Request for Higher Risk International Travel
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.
For higher risk destinations defined below, travelers must complete a Travel Warning Waiver request:
- 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
The following steps have been developed to assess travel to high-risk destinations.
For UNO Employees
- University employees will begin the Concur approval process and routing.
- Following supervisor and financial approvals, International Programs (INPR) will conduct an initial risk assessment and will inform the traveler if their destination is considered higher risk.
- Informed travelers submit an online travel petition to be reviewed by the UNO International Travel Review Committee.
- After review, INPR will forward the petition to the Chancellor's Office with a "recommended" or "not recommended" classification.
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
- 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.
For UNO Students
- Students notify Education Abroad of their intent to travel and will apply through Via TRM.
- After their application is accepted, International Programs (INPR) will conduct an initial risk assessment and will inform the traveler if their destination is considered higher risk.
- Informed travelers submit an online travel petition to be reviewed by the UNO International Travel Review Committee.
- After review, INPR will forward the petition to the Chancellor's Office with a "recommended" or "not recommended" classification.
- Chancellor approves or denies the petition. Students will receive a final notification through Education Abroad.
For All UNO Travelers
- For travel that falls under Executive Memorandum 25, 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 Travel Warning Waiver request.
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 health and safety concerns.
- Participation in travel is 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 delayed in the host country due to 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 well in advance before preferred travel dates to allow for proposal review by committee and travel and logistics planning. Proposals submitted on short notice 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.