As IU campuses return to more normal operations, the IU Restart Committee recommendations recognize that “international travel continues to pose greater challenges due to stress on local health systems and the emergence of new variants of concern.”
COVID-19 and Global Mobility
The information below addresses changes to university policy and practice in light of those challenges.
International Travel Policy
Effective March 31, 2022, the university’s general suspension of university-affiliated international travel will be modified as follows:
Employees (no change since July 1, 2021)
- International travel by faculty and staff no longer requires case-by-case review. It will be permitted upon submission of the IU Employee International Travel Information and Acknowledgment form. The form must be signed by the traveler and approved by the responsible dean or unit head. In the case of travel paid through IU, the form must be uploaded with the Chrome River pre-approval document for the trip to be authorized. In the case of university-affiliated travel paid by a third party, the form may be submitted directly to OVPIA via e-mail at ovpia@iu.edu.
All students
- Consistent with long-standing university policy on student international travel safety, no IU funds may be used to support graduate student travel to countries under U.S. State Department Level 4 “Do Not Travel” Advisories unless the advisory relates solely to COVID-19.
- International travel by undergraduate students is subject to approval by the Office of Overseas Study.
Graduate students
- International travel by individual graduate students no longer requires case-by-case COVID mitigation review by the OVPIA exception committee. Instead, individual graduate student travelers are required to submit an international travel form.
- If the grad student travel is being booked through Chrome River, the signed form should be uploaded with the Chrome River pre-approval document for the trip to be authorized.
- If the travel is being supported through a cash award in SIS or by a third party, the form should be e-mailed directly to OVPIA at ovpia@iu.edu prior to travel, as well as filed in the student’s home department records.
- For a graduate student traveling abroad alone, based on a faculty or staff member’s recommendation or encouragement, no further documentation is needed, even if the student has IU funding to support their travel.
- Additional approval will be required in cases where a faculty or staff member is traveling with the student, or is substantially involved in establishing or facilitating arrangements (e.g., creating opportunities for research, scheduling musical performances or sports activities or setting up other non-credit travel abroad for students). In such cases, graduate student international travel must first be approved through the Office of Overseas Study short form procedure.
Non-employees
- The university will not restrict incoming non-employee international travel beyond the requirements that apply to all university visitors as set out in the IU COVID-19 Campus updates. See the Events and Conferences and Campus Visitors sections for further information. No acknowledgment form is required for Chrome River pre-approval documents for non-employee travelers.
This policy does not apply to international travel for personal reasons (please see detailed FAQs below). However, considering the health risks that travel continues to present, we recommend that anyone considering personal international travel consult the CDC's travel guidance.
International travel FAQ
Travel is university-affiliated if it is undertaken within the scope of the traveler’s role and responsibilities at IU, regardless of the source of funding for the trip. For faculty, examples include travel to conduct research, teach, or participate in a professional meeting; for graduate students, examples include travel for research or study at a foreign institution.
No. However, in light of the health risks that travel continues to present, we recommend that anyone considering personal international travel consult the CDC's travel guidance.
No. The policy applies to all international travel undertaken within the scope of the traveler’s role and responsibilities at IU, even it is funded by a third party or by personal funds.
No, the policy applies to all travelers.
All international travelers are advised to follow CDC guidance for returning from travel.
Review the U.S. State Department travel advisories on their website . The top of the advisory should have language about “Reconsider travel to XXXX due to XXXXX.” It will typically say COVID-19, or will give other reasons such as civil unrest, crime, potential harassment of U.S. citizens.
No exceptions will be granted.
OVPIA has collaborated with several IU offices to put together a resource page about travel assistance and trip cancellation/interruption insurance options for students, faculty, and staff.
Learn more about IU's response
Stay informed with the latest information about Indiana University's response to the global pandemic.
International students
Our offices continue to assist international students in maintaining their student visa status and to provide support services. We are continuing to process admissions applications and you can find detailed resources and guidance on our websites.
IUPUI, Columbus, Fort Wayne IUB and other regional campuses
Student exchanges
Inbound undergraduate and graduate student exchanges resumed in 2021.
However, due to the ongoing pandemic, academic units should be fully transparent with students and international exchange partners about the risks and uncertainties associated with visas, international travel, and the university’s health and safety plans, including its vaccination policy. IU’s policy on international travel relies on current CDC guidance and is subject to change.
Study abroad
Semester study abroad programs have resumed operation, although students need to abide by local virus mitigation strategies in their host countries. Additionally, IU will continue to support short-term study abroad for programs that have established appropriate protocols to address the worldwide pandemic.
Global Gateway Network
Our Global Gateway offices in Bangkok, Beijing, Berlin, New Delhi, and Mexico City are hosting events on a limited basis depending on local conditions. The gateway directors continue to support international student services teams in their efforts to provide students and their parents with timely information, advice, and reassurance.
Gateway staff are also ready to provide faculty and staff any assistance required to help with rescheduling events, visits, communicating with partners, etc.
Internationalization at home
As international mobility programs resume, we continue to offer opportunities for international engagement and intercultural experiences at IUPUI and the Bloomington and regional campuses.
Updated March 31, 2022
