Global Safety & Security

Global Safety & Security

Emergency International Travel Assistance and Insurance 

UMass students, faculty and staff traveling abroad on university-related travel are covered by the International Emergency Travel Assistance and Insurance Policy with ISOS.  
 
This coverage is intended to provide the first line of service and protection to the university’s travelers for emergency or medically urgent situations abroad.  

Please carefully review the following: 


Travel Registry

All university-related international travel is required to be registered. We are currently transitioning away from the Terra Dotta Travel Registry to a combination of Concur and Healix Sentinel.  

For more information, please review the Travel and Expense program.


Travel Policies  

In April 2023, the UMass Board of Trustees approved a new Travel Policy. The systemwide Travel Policy defines what constitutes University Travel, places requirements for obtaining prior approval for and registering University Travel, addresses travel to High-Risk Destinations, and places requirements on traveling with the University Equipment, Devices or Data. 

High-Risk Destinations are determined by the UMass systemwide Travel Risk Management Advisory Committee (TARMAC). TARMAC has set this criteria for designating High-Risk Destinations. 

For more information, please review these necessary steps University Travelers must take prior to booking travel. 


Resources for International Travel

US Department of State Travel Advisories   

The United States State Department maintains a detailed overview of security conditions for all countries. They also rate them in their Travel Advisories, from a Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions to a Level 4: Do Not Travel. Please see the US Department of State website for more information and carefully review the advisory for your destination.  

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travel Health Notices 

CDC Travel notices are designed to inform travelers and clinicians about current health issues related to specific destinations. These issues may arise from disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, natural disasters, or other conditions that may affect travelers’ health. You can review the travel notices on the CDC Travel Health Notices website and you can review country specific information by selecting your country of travel here

Export Control Compliance  

It is the responsibility of all campus community members to be familiar with and adhere to U.S. export controls. Export controls are laws and regulations that regulate and restrict the release of controlled items, such as critical technologies and equipment, technical data, software, and chemical and biological materials, and information and services to foreign nationals and foreign countries for reasons of national security and foreign policy. Export controls apply to all activities – not just sponsored research projects. If you have questions about the application of export controls to your travel, please contact the Office of Research Compliance at (413) 545-5283 or visit the Export Control website

UMass Amherst IT Security Guidance for International Travel  

There are information and information technology risks when traveling. UMass Amherst IT provides the following general guidance for all types of travel, including specific recommendations for domestic and international travelers. It is intended to help mitigate the risks to your information, university data and IT assets. The appropriate controls should be implemented to maintain compliance with federal law, university policy, data use agreements, and security plans. Please see the IT Travel Guidance website. 

Obtaining a Visa for Foreign Travel 

Visas are required for travel to many countries. Even countries where U.S. citizens may not normally require a visa, the purpose of travel and length of proposed stay may trigger a visa requirement. IPO cannot provide advice for individual travelers (unless you are a student on one of our approved study abroad programs or exchanges), however we have created these visa guidelines for general reference only.   

UMass Travel Clinic  

University Health Services (UHS) has a full service Travel Clinic and offers care to UMass faculty and staff, along with their spouses, domestic partners and/or dependents. The UMass Travel Clinic can help you learn about specific health needs for your destination as well as administer the vaccinations you might need depending on your destination. Appointments are required and you should be seen at least four weeks before you leave. Before making an appointment, consult your health insurance plan for coverage information. Some insurers may require a referral from your primary care provider.  

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) Registration  

Faculty and staff are encouraged to register their travel with the US Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. STEP is a free service to allow US citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Travelers receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in their destination country and registration helps the US Embassy contact you in an emergency. Please note that non-US citizens cannot register their travel but can subscribe to country-specific alerts and messages.  

COVID-19  

All travelers, regardless of destination, are strongly advised to be fully vaccinated and boosted before travel. Please carefully review if there are any COVID entry restrictions in place for your destination(s).  

Please note that International Emergency Travel Insurance coverage provided by UMass does not cover evacuation or other accommodations due to disruption to travel plans resulting from a pandemic. Coverage does include medical expenses resulting from the treatment of COVID-19, but does not extend to losses for travel and accommodation expenses. Travelers could consider purchasing additional Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) insurance.

Resources for Survivors of Sexual Assault Studying Abroad 

Please know that If you are a survivor of sexual misconduct that occurred abroad, what happened to you was not your fault. The university's commitment to fostering an environment free from gender discrimination (including discrimination based on gender identity and expression), sexual harassment, and sexual violence extends to all students, faculty, and staff traveling abroad. There are both confidential and private resources available to you, please visit the UMass Title IX website for more information. 


Contact Us

picture of Andrea Drake Andrea Campbell Drake

Director of International Health, Safety, and Security
andreadrake[at]umass[dot]edu
413.545.2710