International Travelers

The UAB-Related International Travel Policy defines International Travel as “…travel outside of the United States and the District of Columbia.” The U.S. Territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands, are considered to be International Travel locations, and not domestic locations for the purposes of this policy.

UAB-Related International Travel Policy

All UAB-related international travel plans must be submitted, reviewed and approved in advance by submitting the International Travel Request (ITR) form.

Click here to submit your International Travel Registration (ITR) form.

Depending on the travel destination(s) and purpose, multiple approvals from various offices may be required. These include but are not limited to: departmental approval, dean’s office, Provost, Research Safety and Security, etc. Complete and submit the ITR with enough time in advance of the travel to ensure reviews are completed prior to travel. Once electronically submitted, the ITR is routed automatically to the required offices for review and approval.

For instructions on locating your fully-approved ITR click here.

As one of the required unit reviews, the Office of Research Safety and Security provides pre-trip risk analysis. This process facilitates international travel risk reviews and is intended to enhance the traveler’s awareness of potential health, safety, and security travel risks (including export control).

When traveling internationally, relevant export control laws and regulations may affect your travel preparation and overall travel experience. Sharing and transferring sensitive information or carrying sensitive items with you abroad without a required export license or federal license exception can have serious consequences for you and UAB.

1. Generally, travel to foreign destinations is not problematic, except when travelling to certain sanctioned and embargoed countries, which may be prohibited.


2. The U.S. Department of State designates Countries of Particular Concern. While travel to these countries is not prohibited, there may be specific travel restrictions associated with these destinations. Travel to these countries will typically require participation in the UAB-IT International Travel Laptop Program in order to secure access to UAB data.


3. Travel to countries with High Risk Travel Advisories warrant a heightened level of review. Our international travel risk evaluation procedures incorporate risk advisories and recommendations developed by the U.S. Department of State (DOS), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the International SOS (ISOS) health and security risk management resource.
   
   Your destination is determined to be high-risk if any of the following travel advisories reach the levels below:
   • United States Department of State travel advisory is Level 4
   • CDC COVID-19 travel recommendation is Level 4
   • International SOS (ISOS) travel risk advisories are labeled as:
     1. Medical risk levels of Extreme
     2. Security risk levels of High or Extreme
     
     If the threshold is met, the International Travel Risk Management Committee (ITRMC) will conduct a heightened review, and the traveler will be notified of the Committee’s determination.


4. Personal items or equipment (including, but not limited to, laptops, web-enabled cell phones, and some GPS Units) may require an export license or other governmental approval prior to travelling based on sensitive technology components. You cannot carry and share any sensitive or controlled data or company proprietary materials or information. Unpublished research data or information, regardless of the format, may require an export license or other governmental approval.
   
   All controlled or restricted data or information should be completely removed from laptops, phones, PDAs, or other portable storage devices (e.g., flash drives) before leaving the U.S.

To promote the safety and security of UAB employees and students traveling internationally on UAB business, a review process was developed to evaluate associated risks and provide available resources should an emergency occur while traveling abroad.

The International SOS (ISOS) Program was established by the University of Alabama System to assist travelers in times of unexpected circumstances. Benefits can include medical expenses, evacuation expenses, and general advice and consultation.

• Visit the website and/or see the brochure for details on the program.
• Download ISOS Assistance App.
• Download ISOS Membership Card.