(Note: OLPM sections on this page may be cited following the format of, for example, "UNH.III.O.1.1". These policies may be amended at any time, do not constitute an employment contract, and are provided here only for ease of reference and without any warranty of accuracy. See OLPM Main Menu for details.)
1. Purpose and Scope
The University's International Travel Policy is intended to promote the health, safety and security of all members of the University community while traveling abroad. The university supports and promotes travel on its behalf by individuals whose business or scholarly activities involve international travel while encouraging sound business practices and security measures that minimize risks to the traveler and the institution.
The International Travel Policy applies to faculty, staff and students traveling outside of the United States of America, including travel to off-shore United States territories and possessions, on University-related activities, which may comprise but are not limited to study, research, internships, service, conferences, presentations, teaching, performances or athletic competitions.
The International Travel Policy comprises: (2) the UNH International Travel Registry, (3) International Travel Assistance, (4) International Travel Risk Review and (5) International Travelers’ Medical and Security Insurance.
2. International Travel Registry
2.1 Definition
2.1.1 The UNH International Travel Registry is a database for maintaining critical travel information for faculty, staff and students traveling abroad on University-related activities. The UNH International Travel Registry is the official and authoritative source of traveler information that forms the basis for the University’s emergency response protocols and communications strategy (e.g. alerts, warnings, evacuation notices) when responding to an emergency or critical incident abroad.
2.1.2 UNH Global Education is responsible for the management of the UNH International Travel Registry.
2.2 Policy
2.2.1 All faculty, staff and students traveling abroad for University-related purposes shall register their international travel in the UNH International Travel Registry a minimum of two weeks before the expected departure date and shall update the Travel Registry as additional information becomes available or changes occur throughout the duration of the trip.
2.2.2 Completing the International Travel Registry process ensures that UNH travelers will receive international travel assistance services. Additional information may be found in section 3. International Travel Assistance Services.
2.2.3 All students participating in education abroad programs who fail to sign up for and complete the International Travel Registry according to their program's deadline will not be authorized to travel on a UNH-related activity, nor will they be eligible to receive financial support or academic credit if applicable.
2.2.4 Among other data, the International Travel Registry shall establish and collect two distinct date types—UNH activity dates and travel dates.
2.2.4.1 UNH activity dates comprise the start and end dates of the University-related experience as defined by, including but not limited to: an activity supervised, led, arranged, or sponsored by an UNH department or faculty or staff member; activity supervised, led, arranged, or sponsored by a University office, organization (band, athletic team, etc.) or by a University recognized student organization; research sponsored or supported by a University research office unit or committee; presentation at a conference about University programs, activities, or research; work that falls within the scope of an employee’s official duties or association with the University.
2.2.4.2 Travel dates are defined by the individual's dates of travel, which may or may not match the University-related activity dates. For example, individuals may engage in personal travel before or after the UNH-related activity. The specific and accurate travel details should also be completed in the International Travel Registry, regardless of how they coincide with the UNH-related activity dates.
2.2.4.3 Travel assistance services will be provided only during the UNH-related activity dates.
2.2.4.4 In accordance to FERPA, information contained in the International Travel Registry is confidential and access is limited to the purposes contained in the statute and regulations.
3. International Travel Assistance Services
3.1 Definition
3.1.1 The University of New Hampshire provides international travel assistance services to students, faculty and staff traveling abroad on University-related activities. The definition of a University-related activity can be found in Section 2.2.4.1 of the International Travel Policy.
3.1.2 Travel assistance services include pre-departure medical, security and logistical information and emergency communication and information.
3.1.3 Payments will depend on the service rendered and insurance coverage. Refer to section 5. International Travelers’ Medical and Security Insurance for details.
3.1.4 Details are on the UNH Global website https://www.unh.edu/global/travel-policies-info.
3.2 Policy
3.2.1 All faculty, staff and students traveling abroad on University-related activities, as defined in Section 2.2.4.1 of the International Travel Policy, shall have access to international travel assistance services.
3.2.2 Failure to register in the University’s International Travel Registry precludes the traveler from access to the University's international travel assistance provider and its services.
3.2.3 For properly registered UNH international travelers, the international travel assistance provider supports travelers from the official UNH-related activity start date to the official end date.
4. International Travel Risk Review
4.1 Definition
4.1.1 It is the responsibility of the International Travel Risk Review Committee (ITRRC) to evaluate UNH student education abroad activities when a significant health or safety concern is raised and to decide whether to suspend that activity.
4.1.2 This health or safety concern may arise from a variety of sources including but not limited to: the U.S. Department of State, governmental/NGO health organizations, travel assistance providers, UNH faculty and staff with an expertise in the area, on-site staff officials or other indicators of potential health or safety threats.
4.2 Policy
4.2.1 UNH policy prohibits student travel and activities, undergraduate and graduate, in countries and areas that the U.S. Department of State rates as Level 3: Reconsider Travel or Level 4: Do Not Travel.
4.2.2 There may be instances when an individual UNH student or a UNH-sponsored group considers that there is a compelling educational interest to conducting an activity in a Level 3 or Level 4 country or area or in other potentially high risk destinations and that it is possible to mitigate the risks. In these cases, an individual student or a unit may petition to the International Travel Risk Review Committee (ITRCC) for prior approval.
4.2.3 The International Travel Risk Review Committee (ITRRC) is the body responsible for deciding whether to suspend a student international activity due to health or safety issues. ITRRC may decide to suspend an education abroad activity before it starts or while it is in process.
4.2.4 Information, guidelines, and forms are available on the UNH Global website: https://www.unh.edu/global/travel-policies-info.
5. International Travelers’ Medical and Security Insurance
5.1 Definition
5.1.1 International Travelers’ Medical and Security Insurance benefits include travel medical, medical evacuation and repatriation, and security evacuation coverage.
5.1.2 Not all student travelers are covered by this insurance.
5.2 Policy
5.2.1 UNH provides international travelers medical and security insurance to all faculty and staff traveling abroad on University-related activities who are also registered in the International Travel Registry. The definition of a University-related activity can be found in Section 2.2.4.1 of the International Travel Policy.
5.2.2 UNH provides international travelers medical and security insurance to students on the following education abroad programs: Faculty-led Programs, Exchange Programs, Other International Experiences and Graduate Student International Travel. These student travelers also must be registered in the International Travel Registry.
5.2.3 Students participating in education abroad Partner Programs must receive international travelers’ medical and security insurance from their study abroad provider or purchase individual coverage. Partner Programs are managed by professional third-party providers or universities abroad.
5.2.4 Eligible travelers’ insurance coverage will start on Official Program/Event Start Date and end on the Official Program/Event End Date.
5.2.5 Information, guidelines, and forms are available on the UNH Global website: https://www.unh.edu/global/travel-policies-info.
