International Travel
Overview
International travel supports research, education, professional development, and global engagement. Faculty, staff, and students may travel internationally to conduct research, collaborate with colleagues, perform field work, attend conferences, participate in meetings, teach, recruit students, or engage in other University activities.
While most international travel proceeds without significant restrictions, certain activities may involve research security-related requirements, including export controls, sponsor requirements, research information protection, cybersecurity, disclosure obligations, sanctions, or other institutional requirements.
The Office of Research Security (ORS) assists faculty, staff, and students in identifying applicable research security-related requirements before international travel begins.
International travel submitted through the University's travel management process is reviewed by ORS to identify research security-related considerations. Most travel does not require additional action by the traveler. When additional information, review, or action is required, ORS will contact the traveler.
Travelers are encouraged to contact ORS early when proposed travel involves research activities, research equipment or information, international collaborators or organizations, federally sponsored research, sanctioned destinations, or other circumstances that may require additional review before departure.
For travel registration, insurance, health and safety information, and other travel logistics, visit the University's International Travel Guidance website.
REQUEST AN INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL REVIEW
Contact ORS Before You
Although ORS reviews international travel submitted through the University's travel management process, contact ORS early if you plan to:
- Conduct research or field work outside the United States.
- Travel with research equipment, software, technology, technical information, biological materials, or other research assets.
- Travel to a sanctioned or embargoed country.
- Conduct research with international collaborators or foreign organizations while traveling.
- Present unpublished or sponsor-restricted research information.
- Participate in federally sponsored research involving international travel.
- Visit a foreign military or defense organization, government laboratory supporting defense activities, or other organization that may require additional research security review.
- Are uncertain whether research security-related requirements apply to your proposed travel.
University International Travel Process
Faculty, staff, and students traveling internationally on University business should follow the University's international travel procedures, including submitting travel through the University's travel management system, as applicable.
International travel submitted through the University's travel management process is reviewed by ORS to identify research security-related considerations. Most travel does not require additional action by the traveler. When additional information, review, or action is required, ORS will contact the traveler.
Researchers should begin planning international travel early, particularly when travel involves research activities or field work, federally sponsored research, international collaborators or organizations, research equipment or materials, sanctioned destinations, or other circumstances that may require additional review before departure.
Key Considerations
International travel may involve research security considerations depending on the
destination, purpose of travel, participating organizations, sponsor requirements,
and research activities. Researchers should consider: Early consultation helps identify applicable requirements before travel begins. International travel may involve the export of equipment, software, technology, technical
information, or research materials. Researchers should consider: Most commercially available electronic devices may be taken to many destinations under
applicable export control provisions. However, travel involving sanctioned countries,
export-controlled technology, specialized equipment, or proprietary software may require
additional review before departure.
International travel may increase the risk of unauthorized access to research information, electronic devices, and University systems.
Researchers should consider:
- Limiting devices and research information to only what is necessary.
- Protecting research information stored on laptops, phones, tablets, and removable media.
- Using secure networks and University-approved security tools.
- Avoiding unnecessary storage of confidential, proprietary, export-controlled, or unpublished research information.
- Following University requirements for international travel with electronic devices.
Researchers should also follow University information security guidance for protecting
electronic devices and research information while traveling internationally.
Researchers traveling to higher-risk destinations should consult ORS before departure
to determine whether additional safeguards or alternative equipment should be used.
International travel associated with sponsored research may involve sponsor-specific requirements.
Researchers should consider:
- Sponsor approval requirements.
- International research locations.
- Foreign Components or other international research activities, when applicable.
- Budget and award restrictions.
- Disclosure obligations.
- Other sponsor-specific research security requirements.
Investigators should consult the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), Office of Grants Management (OGM), and ORS, as appropriate, before traveling on sponsored research.
Certain destinations are subject to U.S. sanctions programs or other restrictions that may affect research activities, travel, shipments, financial transactions, or collaborations.
Researchers should consult ORS before:
- Traveling to a sanctioned or embargoed country.
- Conducting research activities in sanctioned jurisdictions.
- Engaging with organizations or individuals that may require Restricted Entity Screening.
- Providing research-related services while abroad.
Early review helps identify whether export licenses, OFAC authorizations, or other government approvals may be required.
Related Guidance
| Related Guidance | Description |
|---|---|
| International Collaborations | Guidance for planning, establishing, conducting, and managing research collaborations with international researchers, institutions, companies, and organizations. |
| Conferences, Professional Activities & External Appointments | Guidance for participating in conferences, meetings, seminars, workshops, professional societies, external appointments, teaching, lectures, and other scholarly activities involving international organizations or conducted outside the United States. |
| International Transfers (Shipments, Hand-Carry & Electronic Transmissions) | Guidance for shipping, mailing, hand-carrying, or electronically transferring research equipment, materials, software, technology, technical information, or research information internationally. |
| International Travel Loaner Laptop Program | Guidance for requesting and using a University-approved loaner laptop for international travel. |
| Export Control Classification | Learn how equipment, materials, software, technology, and technical information are classified under U.S. export control regulations. |
| Sanctioned & Embargoed Countries | Guidance for understanding U.S. sanctions programs and conducting research activities involving sanctioned destinations. |
| Countries of Concern | Countries that may require additional review because of federal sponsor, research security, export control, or institutional requirements. |
| Restricted Entity Screening | Learn how organizations and individuals are screened against U.S. government restricted party and entity lists before certain research activities. |