International Travel

  1. Issued:September 25, 2003
  2. Revised:August 16, 2016
  3. Policy Number: HR-39
  4. Responsible Office:Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost
  5. Policy Contact: Office of International Safety and Security
    (217) 333-6104
  7. Print Policy
The following policy addresses concerns about the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff during international travel. This policy is in addition to all other University travel policies. See the Travel Guide for University Employees maintained by the Office of Business and Financial Services, available on-line at Travel Guide for University Employees.

International Travel Policy

  1. The University shall review on a case-by-case basis all University-sponsored, student travel to regions under a United States Department of State (or other agency) “Travel Warning.” University sponsorship includes, but is not limited to: funding administered through the University; advising for travel through the University; pre-arranged course credit arising from the travel; travel through a Registered Student Organization; travel required for completion of a degree. This case-by- case review applies to travel on University programs with or without faculty leadership, programs provided by other universities or entities, or individual student travel deemed to be under University sponsorship.When Travel Warnings are posted for regions to which student travel is anticipated, the University will not permit such travel until adequate review has been conducted and conditions surrounding such travel are deemed acceptable. Permission for travel under University sponsorship may be denied at any time. The University may demand withdrawal of students currently in a region when a Travel Warning is posted for that region. If students refuse to depart the affected venue, University support shall be withdrawn, which might result in financial loss to the student such as requiring repayment of student financial aid. Additionally, it is not always possible for the University to assure full cost and credit recovery to students who do comply with a mandated withdrawal and this is a risk students assume when they undertake study or research abroad.Students or faculty/staff sponsors of student travel must submit a proposal to Student International Academic Affairs at least two months prior to anticipated travel, meeting the criteria enumerated in Section 4(a-e), below. Permission to travel may be denied, in which case all elements of University sponsorship shall be withheld.

    Students traveling individually or on University or other programs must complete a “Special Waiver for Student Travel to ‘Travel Warning’ Regions.”

  2. The University will review on a case-by-case basis plans for travel by faculty and staff on University funding to countries for which Travel Warnings have been issued. These plans should be submitted to International Travel Policy, Office of the Provost, not later than one month before the desired departure date. Permission for travel using University funds may be denied.
  3. Travel on University funds will not be authorized to countries for which a mandatory evacuation order has been issued. When the U.S. Department of State issues a mandatory evacuation order, all faculty, staff, and students who are in the country must contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to obtain all relevant information and guidance, and must leave the country by the most expeditious and secure means available. They are also required to contact their sponsoring University department at the earliest opportunity with information about their whereabouts and plans.
  4. Plans submitted for University review should include:
    1. Explanation of the purpose of the travel and the reasons why the purpose justifies travel to a country with a current Travel Warning in effect.
    2. Confirmation that all travelers have reviewed the relevant sources of essential information (see below), are fully informed of the content of the current Travel Warning for the planned destination, and that faculty/staff have individually discussed the risks of travel with their unit executive officer, that graduate students have discussed the risks with their research advisor, and that undergraduate students have discussed the risks with a relevant advisor or faculty person.
    3. Confirmation that before departure all travelers will have purchased insurance to cover emergency medical treatment, evacuation, and repatriation. Students are required to obtain this insurance through the Study Abroad Office.
    4. Assurance that all travelers will register with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate nearest their destination before arrival in-country and will keep the Embassy or Consulate informed of their whereabouts while in-country. This should be done on-line: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/step.html.
    5. Faculty/staff must provide a separate letter from their unit executive officer confirming that the risks associated with the planned travel have been discussed with each traveler, that each traveler is fully informed of the risks, and that the unit executive officer believes the travel is justified in view of the risks.
    6. Graduate/Professional students must provide such a letter from their research advisor.
    7. Undergraduate students must provide a faculty recommendation noting soundness of academic plan, academic imperative for study or travel to a Travel Warning region, and an assessment of the student’s maturity and reliability consonant with the presumed additional risk inherent in the region.

Sources of Essential Information

  1. All members of the University community who are contemplating international travel are expected to monitor and observe all U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings, Public Announcements, and Consular Information Sheets, as well as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travel Alerts, Travel Advisories, and Notices. In addition, travel warnings, restrictions, or advisories issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Agriculture must be monitored and followed.
  2. Prior to international travel, faculty, staff, and students should become aware of the risks associated with international travel. Several key reference sources provide general information on travel, as well as specific area, risks and precautions. These include:
  3. The sources below provide specific information regarding travel safety and resources. It is essential to monitor these sites to determine the risks to the international traveler for the area of travel. Be sure to view information on all international transit points (e.g., stopovers) as well as your destination. The sources are:
  4. Additional international travel resources and services can be found at:

Questions about this policy should be directed to the Office of International Safety and Security, (217) 333-6104.

  1. Issued:September 25, 2003
  2. Revised:August 16, 2016
  3. Policy Number: HR-39
  4. Responsible Office:Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost
  5. Policy Contact: Office of International Safety and Security
    (217) 333-6104
  7. Print Policy
  1. Academic and Graduate Hourly Appointment and Pay
  2. Academic Professional Position and Title Approval
  3. Academic Professional Position Cyclic Review Procedure
  4. Academic Professional Salary Equity Review Process
  5. Academic Retroactive Salary Increases and Salary Minima for Certain Academic Employees
  6. Administrative Salary
  7. Affirmative Action Guidelines and Procedures for Academic Appointments
  8. Affirmative Action Non-Academic Program
  9. Affirmative Action Program Funding Procedures for Learner and Trainee Positions
  10. Alcohol and Drugs
  11. Annual Reappointment of Certain Administrative Personnel
  12. Annual Vacation/Sick Leave Reporting
  13. Approved Public Service Activities
  14. Attachments and Forms Required for New Faculty, Academic Professional, and Graduate Assistantship Appointments
  15. Background Investigation for Employees Required to Have Unescorted Access to Radioactive Materials
  16. Bereavement Leave
  17. Conflicts of Commitment and Interest
  18. Conflicts of Interest in Supervisory Relationships
  19. Departmental Affiliate
  20. Departmental Classification Program
  21. Determining Eligibility for Participation in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) or Social Security System and State Insurance "A" Payroll
  22. Educational Loan Default Bill
  23. Effort and Compensation on Sponsored Projects
  24. Electronic Information Technology Accessibility
  25. Employment Agencies
  26. Employment Eligibility Verification
  27. Employment of International Faculty and Staff
  28. Employment of Relatives
  29. Employment Severance Agreements
  30. Evaluation of the Ability to Work
  31. Exemption From Tuition and Fees for Graduate Student Assistants
  32. Faculty Salary Equity Review Process
  33. Family and Medical Leave
  34. Flexible Work Schedules
  35. Human Resources Guidelines During Periods of Pre-Critical and Critical Incidents
  36. Illinois Governmental Ethics Act
  37. Illinois Healthcare Worker Criminal Background Check Act
  38. Institutional Benefits for Retired Faculty and Staff
  39. International Travel
  40. Jury Duty and Military Leave for Academic Staff Members
  41. Leaves of Absence Without Pay
  42. Lump Sum Payments for Civil Service Employees
  43. Modified Teaching Duties for Faculty Members with a New Child
  44. New Letters of Reference for Former University Employees
  45. Non Academic Hiring Procedures
  46. Non-Academic Background Investigation Program
  47. Nondiscrimination Policy
  48. Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act
  49. Obtaining Permanent Residence for Foreign Staff Members
  50. Oral Proficiency in English and the Employment of Non-Native Speaking Faculty and Teaching Assistants
  51. Parental Leave
  52. Parental Leave for Graduate Assistants
  53. Participation in International Activities
  54. Percentage and Length of Assistantship Appointments
  55. Performance Review for Academic Professional Employees
  56. Performance Review for Civil Service Employees
  57. Permanent Layoff Policy for Staff Employees
  58. Personnel Record Review Act
  59. Physical Examinations/Health Assessments
  60. Pre-Employment Complaints for Faculty and Academic Professional Positions
  61. Pre-Employment Physical Examinations
  62. Probationary Period
  63. Protection of Minors Policy
  64. Rank/Class Codes for Academic Appointments
  65. Reasonable Accommodations Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (Accessibility and Accommodations Division)
  66. Reassignment (Lateral Transfer)
  67. Recruitment Advertising for Non Academic Positions
  68. Reemployment of Retired Academic and Staff Employees
  69. Release of Employment Information About Non-Academic Employees
  70. Relocation of Academic Professional Employees
  71. Remote and Hybrid Work
  72. Resignation/Separation Form
  73. Response to Suicide Threats and Attempts Among Faculty, Academic Professionals and Staff
  74. Retirement Date for Academic Employees
  75. Security Sensitive Academic Staff Positions
  76. Service in Excess of 100 Percent for Academic Employees
  77. Severe Sanctions Other Than Dismissal for Cause for Members of the Faculty
  78. Sexual Misconduct
  79. Shared Benefits (Sick Leave) for Academic Staff
  80. Sick Leave for Academic Staff Members
  81. Summer Academic Appointments for Other than Summer Session Teaching
  82. Transfer of Sick Leave and Vacation Credit
  83. Trial Lateral Reassignment for Staff Employees