Travel Policies

UT Austin believes that an international experience is essential to our academic mission. The Restricted Regions Travel Policy and the Student International Travel Policy were created in order to safeguard the well-being of students, faculty and staff going abroad.

Please note that these travel policies are separate from the Request for Travel Authorization (RTA) process. Anyone expecting to receive reimbursement from their department for their travel expenses should complete an RTA in addition to the forms required by Texas Global. The RTA is a departmental requirement and is not processed through Texas Global. Please contact your department with any questions.

• Restricted Regions Travel

  While all travel abroad has inherent risks, some parts of the world pose heightened risks to the health and safety of travelers. The International Oversight Committee (IOC) created the Restricted Regions Travel Policy in order to safeguard the well-being of students, faculty and staff going abroad.

  The IOC reserves the authority to impose additional requirements before approving a request to travel abroad (e.g., health or disciplinary clearances, restricted travel to specified areas of concern). Without strict guidelines, UT Austin cannot protect the safety of its students, faculty and staff. Strict adherence to the policy is our way of keeping our community safe.

  The university will not support travel that takes place without adhering to the requirements of the Travel Policy. To receive credit for coursework taken or research conducted (including thesis or dissertation research) in a Restricted Region, UT Austin students must obtain IOC approval prior to travel. Violators may be denied credit or face non-academic sanctions.

  All students (undergraduate and graduate) who violate the travel policy will be referred to the Dean of Students/Student Conduct and Academic Integrity for disciplinary action. Your Department/Dean will also be notified. Any reimbursement from the university for unapproved travel is strictly prohibited. For graduate students applying for graduation who have traveled to a Restricted Region without approval, your graduation timeline may be impacted.

  UT Austin undergraduate and graduate students traveling internationally must abide by UT Austin’s Travel Policy, with or without university funding. This applies to all students, traveling individually or with a group, who are participating in any university sponsored, university administered or university related activity or program.

  This includes but is not limited to:

  • approved education abroad programs
  • research
  • internships
  • field studies
  • service learning
  • conferences and workshops
  • competitions of any nature
  • volunteer, experiential, or work programs sponsored, endorsed, promoted or administered by UT Austin
  • recognized student organization trips abroad
  • class field trips

  UT Austin employees traveling internationally, with or without university funding, to conduct university business as a faculty or staff member, must abide by UT Austin’s travel policy.

  This includes but is not limited to:

  • research 
  • fieldwork
  • conferences or workshops
  • teaching endeavors
• Student International Travel Policy

  Any student traveling internationally for a university-related purpose, regardless of credit or funding, must comply with the UT Austin International Travel Process. For more information about policies governing student international travel, visit the General Information Catalog (Appendix N).

  The types of activities and events covered by this policy include:

  • trips organized and/or sponsored by The University of Texas at Austin that are part of or contribute to an academic course or degree program including internships, practicum, and research;
  • academic-related international service learning, internships, practicum, research, and volunteer opportunities organized and/or sponsored by the University of Texas at Austin;
  • travel by members of a registered student organization regardless of whether or not the organization requires its student members to attend the activity or event;
  • other trips organized and/or sponsored by The University of Texas at Austin including the activities of sponsored student organizations;
  • travel to meetings of academic-related, professional associations including conferences.

  All international student travel covered by the Student International Travel Policy includes mandatory enrollment in emergency assistance and overseas insurance coverage through On Call International.

  Important Note: Students participating in official Education Abroad Programs and Social Work Field Placement opportunities should complete an application to study abroad.

• UTS 190 International Travel Policy

  The University of Texas at Austin uses the UTS 190 International Travel Policy as framework for our institutional oversight that promotes the health, safety and security of UT Austin travelers and initiatives abroad. This replaces the 2010, 2011, and 2014 Chancellor's directives relating to international travel health, safety and security.

• Handbook of Operating Procedures 3-1211: International Travel

  All UT Austin students and employees must comply with policies outlined in the Handbook of Operating Procedures 3-1211: International Travel.