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Restricted Travel Policy

Restricted Travel Policy

University International Restricted Travel Areas are defined as any location for which:

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).

Petitions for Restricted Travel Areas

To petition, students must outline their intended plans and onsite support, thoroughly review Department of State and CDC Advisories, consider guidance and outline ways they will mitigate the risks. A petition template is linked below. Petitions for Restricted Travel Areas are reviewed by a University committee based on the assessment of relevant factors, including but not limited to the following:

  • Risks described in the travel advisory/warning
  • Availability of on-the-ground support and resources
  • Student’s experience with independent international travel and experience in the intended host country
  • Academic necessity to travel to 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)
  • Independent or group travel
  • Faculty/staff support

Submitting A Petition

  • For non-credit International Travel Gateway activities, a petition should be submitted before any University funds are utilized and at least four weeks before travel.
  • For individual students applying to study abroad in a restricted travel location, a petition should be submitted at the time of application.
  • For Study Abroad or Travel Gateway Groups, the petition below should be completed by the faculty/staff member or group leader of the program on behalf of the student group prior to opening a program for student applications or before any financial commitments.
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 above. 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.