International Travel

International travel arrangements can be coordinated with Anthony Travel or the Concur Travel online booking tool when traveling on university funds. When using these resources, travelers have 24/7 support while traveling. 

Texas Global oversees the International Travel Process for faculty, students and staff.  Prior to departing on a university-related international trip, the following steps must be followed. 

All UT Austin employees are required, per UT System requirements, to register their international travel through the UT Austin International Travel Registry with VIA.  

Registered UT Austin travelers will be supported by Texas Global Risk and Safety staff, and will be covered through On Call International overseas insurance.

• Once you are registered with On Call, you will have access to their pre-departure itinerary reviews and comprehensive destination intelligence to help you prepare for the realities on-site.
• On Call International provides extensive coverage for UT travelers who experience emergencies abroad, to include coverage for quarantining in the host country and assistance in seeking medical diagnoses of and treatment for COVID-19.
  • Employee International Travel Coverage Reference Sheet
  • Employee International Insurance Benefits While Traveling

For more information on preparing for safe travel abroad, follow the International Travel Process.

*Per the UT Austin International Oversight Committee (IOC), travel to U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) must be registered in the ITR to ensure emergency assistance and overseas insurance coverage through On Call International. ITR registration also informs the campus leadership, Texas Global, On Call International and UT System that we have travelers in these locations who may need support in event of emergency.

Restricted Regions

The International Oversight Committee (IOC) maintains a Restricted Regions List of locations worldwide that pose a heightened travel risk due to health, safety and/or security reasons . Travel to these countries must receive pre-approval prior to making travel arrangements.  

We encourage everyone that travels to subscribe to the Global Risk and Safety mailing list by sending a request to grs@austin.utexas.edu. You can also review the Global Risk and Safety Blog. 

International Travel on Sponsored Projects Policy

University faculty, staff, and students routinely travel in support of sponsored activities. This type of travel has very specific guidelines to conform to university policy, federal and state law, and potential  restrictions placed upon sponsored awards. University established travel rules must be followed based on budget groups associated to specific funding sources.  Visit the Travel on Sponsored Projects page for more details and resources. 

• Fly America Act and Open Skies Agreements

UT Austin - CIBT Visa Portal

Through this portal, visa and passport requirements are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 

URL: http://www.cibtvisas.com/utexasaustin

UT Austin Account Number: 107949

U.S. Customer Care: 800-929-2428

Executive Order GA-48 and Employee Restricted Regions Travel Approval Request Updates

On November 19, 2024, Governor Abbott issued Executive Order GA-48, imposing additional requirements on Texas public institutions of higher education and state agencies related to activities involving countries designated as foreign adversaries.

The foreign adversary countries currently include:

• China, including Hong Kong and Macau
• Cuba
• Iran
• North Korea
• Russia
• Venezuela

University-related travel to a foreign adversary country is generally prohibited unless an authorized exception is approved. Exceptions may be considered when:

1. A U.S. federal grant expressly provides for travel to the foreign adversary country; or
2. In rare circumstances, the travel is determined to be a high institutional priority by UT Austin leadership in consultation with The University of Texas System.

Additional restrictions, funding requirements, security protocols, and approvals may apply to travel involving these destinations.

Approval Required Before Travel

Travelers must obtain all required approvals before traveling to a foreign adversary country for University-related purposes.

Requests are reviewed through UT Austin's international travel approval process administered by Texas Global's Global Risk and Safety team. Travelers should review the current requirements and submit the appropriate Restricted Regions Travel Request before making nonrefundable travel arrangements.

Travelers, including faculty, staff, and students, should not expect reimbursement or University payment for travel to a foreign adversary country that has not received the required authorization.

Connecting Through a Foreign Adversary Country

GA-48 and Restricted Regions travel approval is not required when a traveler is only connecting through a foreign adversary country and remains within the airport during the layover.

However, due to security and information security considerations, travelers are encouraged to avoid itineraries that connect through foreign adversary countries when reasonable alternatives are available.

University Information Security Office requirements for international travel may still apply when connecting through a foreign adversary country, even when the traveler does not leave the airport. Travelers should review applicable Information Security Office guidance before departure, particularly when traveling with University-owned devices or accessing University systems or data.

If a traveler intends to leave the airport during a connection in a foreign adversary country, including during an extended or overnight layover, the traveler should contact Texas Global's Global Risk and Safety team before travel to determine what additional approvals or requirements apply.

Restricted Regions

Foreign adversary countries may also be included on UT Austin's Restricted Regions List. University-related travel to a Restricted Region requires advance authorization through Texas Global.

The Restricted Regions List is reviewed and updated regularly based on health, safety, security, and other risk considerations. Travelers should always review the current list when planning international University travel.

Resources

• Executive Order GA-48
• Texas Global – Restricted Regions Travel
• Texas Global – Request Restricted Region Travel Approval
• Restricted Regions List
• UT Austin Information Security Office – International Travel Guidance

Questions regarding Restricted Regions or foreign adversary travel approvals should be directed to Global Risk and Safety at grs@austin.utexas.edu.

Restricted Regions List

On May 29, 2025, Jeff Graves, Chief Compliance Officer, and Sonia Feigenbaum, Senior Vice Provost for Global Engagement & Chief International Officer, issued guidance outlining new security procedures for personal travel to foreign adversary nations as defined by the Department of Commerce to adhere to GA-48. 

For more information on the four required actions to take before and after your personal travel to a foreign adversary nation, please visit the Texas Global website:

Compliance with Executive Order GA-48: Personal Travel

If you have any questions about travel to these locations, please email the GRS team at grs@austin.utexas.edu. 

 Please be aware that U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection (CBP) may conduct a search of your electronic devices at border points of entry.  Learn more here.