International Travel
International Travel
Consistent with UNC System guidance, University-related international travel requires prior approval. Prospective travelers should familiarize themselves with conditions in destination countries:
- U.S. State Department – Travel Advisories: Travel Advisories (state.gov)
- CDC Travel Health Notices: Travel Health Notices | Travelers’ Health | CDC
- CDC COVID-19 information: International Travel during COVID-19
Request Approval for University-Affiliated International Travel
1. Download and complete the International Travel Approval form.
2. Obtain your Dean’s signature on the International Travel Approval form.
3. Upload the approved International Travel Approval form into Concur.
ALL APPROVED INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL FORMS SHOULD BE UPLOADED INTO CONCUR.
On September 8, 2022, the Provost delegated authority to Deans to approve international travel to Level 1 and Level 2 countries as determined by the U.S. State Department.
If you are traveling to a Level 1 or Level 2 country and your Dean has approved, YOUR TRAVEL IS APPROVED. You are now ready to upload your form into Concur and proceed with your travel planning.
If you are traveling to a Level 3 or Level 4 country and your Dean has approved, your request will be reviewed in Concur by the OVPGA. Once you see an approval in Concur, your travel is approved.
UNC Global will need up to 10 days to review Level 3 and Level 4 requests. If you are experiencing a longer delay, please email Jill Wilhelm at jill.wilhelm@unc.edu.
1. Submit requests through Rapid Admin Service Request (RASR).
On the Graduate School tab, select “Graduate Student Request for Travel Restriction Exception.”
For RASR access issues, contact Julie Montaigne at julie_montaigne@unc.edu. Applicants can follow the approval process in the RASR system under “My RASR Form Submissions.”
2. Approval
Have your advisor complete the Advisor Approval Form.
Exceptions for University-affiliated international travel must be approved by the traveler’s 1) department chair or director of graduate studies; and 2) appropriate senior administrator (school dean or associate dean). By approving the request, the dean or dean’s designee has determined that the articulated benefits to the University outweigh the risks associated with the travel. Deans or designees should review the updated international travel guidance from September 8, 2022.
If you are an approver for this process, please visit The Graduate School website for more information.
UNC Global will need up to 14 days to review Level 3 and Level 4 requests. If you are experiencing a longer delay, please email Kim Priebe at kim.priebe@unc.edu.
1. Download and complete the International Travel Approval form.
2. Obtain designated approver signature on the International Travel Approval form.
• Designated approver for SOM faculty, staff and postdocs is either your Division Chief, Department Chair, or Dean
• Designated approver for SOM center staff and postdocs, who are not appointed within a SOM Department, is Dr. Jennifer Wu, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs
3. Upload the approved International Travel Approval form into Concur.
On September 9, 2022, the Provost delegated authority for SOM faculty/staff travel to Department Chairs to approve international travel to Level 1 and Level 2 countries as determined by the U.S. State Department.
On March 11, 2023, the Provost further delegated authority for SOM faculty/staff travel to Division Chiefs to approve L1 and L2 travel.
If you are traveling to a Level 1 or Level 2 country and your Division Chief, or Department Chair, or Dean has approved, YOUR TRAVEL IS APPROVED. Upload your form into Concur and proceed with your travel planning.
If you are traveling to a Level 3 or Level 4 country and your Division Chief, or Department Chair, or Dean has approved, your request will be reviewed in Concur by the Office of the Vice Provost for Global Affairs. Once you see an approval in Concur, your travel is approved.
UNC Global will need up to 10 days to review Level 3 and Level 4 requests. If you are experiencing a longer delay, please email Jill Wilhelm at jill.wilhelm@unc.edu.
1. SOM Approval
Complete the International Travel Approval form and obtain approval from the appropriate School of Medicine official.
• Approver for medical students is the Dr. Jennifer Wu, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs.
• Approver for residents and fellows is the Dr. Kerry Thomas, Designated Institutional Official.
By approving the request, the Vice Dean or DIO has determined that the articulated benefits to the University outweigh the risks associated with the travel. Approvers should review the updated international travel guidance from September 8, 2022.
NOTE: School of Medicine Department of Health Sciences students use the Graduate Student Research Travel process above.
2. Submit approved request through Rapid Admin Service Request (RASR).
Travelers must then obtain Provost approval in RASR.
On the UNC Global tab, select “International Travel Approval – School of Medicine.” Complete the online form, upload your signed International Travel Approval form via RASR, sign the release, and submit for review. See video tutorial, if needed.
For RASR access issues, contact Julie Montaigne at julie_montaigne@unc.edu. Travelers can follow the approval process in the RASR system under “My RASR Form Submissions.”
UNC Global will need up to 14 days to review Level 3 and Level 4 requests. If you are experiencing a longer delay, please email Kim Priebe at kim.priebe@unc.edu.
UNC-Chapel Hill is successfully administering study abroad programs through the Study Abroad Office and Kenan-Flagler Business School.
Students participating in a UNC study abroad program do not need to submit an individual request for a travel exception. For study abroad, approval is sought and granted for the program, and all student participants in the program are covered.
Faculty and staff traveling with students on an approved study abroad trip must submit the International Travel Approval form and have their travel approved in Concur, as outlined in the Faculty, Staff, Post-Doc travel section above. All faculty and staff leading study abroad programs are also required to complete an online health & safety training prior to departure.
Effective February 21, 2023, undergraduate international travel outside a study abroad program has resumed through a new, centralized process administered by the College of Arts and Sciences (for all undergraduate students regardless of school or college).
Undergraduate students may initiate a request for approval of their independent education abroad activities through the HeelsAbroad portal administered by the Study Abroad Office: https://go.unc.edu/independent-edabroad. A complete request for approval must be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the student’s departure date.
All travel will be reviewed for academic merit and risk and must be approved by the provost before any funding may be released or travel proceeds. Travel will only be approved to countries with a U.S. Department of State Level 1 or 2 Travel Advisory. Level 3 countries will generally not be approved except under exceptional circumstances.
Contact Jason Kinnear, Associate Dean for Study Abroad and Exchanges (jason.kinnear@unc.edu) if you have questions.
At this time, no exception process exists for other categories of travel. Please email Jill Wilhelm at jill.wilhelm@unc.edu.
Important Notes for University-Affiliated International Travel
- Deans and other designated officials weighing whether the benefits to UNC-Chapel Hill of the proposed travel outweigh the risks should review international travel guidance. (updated Sept. 8, 2022)
- After approval and prior to travel, please obtain the required GeoBlue insurance. A copy of your International Travel Approval form will be needed. Please contact Janet Hoernke, insurance and risk manager, at +1.919.962.6681 or janet_hoernke@unc.edu.
International Health and Evacuation Insurance
Students, faculty, and staff are required to have international health insurance coverage when traveling abroad on University-affiliated business. Affiliates granted an exemption to current travel restrictions can visit our page on travel insurance for full details.
For any questions, please contact Janet Hoernke in Risk Management Services and Mission Continuity at +1.919.962.6681 or janet_hoernke@unc.edu.
Special Insurance Guidance for Students Returning from Overseas Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
Students who were enrolled in Blue Cross Blue Shield GeoBlue travel health insurance are eligible to enroll in the U.S.-based StudentBlue plan. Loss of GeoBlue is considered a qualifying life event to obtain Student Blue. Coverage is retroactive to the date after the loss of GeoBlue and will be activated once prorated premium payment is made.
Student Blue does cover coronavirus testing at 100% and does not require prior approval. However, doctor visits to screen for COVID-19 will be covered the same as any other doctor visit, subject to the applicable copay, deductible or coinsurance. Student Blue members will also have access to telehealth services through MClive. To begin your application, contact Vicki Warwick, vwarwick@email.unc.edu, and include your name, PID, date of birth and date that you are canceling GeoBlue.
UNC-Chapel Hill Travel Policies
Currently, the restrictions and special procedures regarding University-affiliated travel as described above supersede the provisions outlined in the legacy Policy Concerning Global Study, Travel and Research.
This policy was created to ensure compliance with state and University regulations; establish guidelines for approval, control and accounting for employees and others who travel on University business; and ensure fairness for both the traveler and the University.
Additionally, UNC Finance & Operations provides information about using the web travel system, travel authorizations, travel reimbursements, airfare requests, the business travel card program and related forms on the Travel Services website.
If you are traveling outside the country, sending items overseas, inviting a visiting scholar to your lab on campus, or related activities, then export control regulations likely apply. Export controls are federal laws that govern the transfer of items, materials, equipment, commodities, biologics, software, encryption, and/or technical information to foreign nationals, wherever located. Many University activities fall under these very comprehensive regulations, and violations of these laws carry both individual liability and significant penalties.
The UNC-Chapel Hill Export Compliance Office is here to help UNC faculty, staff, students, and other personnel navigate through U.S. export controls. The Export Compliance Office is committed to supporting the University’s global mission, as well as our extraordinary foreign national population on campus. Please contact exportcontrol@unc.edu with questions or for help with your international engagements.
Emergency Communications
Carolina faculty, staff and students who experience an emergency while traveling abroad on University business should contact UNC Police at +1.919.962.8100.
UNC Police is first in the chain of response. Students should ask UNC Police to contact the dean of students on call to find the appropriate resources for assistance. UNC Police will assist faculty and staff with identifying a human resources administrator or Employee Assistance Program officer who can help coordinate support.
For emergency evacuation and other 24/7 health insurance assistance, call GeoBlue collect from outside the U.S. at +1.610.254.8771, toll free within the U.S. at +1.844.268.2686, or via email at globalhealth@geo-blue.com. In an emergency, seek appropriate medical care immediately, and then call GeoBlue. Insurance coverage must be purchased in advance of travel.