Travel Restrictions
UC International has restrictions on travel for minor student travelers and students traveling to countries over the US Department of State Level 2.
Country Restrictions
The US Department of State has a Travel Advisory system which gives each country an overall rating from 1 to 4. And while the US Department of State may issue an overall Travel Advisory level for a country, levels of advice may vary for specific locations or areas within a country.
Travel Advisories at Levels 2 - 4 contain clear reasons for the level assigned, using established risk indicators and specific advice to U.S. citizens who choose to travel there.
UC has updated the Student Travel Policy to clearly define the guidelines and expectations that students, faculty and staff must follow while on university-sanctioned or funded travel.
| Travel Advisory Level | Level Definition | UC's Policy on Student Travel |
| Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (blue) | This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk. There is some risk in any international travel. | UC students are permitted to travel to these locations for university-sanctioned or funded travel and advised to educate themselves on the risks and risk mitigation. |
| Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (yellow) | Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. See additional advice for travelers in these areas. | UC students are permitted to travel to these locations for university-sanctioned or funded travel and advised to educate themselves on the risks and risk mitigation. |
| Level 3: Reconsider Travel (orange) | Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security. See additional advice for travelers in these areas. | It is not recommended that UC students travel to these locations for university-sanctioned or funded travel. UC students interested in traveling to these locations must request an exemption by appeal to the International Travel Oversight Committee (ITOC). Decisions of the ITOC are final. |
| Level 4: Do Not Travel (red) | This is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. During an emergency, the US government may have very limited ability to provide assistance. US citizens are advised not travel to the country or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so. | UC students are not permitted to travel to these locations for university-sanctioned or funded travel. Appeals will not be considered for such travel. |
Travel exemptions
It is not recommended that UC students travel to Level 3 locations due to serious security and safety risks. UC students wishing to travel to these locations can submit an exemption by appeal to the International Travel Oversight Committee (ITOC) with a serious understanding of the risks and a plan to mitigate those risks abroad.
- ITOC approvals for undergraduate travel to Level 3 destinations will be made with caution and in rare occasions. This includes non-credit experiences for undergraduate students and study abroad or co-op (when an alternate location is available that does not present significant risk).
- ITOC is open to considering graduate student (including medical, law and PhD students) travel to a Level 3 location when it involves unique research or presentation opportunities when vetted and endorsed by the home college (and IRB approval, if appropriate).
- UC faculty-led study abroad programs will be considered on a case by case basis. The faculty leaders will be required to demonstrate a mitigation of safety concerns and the lack of alternative location to ITOC. Such experiences require the support by the home College.
The travel exemption form is designed to be printed out, signed by multiple people, scanned and returned. If you have accessibility concerns, please contact our office for assistance.