Travel Review

The Travel Review consists of four sequential stages. To start the process, review each stage, then use the Travel Review application link below and enter the proposed dates and location of your travel. You will be directed to the application where you can see all the required elements and start on Stage 1. 

Stage 1 - Information for Travel Assessment: Detailed information about your trip plan, including accommodations, transportation, emergency resources, communication plans, work plans, and your general understanding of the risks in the location. Do your research ahead of time to accurately share your current knowledge of the risks in the location. Be as detailed as possible in this section of the application. 

Stage 2 - On Call International Travel Briefing: Request a travel security briefing from On Call International by submitting this form or calling 1-978-651-9216. You must review the travel briefing (see below) and upload a PDF for the travel briefing to your application profile. 

Stage 3 - Outcome of the On Call International Travel Briefing: Once you have reviewed the travel briefing and risk analysis, reflect on the information provided, your sources and knowledge of the location, and consider any changes you should make to your travel plans to mitigate risks while abroad. Add your reflections and any changes in your application profile. 

Stage 4 - Emergency Contact and Passport Information: In your application profile, enter your passport details and upload an electronic copy of your passport (optional), and provide your emergency contact information (in the US or your home country). 

Supplemental Materials (optional): You can use this space in the application to provide the Committee with additional information, such as maps, organization emergency plans or orientations, and training, personal certifications, etc., to support your application. This is optional and not required.

Once Stage 1 - 4 are complete, Global Operations will submit your application to the International Travel Review Committee for a thorough review of all materials. During the review, the Committee weighs a variety of factors, including but not limited to: 

• Travelers demonstrated an understanding of the risks associated with the travel
• Transportation choice, sourcing, and reasoning
• Accommodation choice, sourcing, and reasoning
• Communication plan developed related to the travel itinerary and location-specific needs
• Inherent risk of location in relation to provided risk mitigation strategies
• Inherent risk of traveler with regard to provided risk mitigation strategies
• Local affiliation on the ground, if applicable
• Ability to provide emergency support

The Committee also considers information from multiple other sources, including government reports and organizations, the University’s travel assistance and intelligence providers, the University’s insurance carriers, and other expert sources in providing relevant operational, legal, and risk management advice to travelers.

Upon reviewing the submitted materials, the Committee may require applicants to take additional steps or alter their travel plans to obtain approval. Tufts may withdraw sponsorship should students fail to follow these recommendations. Should a Travel Review result in a denial of the travel request, a summary of the decision will be offered to the applicant or the applying unit.

Travel Approved: The Committee has fully approved the travel itinerary, and mitigation strategies and the travel is authorized.

More Information Needed: Upon reviewing the travel plans, the Committee requires the traveler to submit additional information for the Committee to make a decision. If so, Global Operations will contact the traveler to obtain the requested information.

Changes to the travel plans required: Upon reviewing the travel plans, the Committee requests the traveler to alter their current travel plans to mitigate further the risks associated with this travel. The Committee will verify that the changes have been made before approving the travel.

Approved with Conditions: Upon reviewing the travel plans, the Committee requires the traveler to take additional steps before and during their travel to obtain approval. 

Not Approved: Tufts reserves the right to withhold approval if the Committee determines after the review that the travel would be imprudent based on the particular facts of the case. Should a Travel Review result in the denial of the travel, a summary of the decision will be offered to the applicant or the applying unit.

To get started, please have detailed information about your work and trip plan ready and available to reference, then access the application.

Fletcher treks, Global Assistant Research Program participants, UNFCCC delegates: please email internationalsafety@tufts.edu to access the application.

The Tufts International Travel Review Committee meets monthly to review Travel Review applications. Students are encouraged to begin the Travel Review process  4 - 6 weeks before traveling, and to submit all application materials at least 5 - 10 business days before the Committee meets.  

2023-2024 ITRC Meeting Dates

September 14, 2023

October 12, 2023

November 9, 2023

December 14, 2023

January 11, 2024

February 8, 2024

March 14, 2024

April 11, 2024

May 9, 2024

June 13, 2024

July 11, 2024

The Travel Advisory appears at the top of each country page and is color-coded to correspond to the risk:

• Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions: This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk. There is some risk in any international travel. Conditions in other countries may differ from those in the United States and may change at any time.
• Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution:  Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time. 
• Level 3 - Reconsider Travel: Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time. 
• Level 4 – Do Not Travel:  This is the highest advisory level due to a greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. During an emergency, the U.S. government may have very limited ability to provide assistance. The Department of State advises that U.S. citizens not travel to the country or leave as soon as it is safe to do so. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time.

DOS issues an overall Travel Advisory level for a country, but risk indicators and advice may vary for specific locations or areas within a country. For instance, DOS may advise “Exercise Increased Caution” (Level 2) in a country, but to “Reconsider Travel” (Level 3) to a particular region or area within that country.

Visit the DOS interactive global map to learn about the Travel Advisory for the country and specific region of your planned trip. 

Travel Advisories at Levels 2-4 contain clear reasons for the level assigned, using established risk indicators and specific advice to individuals who choose to travel there. These are:

• C – Crime: Widespread violent or organized crime is present in areas of the country. Local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
• T – Terrorism: Terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.
• U – Civil Unrest: Political, economic, religious, and/or ethnic instability exists and may cause violence, major disruptions, and/or safety risks.
• H – Health: Health risks, including current disease outbreaks or a crisis that disrupts a country’s medical infrastructure, are present. The issuance of a Centers for Disease Control Travel Notice may also be a factor. 
• N - Natural Disaster: A natural disaster, or its aftermath, poses danger.
• E - Time-limited Event: Short-term event, such as elections, sporting events, or other incidents that may pose safety risks.
• O – Other: There are potential risks not covered by previous risk indicators. Read the country’s Travel Advisory for details.
• K – Kidnapping or Hostage Taking: Criminal or terrorist individuals or groups have threatened to and/or have seized or detained and threatened to kill, injure or continue to detain individuals in order to compel a third party (including a governmental organization) to do or abstain from doing something as a condition of release. 

There are three instances when a Travel Review is necessary:

1. You are traveling to a country that is subject to a DOS Travel Advisory rating of Level 3 - Reconsider Travel or Level 4 - Do not travel
2. You are traveling to a region/area/city within a country that is subject to a DOS Travel Advisory rating of Level 3 -Reconsider Travel or Level 4 - Do Not Travel
3. You are a faculty or staff member organizing a trip on behalf of a group of students or are traveling with one or more students destined for a country or region subject to a DOS Travel Advisory rating of Level 3 -Reconsider Travel or Level 4 - Do Not Travel

• Purpose of travel
• Proposed itinerary with dates and locations
• Detailed information about transportation, accommodation, work plans, emergency plans, communication methods, and known risks. 

You should allow for 4 - 6 weeks to complete the process. The International Travel Review Committee meets monthly to review applications during the academic year. Don’t wait until the last minute! Some applications may require revisions and additional information to reach a decision. *The Committee will accept late applications in rare situations, but will not consider applications received less than two weeks prior to scheduled departure.

Students traveling on university-organized programs, such as Tufts Programs Abroad, Global Health Rotation, or Global Service Learning should follow their program’s guidelines on complying with this policy and when their destination is considered high-risk. Students are required to contact the respective school contacts for their program and submit the necessary materials following the program requirements and deadlines.

Yes. The Tufts international travel policy applies to all undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree students, residents, and fellows. If you are traveling with a university program with an established internal review, such as the Global Health Program or the Global Service Learning Program, please also follow the instructions of your program administrator.

If you are traveling for university purposes, you are required to apply for a Travel Review. This policy applies to all Tufts students including international students. If you are returning home for purely personal reasons (such as vacation or visiting family), then the Travel Review nor Travel Registration is required.

When researching your country, we recommend the following sources, in addition to your own resources.

On Call International (review country-specific information available on the Global Risk Intelligence Platform and request a travel security briefing by submitting a Pre-Trip Itinerary Review request form)

US Department of State County Information 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Traveler's Health

Once you have submitted your Travel Review application it is not possible to make changes. You should contact Global Operations at  internationalsafety@tufts.edu or 617-627-3099.

Please contact Global Operations at  internationalsafety@tufts.edu or 617-627-3099.