Study Abroad and Global Engagement

Study Abroad and Global Engagement

International Travel Policy

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UMKC supports participants who want to engage in university-related international travel and global engagement.

University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) International Travel Policy

Section 1: Students

Policy Statement: The University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) supports and encourages international travel, recognizing it as a crucial educational component. To ensure the safety and compliance of students participating in international activities, UMKC mandates emergency assistance protocols for all sponsored, promoted, and implemented travel. All students, faculty and staff traveling internationally with institutional affiliation must register through UMKC's Study Abroad & Global Engagement (SAGE) International Travel Registry.

Covered Activities (Students):

This policy applies to:

  • Travel funded by UMKC grants, scholarships, assistantships, or payroll.
  • Travel organized/sponsored by UMKC student organizations.
  • International performances or athletic competitions.
  • Travel to academic and professional association meetings, including conferences.
  • Research-related travel for academic or professional purposes.
  • Non-credit bearing travel organized/sponsored by UMKC, its units, or faculty/staff

Student Registration Requirements:

It is preferred that UMKC students submit their international travel registry at least one month prior to departure and update their travel information as needed during their travels. Registration requires submitting:

  • Emergency contact information.
  • Photocopy of their passport.
  • Completed liability, health insurance, and medical release forms.
  • Travel proposal and emergency management plans for group programs.

International Travel Medical Insurance Policy:

Students will be automatically enrolled in the Board of Curators mandated GeoBlue International Health Insurance Plan, and most will be billed on their U-bill.

Exclusions and Special Circumstances (Students):

  • Study Abroad Students enrolled in regular, for-credit, or UMKC-administered study abroad programs will be automatically registered in the Travel Registry as part of their study abroad application and are not required to submit a separate Travel Registry application.
  • This policy does not apply to personal travel without UMKC institutional affiliation.
  • Travel to locations with U.S. State Department Level 3 or 4 Travel Advisories requires additional approval and may be restricted or denied.

Registry benefits include:

  • UM System-mandated international sickness and accident insurance;
  • Security intelligence and access to AlertTraveler, the university’s security software;
  • Security, political, natural disaster and medical evacuation services;
  • In event of emergency, campus and university medical and financial support services available to students on the UMKC campus.

Individuals who do not register will not have access to these benefits. 

International Travel Advisories and Alerts Policy:

UMKC prioritizes the safety of students during international travel. Students wishing to travel to countries with U.S. State Department Level 3 or Level 4 advisories or CDC Travel Health Notices must seek approval from the ITRC. Travel to these countries without approval will not be sponsored by UMKC and may result in denial of academic credit, financial aid, or research funding.

Non-compliance

If a student chooses to engage in University-related travel to a country or region with a Department of State or CDC travel advisory Level 3 of Level 4, against the advice of the university or without approval from the International Travel Review Committee (ITRC), the student may be subject to disciplinary action under the University’s student conduct rules and procedures.  In addition, the university may not be able to assist in emergency situations.

In cases of emergency, students may not have access to university support or resources:

    • UM System-mandated international sickness and accident insurance;
    • Security intelligence;
    • Security, political, natural disaster and medical evacuation services;
    • Campus and university medical, legal and financial support services available to students on the UMKC campus.

Students seeking academic credit:

    • May lose scholarships or financial aid requiring continuous enrollment at UMKC;
    • May not receive academic credit for the study abroad experience.

High-Risk Travel for Students (Level 3 or 4 Regions):

  • Level 3: Reconsider Travel (U.S. Department of State) or Level 3: Reconsider Nonessential Travel (CDC): Undergraduate and graduate students must submit a written proposal for their planned international activities, including a detailed risk assessment and management plan, to the ITRC. Travel to these regions will only be approved if there is a compelling academic rationale, and the appropriate risk mitigation measures are in place.
  • Level 4: Do Not Travel (U.S. Department of State) or Level 4: Avoid All Travel (CDC): Travel to Level 4 regions is highly discouraged and will typically be denied. Only in rare, compelling academic circumstances may the ITRC approve travel to these regions, requiring a comprehensive risk management plan and the signing of an Assumption of Risk and General Waiver form.

In all cases, high risk travel approval by the ITRC is required at least eight weeks prior to travel. The ITRC reserves the right to withdraw or revoke approval if the risk level increases or safety concerns escalate.

Individual Student Specific Requirements (High-Risk Travel):

In rare cases, students looking to travel for research and related activities in high-risk locations (Level 3 or 4) must submit the following:

  • A written description of the proposed international activities, including flight itinerary and accommodation information.
  • A detailed risk assessment and management plan to the ITRC for approval. If travel is approved, they must also complete the Student Assumption of Risk and General Release Form and register their travel through the Student International Travel Registry.

Section II: Faculty/Staff/Students traveling as employees

Policy Statement:

UMKC faculty and staff traveling abroad for institutional purposes must also adhere to international travel policies to ensure the safety of all involved. Faculty and staff must register their travel through UMKC's Study Abroad & Global Engagement (SAGE) International Travel Registry.

Covered Activities (Staff/Faculty):

This policy applies to:

  • Travel organized/sponsored by UMKC, its units, or faculty/staff/ students traveling as employees.
  • Travel funded by UMKC grants, scholarships, UMKC Foundation, assistantships, or payroll.
  • Travel by UMKC employees for academic purposes.
  • Research or teaching related travel for academic or professional purposes.
  • Faculty/staff traveling abroad with UMKC students for UMKC-related purposes.

Registration Requirements (Staff/Faculty):

It is preferred that UMKC staff/faculty submit their international travel registry at least one month prior to departure and update their travel information as needed during their travels. Registration requires submitting:

Registration includes:

  • Emergency contact information.
  • Photocopy of their passport.
  • Completed liability, health insurance, and medical release forms.
  • Travel proposal and emergency management plans for group programs.

High-Risk Travel for Faculty/Staff (Level 3 or 4 Regions):

In both Level 3 or Level 4 cases, travel to high-risk regions must be reviewed and approved by the International Travel Review Committee (ITRC) no fewer than eight weeks before departure. Approval may be revoked if conditions worsen in the destination region.

  • Level 3: Reconsider Travel (U.S. Department of State) or Level 3: Reconsider Nonessential Travel (CDC): Faculty and staff must complete the Faculty, Staff, Post-Doctoral Fellows, and Research Scientist Assumption of Risk and General Release Form. Additionally, they must submit a detailed risk management plan to the ITRC. Approval is required prior to travel.
  • Level 4: Do Not Travel (U.S. Department of State) or Level 4: Avoid All Travel (CDC): Faculty and staff who might wish to travel to Level 4 regions must seek approval from the ITRC and submit comprehensive risk management and mitigation plans. Travel to Level 4 regions is typically not allowed, and any exceptions are extremely rare and require stringent documentation.