Travel to Elevated Risk Regions

Student Travel to Elevated Risk Regions

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 Students who do not receive approval before commencing travel will be withdrawn from the affiliated program and will forfeit any funding and other programmatic benefits.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.”

Requesting Approval

Students applying for approval for Law Center-facilitated travel to an Elevated Risk Region must submit an application and a current resume.

Before submitting their application, each student must do the following:

Review the University’s criteria for Elevated Risk Regions AND the relevant advisories for your destination.
Carefully review all the information on this page regarding the University’s International Travel Policy.
Contact International SOS and request a security review of the proposed itinerary and travel plans to obtain personalized safety/security guidance. Send an email to philadelphia@internationalsos.com with your name, the GU member number (11BCPA0000227), and a detailed itinerary. Request a security review and travel advice for your destination. Submit the full email correspondence including attachments to Applica.ux9dbixrt226ip67@u.box.com(This link opens in a new tab). Allow at least a 72-hour turnaround from ISOS.

Once you have completed Steps 1-3:

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.

Requests for approval are shared with the Office of Safety and Security and reviewed by the University’s International Travel Review Committee.

Approval is required prior to departure to an elevated risk area and is not guaranteed. Students should apply for approval at least 4 weeks prior to their anticipated departure date. If a student arrives at the location before receiving approval, no approval will be given and the travel will not be supported by Georgetown. Students who receive approval, should complete the travel registration process upon notification of approval. All travel registrations must be completed in advance of departure.

Please note that each application is reviewed on an independent basis and decisions are 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.