Student International Travel

The steps in this process are only for students who are NOT traveling as part of an official Education Abroad Program or Social Work Field Placement. All other student travel to international locations is subject to the Student International Travel Policy.

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. The RTA process is administered at the department level.

Before proceeding, 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.

Note - Please see the Travel Registration FAQs for commonly asked questions.

Student International Travel Process

  1. Request Restricted Regions Travel Approval

    Individual Students

    Check whether the country you are traveling to is on the UT Austin Restricted Regions list. If so, apply for and obtain travel approval from the International Oversight Committee. If your destination does not appear on the Restricted Regions list, proceed to Step 2.

    Group Leaders

    If you will be leading a group of students abroad, you are required to first obtain approval from Texas Global Risk and Safety AND complete the mandatory Safety Assessment for International Group Experiences (SAIGE) process. All travel to locations designated as Restricted Regions requires approval by the International Oversight Committee.

    Visit the UT Austin Group International Travel Approval Process page for more information.

  2. Register Your Travel

    As outlined in the University of Texas at Austin International Travel Process, all University of Texas international travelers (not participating in approved Education Abroad programs) must register their trips in the UT Austin International Travel Registry (ITR). 

    After completing your travel registration, create a confirmation receipt and email it to Global Risk and Safety at grs@austin.utexas.edu. In the file name, include your first name, last name, and EID (example: “Jon Smith JS1234 ITR”). 

  3. Review Information About Insurance Coverage While Abroad

    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 page.

    Students will be charged for each semester of Overseas Insurance coverage individually. This means that a student studying/researching abroad for continuous academic periods will see a separate charge for each academic period on their What I Owe page.

    Students who are traveling to their country of citizenship may be exempted from paying the Overseas Insurance fee. To be exempted, you will need to submit documentation of your citizenship (i.e., copy of your valid passport) and a formal request for an exception.

    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.

  4. Review Health and Safety Information for Your Destination

    Review information from resources like the U.S. Department of State and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the health and safety resources that Global Risk and Safety has developed, including:

  5. Register your trip in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

    Registering in the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) through the U.S. Department of State will inform the U.S. Embassy you are in-country and allow them to email you critical alerts and travel/security advice while abroad. 

    Non-U.S. citizens can register their trip in their home country’s equivalent of STEP.

  6. Complete Mandatory Export Control Documentation

    If you are traveling abroad with any equipment owned by UT Austin, you must complete the TMP License Exemption form and carry a copy with you while traveling. Please note: this form does not require approval by UT Austin; it is self-effectuating upon your completion and signature of the document.

    All university employees (including graduate student employees) traveling on official university business to a country of concern (China, including Hong Kong and Macau, Russia, Iran, or North Korea) are required to utilize a university provided loaner laptop while on official travel. For additional information please contact the Office of Research Support and Compliance via sas@austin.utexas.edu.

Travel Registration FAQs

What is the UT Austin International Travel Registry (ITR)?

The UT Austin International Travel Registry (ITR) is the system for registering international travel for students who have not completed any action within the Education Abroad (MyAbroad) Portal, which typically means the travel or research falls outside of a traditional study abroad program. The ITR is used to locate travelers in the event of an emergency. This registry automatically enrolls travelers in the mandatory Overseas Insurance and emergency assistance coverage through On Call International.

I'm traveling for personal reasons. Do I still need to register?

Personal travel should not be registered in the ITR. The ITR is reserved for international travel conducted for university business purposes (e.g., study, research, internship, field work).

I am traveling to my home country. How do I get exempted from UT’s overseas insurance?

If you are a citizen of the country to which you will be traveling and you wish to opt out of enrollment in overseas insurance, you will need to submit documentation of your citizenship (i.e., copy of your valid passport) and a formal request for an exception.

What happens if my travel plans change?

If your travel plans change, please email the Global Risk and Safety team with updated details and we will update your travel record on your behalf.