ROCEDURAL UPDATE: Policy for Education Abroad and Related Activities in Sites with U. S. Department of State Travel Warning/Travel Alert (Now Called U. S. Department of State Travel Advisory)
On January 10, 2018, the U. S. Department of State announced a new travel advisory system to replace the former travel warning and travel alerts. The State Department now issues a Travel Advisory for each country of the world as well as detailing varying levels of warning for specific locations or areas within a country. The former travel warning and travel alert website no longer exists.
UConn’s Policy for Education Abroad and Related Activities in Sites with U.S. Department of State Travel Warning/Travel Alert requires a waiver approved by the Vice President for Global Affairs for any university-sponsored or university-related travel to a country with a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning or Travel Alert. In light of the new U.S. Department of State travel advisory system, Global Affairs issues the following procedural updates to Policy:
Faculty, students and staff traveling to Level 3 “Reconsider travel” and Level 4 “Do no travel” countries for UConn-sponsored or UConn-related purposes must follow the current steps to obtain a waiver under the Policy. See: https://global.uconn.edu/home-2/travel-immigration/international-travel-information/
In addition, faculty, students and staff traveling to a Level 2 country with specific travel to a location or area that is listed as “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” or “Level 4: Do Not Travel” within the Level 2 country must also obtain a waiver under the Policy, even if the overall country is listed as a Level 2 country in the U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory. For example, such locations or areas include the following:
Israel – Gaza and the West Bank.
Mexico – Colima State, Guerrero state, Michoacán state, Sinaloa state, Tamaulipas state, Chihuahua state, Coahulla state, Durango state, Estado de Mexico state, Jalisco state, Mrelos state, Nayarit state, Nuevo Leon state, San Luis Potosi state, Sonora state, and Zacatecas state.
Philippines – Sulu Archipelago and Sulu Sea, Marawi City in Mindanao, and Mindanao.
In the coming months, Global Affairs will attend various workshops conducted by the U. S. Department of State on the rollout of the new travel advisory system. We will update our policies and practice as necessary to adapt to this new travel advisory system as we gain more experience and information.
If you have any questions and concerns, please contact Ms. Sarah O’Leary, Director of Education Abroad at sarah.o'leary@uconn.edu.
More detailed information on the new travel advisory system can be found directly on the U.S. State Department website: travel.state.gov
We issue a Travel Advisory for each country of the world. Travel Advisories follow a consistent format and use plain language to help U.S. citizens find and use important security information. Travel Advisories apply up to four standard levels of advice, give a description of the risks, and provide clear actions U.S. citizens should take to help ensure their safety.
To see a complete list of Travel Advisories for every country in the world, see travel.state.gov/traveladvisories. Click on our color-coded world map for a global view.
Levels 1-4
The Travel Advisory appears at the top of each country page, with a color corresponding to each level:
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions: This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk. There is some risk in any international travel. Conditions in other countries may differ from those in the United States and may change at any time.
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution: Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. The Departments of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time.
Level 3 - Reconsider Travel: Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory.Conditions in any country may change at any time.
Level 4 – Do Not Travel: This is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. During an emergency, the U.S. government may have very limited ability to provide assistance. The Department of State advises that U.S. citizens not travel to the country or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time.
Varying Levels
We issue an overall Travel Advisory level for a country, but levels of advice may vary for specific locations or areas within a country. For instance, we may advise U.S. citizens to “Exercise Increased Caution” (Level 2) in a country, but to “Reconsider Travel” (Level 3) to a particular area within the country.
Risk Indicators
Travel Advisories at Levels 2-4 will contain clear reasons for the level assigned, using established risk indicators and specific advice to U.S. citizens who choose to travel there. These are:
• C – Crime: Widespread violent or organized crime is present in areas of the country. Local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
• T – Terrorism: Terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.
• U – Civil Unrest: Political, economic, religious, and/or ethnic instability exists and may cause violence, major disruptions, and/or safety risks.
• H – Health: Health risks, including current disease outbreaks or a crisis that disrupts a country’s medical infrastructure, are present. The issuance of a Centers for Disease Control Travel Notice may also be a factor.
• N - Natural Disaster: A natural disaster, or its aftermath, poses danger.
• E - Time-limited Event: Short-term event, such as elections, sporting events, or other incidents that may pose safety risks.
• O – Other: There are potential risks not covered by previous risk indicators. Read the country’s Travel Advisory for details.
For more information, contact: Education Abroad at (860) 486-5022 Email: abroad@uconn.edu