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UAB encourages the international collaboration of its faculty, staff, and students to promote and strengthen the UAB Mission.

  • UAB International Travel Policy

    UAB International Travel Policy

    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
  • UAB International Travel Procedure

    UAB International Travel Procedure

    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.
  • Office of Research Safety and Security ITR Review

    Office of Research Safety and Security ITR Review

    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.
  • Special Travel Considerations

    Special Travel Considerations

    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.
  • International SOS (ISOS) Program

    International SOS (ISOS) Program

    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.
  • Before You Travel, Also Complete the Following

    Before You Travel, Also Complete the Following


BEST PRACTICES

Emergency Contact Include name, phone number, and relationship on ITR
Items to Take With You U.S. Embassy contact information

Know the contact information of the U.S. Embassy and/or Consulate nearest to you during your travels (see the United States Department of State website for a listing by country)
Presentations Your presentations should be limited to published information, data that is publicly available, or fundamental research. Data or information that is proprietary from sponsors, unpublished, or export-restricted should not be discussed.
Collaborations If collaborations involve fundamental research, then information and results can be shared. Note that the fundamental research exclusion does not cover tangible items.
Fieldwork Most commercial items/equipment are exempt from export license requirements, but an assessment should be done prior to travelling. Scientific equipment should be reviewed.
Provision of Payment/Services Under OFAC regulations, the institution cannot provide financial assistance (payments) to anyone on a blocked or sanctioned list. Some consulting activities would require an export license.
Do Not Take
  • Items of high value
  • Unnecessary electronic devices (See the IT Guidelines)
  • Confidential, export-controlled or proprietary data
  • Remove sensitive data from computers
While traveling internationally
  • Do not attempt to access export-controlled data remotely
  • DO NOT publish travel plans on social media


The Office of Research Safety & Security
ResearchSecurity@uab.edu