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Global Engagement Office

High-Risk International Travel

The 勛圖厙 is committed to supporting safe and responsible international travel while recognizing that certain destinations may present elevated health, safety, or political risks.

Faculty, staff, and students proposing travel to destinations identified as high risk by the or the are required to complete a formal review and approval process before travel may proceed.

Travelers must indicate whether their proposed travel involves a high-risk destination or region within their Risk Management Plan (RMP). Only Risk Management Plan submissions that identify high-risk travel are routed for review by the International Travel Review Committee, followed by final approval by the Provost's Office.

What Is Considered High-Risk Travel?

High-risk travel includes travel to countries or regions designated under any of the following advisory levels:

U.S. Department of State

  • Level 3: Reconsider Travel
  • Level 4: Do Not Travel

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

  • Level 3
  • Level 4

Destinations receiving these advisory levels may involve elevated concerns related to:

  • Political instability or civil unrest
  • Crime or terrorism
  • Armed conflict
  • Public health threats or disease outbreaks
  • Natural disasters
  • Limited medical infrastructure
  • Transportation or infrastructure disruptions

Travelers are responsible for reviewing current travel advisories and monitoring conditions prior to departure and throughout the duration of travel.

Who Must Obtain Approval?

The following travelers are required to obtain approval for high-risk international travel:

 
Advisory Source High-Risk Designation Undergraduate
Students		 Faculty, Staff & Graduate Students

Level 3 or 4

Risk Management Plan approval required

Risk Management Plan approval required

Level 3 or 4

Risk Management Plan approval required

Risk Management Plan approval required

This requirement applies to all UM-sponsored, UM-funded, or university-related international travel.

Important Advisory Information

Some countries or regions may have multiple or region-specific advisory levels issued by the U.S. Department of State. For example, a country may have an overall advisory rating while certain regions within the country are subject to higher-level warnings.

Travelers should carefully review destination-specific details to determine whether their travel falls within a high-risk category.

If you need assistance interpreting travel advisories or determining whether your destination requires approval, please contact the Global Engagement Office at educationabroad@mso.umt.edu or (406) 243-2278.

What Is the High-Risk Travel Approval Process?

Travel to high-risk destinations requires review through the University's international travel risk assessment process.

To initiate review, travelers must:

  • Complete a Risk Management Plan (RMP) and indicate whether the travel includes a high-risk destination or region
  • Provide any supporting documentation requested during the review process

Only Risk Management Plan submissions identifying high-risk travel are routed to the International Travel Review Committee for review.

The submitted materials are evaluated by the International Travel Review Committee, which considers:

  • The purpose and necessity of travel
  • Health and safety considerations
  • Risk mitigation strategies
  • Emergency planning and communication procedures
  • Availability of medical care and evacuation resources
  • Institutional and traveler preparedness

Following committee review, final approval is granted by the Provost's Office.

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Planning and Timeline Expectations

Travelers seeking approval for high-risk travel should begin the process as early as possible.

Additional review time may be required for:

  • Destinations with rapidly changing conditions
  • Complex itineraries
  • Research or fieldwork activities
  • Group travel
  • Areas with limited infrastructure or emergency support

Because approval is not automatic, travelers should avoid making non-refundable travel arrangements until the review process is complete whenever possible.

UM recommends submitting all required materials at least 30 days before departure to allow adequate time for review and decision-making.

Traveler Responsibilities

Approved travelers are expected to:

  • Monitor travel advisories before and during travel
  • Maintain communication with UM when appropriate
  • Follow all university travel requirements and safety protocols
  • Maintain valid international insurance coverage
  • Be prepared to modify or cancel travel if conditions deteriorate

The University reserves the right to deny, suspend, or revoke approval for international travel if safety conditions change or if adequate risk mitigation measures cannot be established.

Additional Resources

Travelers are encouraged to review official advisory information directly from:

These resources provide current information regarding safety, health, entry requirements, and regional conditions that may affect international travel.

  • The 勛圖厙 evaluates proposed high-risk international travel on a case-by-case basis through a comprehensive review process designed to support traveler safety, institutional responsibility, and informed decision-making.

    Travelers proposing travel to destinations or regions classified as high risk must indicate this within their Risk Management Plan (RMP) submission. There is not a separate High-Risk Travel Petition form.

    Only Risk Management Plan submissions that identify travel to a high-risk destination or region are routed for review by the International Travel Review Committee. If applicable, the Risk Management Plan will then follow the established review and approval process outlined below, with final approval by the Provost's Office.

    Submission of a Risk Management Plan for high-risk travel does not guarantee approval. The International Travel Review Committee carefully evaluates each request based on current conditions, traveler preparedness, and the University's ability to reasonably support the proposed travel.

    Factors Considered During Review

    In reviewing high-risk travel requests, the University may consider a variety of factors, including, but not limited to:

    • The academic, research, professional, or programmatic necessity of the travel
    • The educational appropriateness and value of the proposed activity
    • Current health, safety, political, environmental, and security conditions in the destination country or region
    • The traveler's preparedness, experience, and familiarity with the destination
    • The adequacy of the traveler's Risk Management Plan
    • Availability and accessibility of medical care and emergency services
    • Emergency communication and evacuation planning
    • Institutional resources available to support travelers abroad
    • Recommendations or restrictions issued by the , , or other relevant authorities

    The committee may also consider whether the traveler has taken appropriate steps to mitigate identified risks and respond effectively to changing conditions while abroad.

    Approval Decisions and Conditions

    Following review, the International Travel Review Committee will determine whether to recommend approval of the proposed travel to the Provost's Office and whether any conditions or restrictions should apply.

    Conditions of approval may include, are not limited to:

    • Completion of additional health or safety training
    • Enhanced communication requirements
    • Modifications to the travel itinerary
    • Additional documentation or emergency planning
    • Required insurance enrollment or evacuation coverage
    • Ongoing monitoring of travel advisories and local conditions

    If travel is approved, travelers will be required to sign an Agreement and Acknowledgement of Risk document acknowledging the risks associated with the proposed travel and their responsibility to comply with university requirements and safety expectations. 

    Final approval authority rests with the Provost's Office.

    Restricted and Prohibited Travel

    The University will not authorize international travel to countries or regions for which the U.S. Department of State has issued a mandatory evacuation order.

    Additionally, the University reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to deny, suspend, revoke, or withdraw approval for international travel at any time if conditions deteriorate or new risks emerge.

    If the U.S. Department of State issues a:

    • Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisory
    • Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory
    • CDC Level 3 or higher health notice

    for a country or region where UM travelers are present, the University may require travelers to depart the affected area.

    Travelers are expected to comply with all university directives related to health, safety, and emergency response while abroad.

    Travel Cancellation and Financial Responsibility

    If travel is canceled, interrupted, or suspended due to government advisories, university decisions, health emergencies, political instability, natural disasters, or other unforeseen circumstances, responsibility for canceling travel arrangements rests with the traveler or the traveler's designated representatives.

    Travelers should work directly with airlines, lodging providers, program operators, insurance providers, and other vendors to cancel or modify reservations in accordance with the original booking process.

    UM strongly recommends that travelers:

    • Maintain records of cancellation attempts and communications
    • Review vendor cancellation policies carefully before booking
    • Consider refundable reservations when possible
    • Obtain travel insurance coverage that includes trip interruption or cancellation benefits when appropriate

    The University cannot guarantee reimbursement of travel expenses, recovery of program costs, or preservation of academic credit in the event of a government-mandated or university-directed evacuation or travel suspension.

  • The International Travel Review Committee is responsible for reviewing high-risk travel requests and making recommendations regarding approval and risk mitigation measures.

    The committee includes representatives from the Global Engagement Office, the Office of Risk Management, and the Environmental Health and Safety Office.

    The committee works in consultation with the Office of Legal Counsel and Compliance and may, when appropriate, seek input from additional campus or external experts, including but not limited to:

    • Curry Health Center staff
    • Regional or country experts
    • Security consultants
    • Public health professionals
    • Academic program leaders

    The International Travel Review Committee's role is to support informed decision-making and promote responsible international travel practices that prioritize health, safety, and well-being of UM travelers abroad.