New Travel Guidelines in response to COVID-19
The university has implemented new travel guidelines including:
- Effective May 1, 2020: UT domestic and international travel restrictions have been extended to June 30, whether paid for by UT sources or external sponsors. A decision will be made by June 15 about travel starting after July 1. International travel will follow the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), International SOS (ISOS) and U.S. Department of State (USDOS) for dates later than July 1.
- Limited exceptions may be possible for faculty, staff, and graduate students for important domestic and international university-related business travel.
- Domestic travel exception requests must be approved by the relevant dean or vice president prior to the submission of an RTA.
- International travel will not be permitted at this time (unless related to COVID-19 research), due to closed entry to/exit from numerous countries, restricted flight options, quarantine requirements, strained health systems, and the potential outbreak of civil unrest.
- UT-sponsored undergraduate student travel is prohibited UT will not permit reimbursements from any source for deposits, down-payments, change fees, or non-reimbursable airfares booked after March 26 for travel at any future time if the travel has not followed protocol.
- Faculty, staff and graduate students who are seeking approval to travel abroad for COVID-19-related research will follow guidance to request restricted region travel approval or contact Global Risk & Safety in Texas Global for assistance.
- Limited exceptions may be possible for faculty, staff, and graduate students for important domestic and international university-related business travel.
- Effective March 27, 2020: All visiting delegations to UT Austin have been canceled through July 1, with the possibility that this date could be extended, per CDC, ISOS and USDOS guidelines.
All student travel to international locations is subject to the Student Travel Policy to International Locations. Please note that this travel policy is separate from the Request for Travel Authorization (RTA) process. Students who are expecting to receive reimbursement from their department for their travel expenses should complete an RTA in addition to the forms required by Texas Global.
Before you proceed, please note that students traveling to a UT-Restricted Region must follow the Restricted Regions Travel Authorization Process for approval. Registration and insurance requirements still apply.
The steps in this process are only for students not traveling to a restricted region and not part of an official Education Abroad Programs or Social Work Field Placements opportunities.
Individual Students
Complete the International Travel Request Authorization Form (ITRAF - Individual).
Group Leaders
Faculty leaders requesting travel authorization on behalf of a student group must complete the International Travel Request Authorization Form (ITRAF - Group)
As part of the ITRAF, you must obtain signatures from your Department Chair. You must also confirm that you have registered your travel information online through the UT International Travel Registry.
Make sure to include your destination(s), UT EID and travel dates in the subject line of your email. For example, "Travel to France, ut1234, 8/30/16-9/12/16." For attachments, make sure your full name and EID are in the title of the attachment. For example, "Joe Smith, js123, ITRAF."
You can submit all documents via email to grs@austin.utexas.edu, drop off your documents at Texas Global or mail them to the address provided in the ITRAF.
All UT students traveling internationally are automatically enrolled in UT Overseas Insurance coverage and required to pay the associated fee of $19 per week). These charges are not included in student tuition and will appear on a student's What I Owe webpage.
Students will be charged for each semester of overseas insurance coverage individually. This means that if a student is studying/researching abroad for continuous academic periods, the student will see a separate charge for each academic period on his/her What I Owe page.
You must obtain authorization before you leave. Authorization will be sent to you via email. The estimated processing time for authorization is four to seven days so make sure to plan ahead to avoid any interruptions in your itinerary.
International Students Traveling Abroad
To determine whether or not you are eligible for a waiver of the UT Domestic (U.S.) student insurance fees while you are abroad, review the guidelines to find your eligibility category and deadline.
For specific questions about insurance, your quickest source for an answer is available at Ask Us.
