Travel Policies

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign places a high priority on the health, safety, and security of students, faculty, and staff when traveling internationally for university-related reasons. International Safety and Security works closely with the Office of Risk Management and Office of University Counsel to coordinate the review and revision of international travel policies for health, safety, and security.

The International Travel Safety Policy establishes the baseline for the Illinois Campus policy on travel abroad for students, faculty, and staff. It includes directives regarding registration, insurance, orientations, national and international laws, and programmatic reviews. View and download the full International Travel Safety Policy.

The Policy on Health and Safety in Education Abroad establishes the general requirements supporting student health and safety during education abroad. Policy areas include mandatory insurance, student and faculty orientations, information tracking, and student health. While focused on education abroad, this policy has relevant information for other university travelers as well.

The Policy on International Travel establishes the criteria and process for university-related travel to countries previously with a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning or now a Travel Advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or Level 4 (Avoid Travel) designation. It also establishes criteria regarding other travel locations or activities considered to be high risk.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Student Code and Campus Integrity Statement still applies while participating in university-related travel abroad. The Student Code governs both behavior and academics:

  • Behavior. Most violations of the Student Code for behavior correspond to Article 1, Part 3, §1-302 through §1-310. These sections address rules of conduct, use of drugs and alcohol, possession of weapons, and other behaviors.
  • Academic. Academic misconduct is addressed in Article 1, Part 4, §1-402 and includes cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, and other actions.

The Export Control Policy establishes the criteria and process for university-related travel to comply with Federal export controls. For more information, please visit the University of Illinois Export Control website. In addition, individuals should review the university’s information on managing foreign influence.

The Guidelines for Individuals Accompanying Study Abroad Programs establishes requirements for non-university individuals to accompanying education abroad programs.

International Safety and Security adheres to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (commonly referred to as FERPA), "a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records" (U.S. Department of Education). The university has established guidelines for the implementation of this law, which are contained in Section X-6 of the Campus Administrative Manual and the Illinois Student Code.

How the Policies Above Apply to You

The chart below describes how the above travel policies apply to students, faculty and staff, and Registered Student Organizations (RSOs).

Policy Faculty & Staff Students RSOs
Enroll in university-approved international insurance.
  • Required if traveling with students.
  • Required for high-risk destinations.
  • Highly encouraged for non-high-risk destinations.
  • Required.
  • Required.
Enrollment in the Illini Abroad Network.
  • Highly encouraged.
  • Required.*
  • Required.*
Registration in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
  • Required for high-risk destinations.
  • Required if traveling with students.
  • Highly encouraged for all other travel.
  • Required.
  • Required.
Approval of Travel to High-Risk Destinations.
  • Approval required for Level 4
  • Review required for Level 3.
  • Approval required.
  • Approval required.
Export Control requirements apply to specific information or technology exported or travel to any of seven countries.
  • Required.
  • Required.
  • Required.

* Student and RSO enrollment in the Illini Abroad Network is accomplished by registering for international insurance.