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Restricted Travel Policy

Restricted Travel Policy

NC State students are not permitted to travel to Restricted Travel Areas unless a petition is completed and special University approval is granted prior to travel (REG 02.55.01, section 3.1.2). Restricted Travel Area is defined as any location for which:

Petitions for Restricted Travel Areas

In the petition, students must outline their intended plans, complete a safety assessment, and sign a Special Release and Hold Harmless Agreement indicating their understanding and acceptance of the risks. Petitions for Restricted Travel Areas are accepted or denied by the Study Abroad Emergency Response Team as coordinated by the Study Abroad Office, based on the materials submitted and analysis of relevant factors, including but not limited to the following:

  • specifics of and risks described in the travel advisory/warning;
  • availability of on-the-ground support and resources;
  • experience with independent international travel;
  • academic need to study in the particular location (the likelihood that goals could be achieved elsewhere);
  • duration of proposed experience;
  • thoroughness of research included in the petition;
  • viability of personal risk mitigation plan (safety assessment);
  • whether independent or group travel;
  • for student organization travel, whether there is faculty/staff support.

Submitting A Petition

Students must thoroughly review and acknowledge the risks outlined in the Department of State and CDC advisories and submit a restricted travel petition for consideration.

  • For Group Travel, the petition below should be completed by the faculty/staff member or group leader of the program on behalf of the student group.
  • For study abroad programs, petitions should be submitted at the time of application.
  • For non-credit International Travel Gateway activities, the petition should be submitted prior to any University funds are utilized and at least four weeks prior to travel.
  • Upon approval, a signed special Release and Hold Harmless agreement will be required of all NC State student travelers.
Restricted Travel Petiton Template
Submit completed petition

Restricted Travel Area After Departure

Once abroad, if students are in a country that becomes a Restricted Travel Area, the Study Abroad Office will complete a risk assessment based on the factors below and the director or designee will communicate with students and personnel if the program or university-affiliated travel is suspended and they are expected to return to the U.S.

If students wish to remain abroad, they must pursue a petition to receive approval and sign a special Release and Hold Harmless Agreement indicating their understanding and acceptance of the risks.