University Operations

Travel

Student, Faculty & Staff Travel

FIU’s International Travel Committee (ITC) continues to monitor the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and is cognizant of the need of faculty, staff and students to travel for academic and business purposes, as well as student success. Taking into consideration information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of State, World Health Organization and FIU’s own experts, and integrating the State of Florida’s requirements pertaining to House Bill 7017 on Foreign Influence, the following protocol takes  effect July 1, 2022: 

• Outbound International Travel

  This guidance only pertains to FIU-sponsored and FIU-related trips as per the university’s
  International Travel Policy for Employees and Students. It does not concern personal trips such as family visits or vacations.

  International Travel by Employees (Including Student Employees)
  Effective July 1, 2022, the pre-departure screening and approval process is contained entirely in the Travel Authorization (TA) process with the exception of trips to destinations at advisory Level 4 by the U.S. Department of State or the CDC. As part of the TA workflow, the traveler must complete the Foreign Travel Guidance and Screening Questionnaire. All travelers are also required to register with the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (SMART) prior to departure for their own protection and benefit. A separate petition (Level 4 Travel Petition) is required for high-risk destinations that are at Level 4 by the U.S. Department of State or the CDC.

  International Travel by Students
  Students who are not employed by FIU and wish to travel abroad must complete the pre-departure orientation provided by the Office of Education Abroad (OEA) regardless of the  advisory level by the U.S. Department of State or the CDC. During the pre-departure orientation, the student will review travel risks and learn about best practices and mitigation measures. Students will also be enrolled in the U.S. Department of State’s STEP program by OEA staff and receive information on FIU’s travel insurance coverage paid for by the institution. For frequently traveling students (e.g. those who travel repeatedly for field work) the process will be streamlined. For more information or to start the pre-departure orientation process, please email edabroad@fiu.edu. 

  Since conditions and advisory levels may change, travelers are asked to continue monitoring announcements by the U.S. Department of State and the CDC. Should a country’s advisory be adjusted and the risks to our travelers be deemed too high, travel may be restricted prior to departure or travelers may be required to return home.

  Travel Advisories, Travel Notices and COVID-19 Travel Recommendations

  US DOS	CDC Travel Notices	CDC COVID-19 Travel Notices

  For questions and concerns, please contact the Chair of the International Travel Committee, Gitta Montoto, at gmontoto@fiu.edu.

• Inbound International Travel 

  The protocol for inbound mobility remains as communicated previously. All members of the FIU community, including but not limited to students, employees, vendors and visitors, are required to follow FIU’s COVID-19 safety protocol when accessing any university premises regardless of where they travel from (local, national, international). FIU will only require a period of quarantine if it is required by local, state or federal health authorities.

  International students, inbound exchange students and visiting scholars are invited to come to FIU to complete their studies or teaching and research assignments. They are advised to inform themselves about changes to our academic enterprise in response to the COVID-19 pandemic prior to their departure to the U.S. and regularly visit https://panthersprotectingpanthers.fiu.edu/.