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International Travel

Request for Essential International Travel

Overview

UNO follows travel policy based on Executive Memorandum No. 25. This policy is a University of Nebraska system-wide policy that affects student, staff, and faculty travel. The policy governs international travel to countries based on their US Department of State Travel Advisory level, and/or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Travel Health Notice levels.

As of July 1, 2021, pre-trip approval is required for all international travel and such travel is limited to essential university-related business. Until further notice, all travelers must present a compelling rationale to travel to international destinations classified as either:

  • A Centers for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-specific Travel Health Notice (THN) Level 3, 4, or Level Unknown
  • A U.S Department of State (DOS) Travel Advisory Level 3 or 4
  • If both State Department and CDC Advisories are below level 3, the traveler will submit the abbreviated 'Travel Health Plan'

The following steps have been developed to assess travel to high-risk destinations.

Pre-approval Considerations

  • The traveler checks CDC website for current COVID guidance as it relates to their health and vaccination status
  • The traveler checks CDC and State Department websites for destinations-specific information including Advisory levels and Travel Health Notices
  • If State Department Advisory is level 3 or above, the traveler will need to submit a 'Request for Essential International Travel'
  • If CDC Travel Health Notice is level 3 or above for either COVID or non-COVID health related issues, the traveler will need to submit a 'Request for Essential International Travel'
  • If both State Department and CDC Advisories are below level 3, the traveler will submit the abbreviated 'Travel Health Plan'
  • The traveler should also review and be prepared to comply with entry and exit requirements for the airlines, their proposed destination, and reentry into the US. Entry and exit requirements are subject to change at any time.

Approval Process

If State Department and CDC Advisories are level 3 or above, the traveler should consider the essential nature of their travel. If travel is deemed essential, and the traveler can meet the CDC Travel Health recommendations and State Department Advisory recommendations, then employee travelers should proceed with the proper approval process with their supervisor and/or college-level travel approver, and student travelers should proceed with the Education Abroad office. Both employee and student travelers will need to submit the 'Request for Essential International Travel' or the 'Travel Health Plan' based on their intended destinations CDC and USDOS advisories.

For UNO Employees:

  • University employees will begin the Concur approval process and routing
  • After supervisor and/or college-level approval, the employee should complete the 'Request for Essential International Travel' or 'Travel Health Plan' 90 days in advance of their requested departure date

For UNO Students:

  • UNO Students will apply for a study abroad program in Via TRM
  • After their application is accepted, students should complete the 'Request for Essential International Travel' or the 'Travel Health Plan' and may consult Education Abroad for assistance

For All UNO Travelers:

  • International Programs will appoint an international travel risk committee that will review the request. The international travel risk committee will consider the essential nature of the travel, the ability of the traveler to mitigate risk as described in the proposal, and a variety of sources to assess the health and safety status of the proposed destination.
  • The committee will communicate a decision to the traveler. If travel has been approved, the traveler may proceed with bookings.
  • If a destination’s health or safety status deteriorates at any point, the travel approval status may change
  • Travelers should keep in mind that they are requesting a waiver of Executive Memorandum 25, and that submitting the request does not guarantee their plans will be approved by the university. Travelers should not make any non-refundable deposits or payments towards their travel plans until they have received a confirmation or rejection of their 'Request for Essential International Travel' or 'Travel Health Plan'.

Travelers who wish to undertake university sponsored international travel must complete this petition questionnaire prior to travel. The goal of this enhanced procedure is to promote decisions and practices that can mitigate the traveler’s exposure to COVID-19, as well as other health and safety concerns.

  • No employee or student is required to travel abroad at this time; any participation in travel during the pandemic is strictly voluntary and the traveler assumes responsibility for travel during this trip.
  • The traveler understands that the university may be limited in its ability to provide assistance and resources in the event of a crisis, including the possibility of being stuck in the host country due to newly imposed travel restrictions or a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.
  • The university retains the right to withdraw approval and/or require the traveler to leave a high- risk location at any time.
Submission Timeline

This petition should be completed and submitted 90 days before preferred travel dates to allow for proposal review by committee and travel and logistics planning. Proposals submitted less than 90 days before the proposed departure date may not allow for ample review and planning time, if approved. Once the petition has been approved, the process of purchasing airline tickets and other travel arrangements for employees should be completed using CONCUR.

REQUEST FOR ESSENTIAL INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

LINK TO 'TRAVEL HEALTH PLAN' COMING SOON