University Policy

Any student travel facilitated by the Law Center (e.g., via funding, academic credit, administrative organization of internship opportunities, and/or other support) must comply with Georgetown University’s International Travel Policy. The policy states that the University requires additional review and authorization for certain university-related international travel to Elevated Risk Regions in order to promote safety and mitigate risk.

Students who are contemplating Law Center-supported travel to a destination currently considered an Elevated Risk Region, as well as staff and faculty who propose to facilitate their travel, must request advance permission from the Office of Transnational Programs as described below. In evaluating such requests, that office will consider the content of relevant travel advisories, assess the academic and/or career purpose of the travel, and review the individual’s personal preparedness.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All faculty, staff, and students must also comply with the University’s Infectious Disease Travel Policy linked at the right, and should also review the University’s COVID-19 Travel Considerations.

Law Center Policy

Students who are considering travel to an Elevated Risk Region for a Georgetown-affiliated internship or other program must get advance approval from the Office of Transnational Programs. If you are unsure whether your destination is considered an Elevated Risk Region, please consult the university’s current criteria. 

Georgetown-affiliated programs include, but are not limited to, the International Internship Program, Equal Justice Foundation and Clifford Chance summer funding programs, Student Travel Committee supported travel, Human Rights Institute Fact-Finding Mission, and the International Women’s Human Rights Clinic. Students who do not receive approval before commencing travel will be withdrawn from the affiliated program and will forfeit any funding and other programmatic benefits.

In addition, in conformance with University policy, faculty and staff considering student travel to an Elevated Risk Region must request and obtain advance permission for such travel from the Office of Transnational Programs. Students traveling under such programs must also receive independent approval as indicated above.

Please note that some advisories warn against all but “essential” travel to a particular country. Students who submit requests should be aware that travel undertaken to work, study, or intern abroad is not considered “essential.”

While there is no fixed deadline for submitting such a request, prudence dictates that prospective travelers to Elevated Risk Regions expect substantial delays or denial. It is the prospective traveler’s responsibility to contact the Office of Transnational Programs early enough to preserve the option of alternative travel plans.

Requesting Approval

Students applying for approval for Law Center-facilitated travel to an Elevated Risk Region must:

• Submit an Application for Approval online along with a current resume. The application should describe the academic and/or career purpose of the travel, confirm that the applicant has read and understands the relevant travel advisories, and explains the individual’s personal preparedness.

The Office of Transnational Programs will make every effort to respond to all requests within 10 business days. As consultation may be required within and outside of the Law Center, applicants should anticipate the possibility that approval will be substantially delayed or denied. It is the prospective traveler’s responsibility to contact the Office of Transnational Programs early enough to preserve the option of alternative travel plans.

Please note that approval is granted based on current travel advisories as outlined in the policy. Health and safety conditions can change rapidly in some regions, and as such the University may deny or withdraw authorization for University-related international travel at any time.

After Receiving Approval

Following approval by the Office of Transnational Programs, students must:

• Register their travel (click the Student International Travel Registration link at the right) This will also enroll travelers in the university’s International SOS service.
• Enroll in the U.S Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
• Register on the Overseas Advisory Counsel’s website. This will allow you to subscribe to daily news and reports.

Travel Advisory Policy

The policy regarding travel to destinations considered Elevated Risk Regions is outlined in Section III of the University’s International Travel Policy.