion). 
• Research specific country information, recent or current travel warnings and alerts, and passport and visa requirements at Travel.State.Gov.
• Research vaccination, health, and wellness information for your destination at the Traveler’s Center of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

2. Prepare Your Documents

If possible, complete the steps below to register your travel at least three weeks prior to your departure. 

• UND employees traveling and working outside the U.S. for more than 30 days will only be covered by ND Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI) from the day they leave through the 30th day for any work-related injury. If working on behalf of UND for near to or more than 30 days during international travel, a Notification of Out-of-Country Workers Compensation Coverage Form must also be completed. A link to this form is included in the appropriate registration form listed below. 
• UND works with Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) health insurance, which specifically covers international health issues that most domestic health insurance does not cover for health related issues outside of the U.S. This coverage is not required for non-study abroad travel, but there may be applicable coverage options for other UND sponsored travel. Contact the UND Office of Safety for more information. 
• International travel may also have export control implications. UND employees traveling internationally should review the UND Export Controls International Travel website to determine if the intended international travel may present export control concerns. 
• All faculty, staff and students traveling internationally or outside the continental U.S. for UND-sponsored travel are recommended to fill out the UND Check-in feature on the SafeCampus App. This allows UND to contact individuals with a notification push to contact UND in the event of an emergency. You will be required to acknowledge that you downloaded and activated the SafeCampus App in the appropriate registration form listed below.

3. Submit the Travel Registration Form

Advisory countries are determined by the U.S. Department of State (individuals and groups).  Please review the form prior to completion as additional signatures may be needed.

Form must be completed, signed via DocuSign or in person, and submitted by email to the UND Office of Safety at UND.safety@UND.edu and tearnie.braaten@UND.edu at least three (3) weeks prior to travel.

International Travel Registration

4. Prepare for Departure 

• Make photocopies or digital images of your important documents including the photo page of your passport, related visa information, and any vaccinations required for your destination and return to the U.S. Keep these copies in a safe and separate location from the originals. 
• Inform your financial institution(s) that you will be traveling internationally and make copies of important account information in case of problems. Keep these copies in a safe and separate locations from the originals.
• Consider any prescription medications, extra contact lenses and/or eyeglasses, a high-quality guidebook, language dictionary or phrase book, and high-quality sun protection and/or bug repellents. These items are often the most difficult to find internationally. 
• Follow individual UND Travel and Expenses protocol for travel reimbursement. An approval from the Office of Safety for the travel registration form is required by Procurement for any travel reimbursements requested.
• Consider enrolling in the State Department STEP Program, which is a free service that allows U.S. citizens traveling or living abroad to receive the latest security updates from the U.S. embassy or consulate.
• Review information provided by ND Risk Management regarding Out of State/Out of Country Travel.
• Update UND Office of Safety if your travel plans change.