umich travel safety

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SAFETY TIPS

All students, faculty and staff should use Global Michigan as the central information source for health, safety and emergency preparedness information regarding international travel. A key component of this website is the Travel Registry , where students, faculty and staff can record itinerary and contact information. The registry is a convenient, one-stop service that supports emergency communications, access to travel abroad health insurance and more. Students, faculty and staff at the University of Michigan are required to register when traveling internationally for academic, business or any other university-related purpose.

Courtesy of U.S. Department of State

For your convenience, we’ve included some pertinent links to Global Michigan below:

• U-M Travel Warnings and Restrictions : Here you’ll find a list of locations around the world where travel is not advised or U-M related travel is prohibited due to global health, safety and security concerns.
• Health and Safety Resources : These resources can help travelers make informed pre-departure plans, mitigate the risks of international travel and take ownership of their wellness during and after their trip.
• Travel Tips : These resources provide general travel information and tips on everything from securing official travel documents to pre-departure checklists.
• U-M Policies : Learn more about U-M policies that apply to students, faculty and staff who are traveling abroad for purposes related to the University of Michigan.

Division of Public Safety and Security Address: 1239 Kipke Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1002 Phone: (734) 763-1131 Email: [email protected]

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Travel Safety

With 25 percent of students studying abroad during their time at Michigan, it is important to know the steps to planning a safe trip. Whether you travel within the country or across the globe, keep these suggestions in mind.

• Register your travel with the U-M Travel Registry on Wolverine Access.  This involves providing your contact information and travel plans – information that will help the University get in touch with you in the event of an emergency. Visit for more information .
• Review the U-M Pre-Departure Checklist for students traveling abroad: 
• Fill out an Emergency Wallet card  with important contact information: 
• If you plan to travel abroad, obtain a passport and check visa requirements a few months in advance. If your passport is lost or stolen while you are overseas, report it immediately to the local police and your nearest Embassy or Consulate – which can issue a replacement passport, often within 24 hours.
• Purchase U-M Travel Abroad Health Insurance (required for all students, faculty and staff travelling for University-related purposes). This coverage can also be obtained for personal vacations. For more information on available insurance plans.
• Review the University Travel Warning and Travel Restriction Destinations . Additional steps must be taken by individuals hoping to travel to these countries for University-related purposes. Also, be aware of any short-term travel alerts issued by the U.S. State Department for your destination.
• Familiarize yourself with your destination. Find country-specific information such as the location of the U.S. embassy, crime and security information, and entry/exit requirements.
• Leave a copy of your travel itinerary with family or friends at home in case they need to contact you in an emergency. Make two photocopies of your passport identification page, airline tickets, driver’s license and the credit cards you plan to take – leave one set of copies with family or friends and pack the other set separately from the originals.
• Evaluate options for phone use overseas so that you can call home if needed. To use public phones, phone cards can be purchased in most countries. If you have a GSM cell phone, you can usually pack the device and buy a new SIM card when you arrive at your destination.
• Don’t bring anything that you would hate to lose on your trip including valuable or expensive-looking jewelry, unnecessary credit cards, irreplaceable family objects, or your Social Security card.
• Schedule direct flights if possible and try to arrive in the daytime. Also, try to minimize time spent in the public area of an airport, which is a less protected area.
• Do not wear conspicuous clothing or jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of money.
• Watch for people following you or “loiterers” observing your comings and goings.
• Select your own taxicabs at random or ask your hotel/colleagues for a taxi provider recommendation. Avoid taking a vehicle that is not clearly identified as a taxi and compare the face of the driver with the one on his/her posted license.
• If possible, travel with others.
• Be sure of the identity of visitors before opening your hotel room door.
• If you are a victim of a crime while abroad, U.S. consular officers can help to contact family, friends or employers, address any emergency needs, and provide information about the local criminal justice process. Contact information for U.S. Embassies and Consulates . University staff members affiliated with the U-M Travel Registry and in the Dean of Students Office can also be a resource to students abroad.

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You are here

Also in protect yourself, safe computing while traveling.

Remember to protect your devices, personal information and U-M data when you travel. Check out our video and then the detailed tips below.

Before You Travel

Taking time to plan and do a little preparation before you travel can prevent problems and aggravation.

International travelers: See International Travel with Technology for important guidance for travel outside the United States, including requirements regarding using U-M data and devices.

Only take what you need

• Don't take personal or U-M data or devices you won't need.
• Use encrypted devices when you travel with U-M data. See Encrypt Your Data . Consider an encrypted flash drive (Available for purchase at the ITS Tech Shop ) if you need removable storage.

Update and prepare devices

• Update all software and operating systems before traveling.
• Be sure that anti-virus/malware software is installed and up-to-date on personal devices. Scan your devices before leaving for your trip.
• Students, faculty, and staff should install the U-M VPN (Virtual Private Network) .
• Backup your device before you travel in case it is lost or stolen.

Set up basic security settings

• See Traveling With Duo for two-factor options, and create passcodes if you might travel to places without cellular service.
• Alumni and retirees can turn on two-factor for Weblogin to protect their personal information in Wolverine Access, as well as U-M Google, U-M Box, Canvas, and more. It is automatically turned on for all current faculty, staff, students, and sponsored affiliates.
• Turn on multi-factor authentication for personal accounts where available. This is strongly recommended for your personal email service, banking services, and other sensitive accounts.
• Use a passcode and auto-lock on all devices. Lock them when not in use.
• Turn on the find-my-device feature.

While You Are Traveling

• Do not leave your devices unattended in public.

Connect Securely

• Disable auto-connecting to WiFi so you don’t accidentally connect to insecure networks.
• Visiting another educational institution? Students, faculty, and staff should use eduroam WiFi access , to access U-M resources. Use the WiFi setup tool before travel to configure eduroam.
• Use a VPN or cellular network for a more secure connection . See Use a Secure Internet Connection for more advice on connecting when off campus.
• Turn off wireless, GPS, and Bluetooth when not in use.
• Use U-M Virtual Sites for remote access to computers on the U-M campus with the same software as Campus Computing Sites Windows workstations.

Avoid common security pitfalls

• Never enter or access sensitive data when using a shared or public computer. For example, do not enter your U-M or personal account credentials.
• Don't use free charging stations. Always pack your own chargers and cords.
• Do not accept removable media or free downloads unless you are absolutely sure the source is trustworthy.
• Do not use personal, non-U-M- accounts to maintain or share sensitive U-M data as noted in Use of Personal Accounts and Data Security and the Personal Account page in the Sensitive Data Guide to IT Services.
• Be cautious about sharing location and other sensitive information on social media.

If Your Device is Lost or Stolen

• Promptly report incidents that involve loss, theft, or breach of personally owned devices that store or handle sensitive U-M data , in accordance with Information Security Incident Reporting (SPG 601.25)
• Contact the IT Service Center for assistance in changing your U-M passwords.
• Contact local authorities to report the loss or theft.
• Change the passwords for access to sensitive personal services, like email and banking.

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Michigan Ross is deeply committed to seeing that all students have tools in place to be safe and healthy while abroad and the resources to respond should an emergency situation arise.

For additional information and resources to serve you when preparing to go abroad and while overseas, see the Global Michigan website. 

Travel Health Checklist: Plan Ahead & Reach Out

You can use  the  Travel Health Checklist provided by UM Health Services as a travel preparation guide.

Ross Global Education Advisors are available to answer any questions or address any concerns that you may have before you depart or while you are abroad. Contact the advisors at (734) 936-3917 or by e-mail at [email protected].  Students should also fill out a Self-Guided International Travel Health Inventory & Self-Care Plan, which can be downloaded on the Global Michigan Travel Resources website, in the Health and Safety section .

Students are strongly encouraged to self-disclose any physical or mental health concerns, dietary restrictions, allergies, medications, etc. to advisors or on-site program staff in order to receive guidance in establishing a self-care plan for their time abroad. 

GeoBlue Travel Abroad Health Insurance

All University of Michigan students traveling abroad for educational reasons must be covered by GeoBlue Insurance. This insurance provides outstanding coverage for a wide range of conditions and events. Depending on the Ross global program, GeoBlue insurance may be automatically purchased for students by program staff. If this is not the case, students are required to enroll and pay for coverage themselves. Please check with your program staff to confirm whether or not you are automatically covered for the duration of your program. We strongly recommend that all students extend GeoBlue coverage for any personal travel. There is a one-time sign up fee of $5.00, and the insurance is $1.10 per day.

• U-M GeoBlue Coverage Plan 
• GeoBlue  for Students

UHS Travel Clinic : Evaluations & Immunizations

All U-M travelers are strongly encouraged to make appointments with their family physician or University Health Service (UHS) for a physical and to determine if vaccinations are needed before travel abroad.

To ensure being seen by a medical professional, make appointments for vaccinations and physicals as soon as your travel plans are confirmed, preferably at least 6–8 weeks before departure. Please note that UHS  appointments are limited before peak travel times, and that appointments book in advance. 

• For details on how to schedule an appointment, visit the UHS Travel Clinic .
• For more information about country-specific vaccines, consult the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's interactive resource for travelers .

U-M Travel Registry

The University of Michigan is committed to support students in the event of  an unforeseen natural disaster, or political upheaval. To best assist, the University of Michigan requires students to register University-related international travel, and encourages registration of personal travel. To register your travel, please visit the Global Michigan Travel Registry website .

Emergency Contact Numbers to Know

• Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) 734.763.1131 (accepts collect calls)  
• GeoBlue Emergency Assistance +1 610.254.8771  
• GeoBlue Domestic Line +1 855.282.3517  ​ ​

​     +1 610.254.5304 (collect outside the U.S.)  

• Ross Global Initiatives Office 734.936.3917 (M–F, 8am–5pm)  

In an emergency abroad, you should

Call 911 or the local equivalent .

Contact your on-site director/staff, faculty member, or program lead

Call the Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) at 734.763.1131.

Identify yourself as a participant on a Michigan Ross program

Provide your uniqname and exact location.

Provide contact information, multiple forms if possible. In the event you are disconnected or need to be contacted again: phone number, e-mail, etc.

Tell the dispatch officer what is wrong.

Answer any additional questions.

UMPD will contact a Ross Global Initiatives staff member or UM emergency responder who will return your call immediately to provide further instructions and assistance.  

If this is a medical emergency, you should

Go to the nearest hospital or doctor, or call the local 911 equivalent.

Call your on-site director/staff, faculty member, program lead, and so on.

Contact GeoBlue who can assist and monitor medical care until the situation is resolved. GeoBlue has a 24/7 emergency assistance service: +1 610.254.8771. You may also email. GeoBlue has nurses available 24/7 to answer medical questions.

• Once the condition is stable, contact the Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) at 734.763.1131. DPSS will contact a Global Initiatives staff member or a UM emergency responder who will contact you to provide further assistance.

Main navigation

Standard practice guide policies, international travel policy, introduction.

In support of the University of Michigan’s mission, the U-M (1) recognizes that international endeavors are critical; (2) respects the academic freedom of all students, faculty, and staff to pursue international research, educational activities and service where appropriate; and (3) understands that important work may sometimes take place in international locations that pose health, safety, and security risks. The University recognizes that travelers have significant responsibility for their own health, safety, and security. The University also has an institutional interest in supporting the health, safety, and security of travelers while they are undertaking the University’s mission. This policy defines basic institutional requirements that will promote these joint interests.

Individual travelers are responsible for compliance with this international travel policy when undertaking University of Michigan Related Travel (as defined below). Units sponsoring University of Michigan Related Travel are responsible for informing travelers of this international travel policy and for facilitating compliance for individuals where appropriate. U-M units should not fund students who do not meet the requirements of this policy.

Definitions

International Travel Dean’s Designee : Within the Ann Arbor campus, an International Travel Dean’s Designee is appointed for each school and college by the respective dean or, for non-academic units, such as Athletics and Student Life, by the respective executive officer. Within the Dearborn and Flint campuses, one International Travel Dean’s Designee for the campus is appointed by the respective campus’ Provost. The International Travel Dean’s Designee serves as the U-M Ann Arbor Provost Office’s primary point of contact for verifying unit-level financial and academic approval for U-M related group travel abroad and determining “essential travel” if necessary. The Provost Office will verify an International Travel Dean’s Designee’s approval for group travel during the Safety Plan review process and will contact the International Travel Dean’s Designee when questions related to the essential nature of travel arise.

Travel Abroad : Travel Abroad refers to U-M Related Travel (UMRT) to destinations outside the Fifty States of the United States of America and the District of Columbia, including the high seas.

For the purposes of this policy, the definition of Travel Abroad has been expanded to include UMRT to U.S. territories (including American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the United States Minor Outlying Islands). U.S. territories are included in the Travel Abroad definition because travelers on UMRT in U.S. Territories are covered by the U-M Travel Abroad Health Insurance and its associated political and natural evacuation insurance.

U-M Travel Abroad can only occur when a traveler crosses an international border, or a U.S. Territory, for the primary purposes of conducting UMRT (see below).

U-M Managed Program : A U-M Managed Program refers to a program with a travel abroad component and participants who have applied to it through the U-M application management system that also serves as the U-M Travel Registry.

U-M Organized : An international experience is considered U-M Organized when a U-M unit, faculty, or staff member is involved in creating, funding, or approving the experience, or coordinating the application and selection of participants.

University of Michigan Related Travel (UMRT)  is defined in terms of two traveler roles:

U-M Faculty/Staff UMRT:

Faculty or Staff members who travel abroad within the context of their job responsibilities are considered to be on UMRT. If faculty or staff members receive U-M funds or U-M managed funds for travel, then they are on UMRT, but such funding is not necessary to identify a trip as UMRT (for example, a faculty member traveling to deliver an invited presentation in their field, supported by the international host, is considered to be on UMRT). While a trip might include personal activities outside of the traveler’s job responsibilities, if the primary purpose is work-related, the trip is UMRT.

Non-UM faculty and non-U-M staff collaborating with U-M Faculty and Staff abroad, who are working in the context of their non-UM responsibilities, are not considered U-M Faculty or Staff unless they have an appointment through U-M.

Student UMRT:

A person who travels abroad in a Student participant role who meets one or more of the following criteria is on UMRT:

• Receives U-M in-residence credit for the experience.
• Travels on a program or trip that is U-M Organized or is a U-M Managed Program.
• Participates in a travel abroad experience that is necessary to achieve a degree requirement. This could include experiences such as degree milestones, dissertation field research, presenting research at a conference or meeting, practica, internships, etc.
• Travels on a program or trip organized by a Sponsored Student Organization or a program or trip that is formally sanctioned by a U-M unit as a Sponsored Event.
• Receives funding from a U-M unit or receives funds managed by the U-M for their travel, which includes research and grant funds.

Note 1 : Student UMRT can include individuals enrolled as students at the U-M and also individuals not enrolled as U-M students but who participate in a U-M Managed Program or an experience that is U-M Organized; such persons are designated Students within this policy.

Note 2 : The signing of study abroad participation forms by a U-M academic advisor or other U-M staff alone (i.e., without more) does not make the travel UMRT.

Note 3 : Receiving transfer credit for the experience does not make the travel UMRT.

Group Travel Abroad: Group Travel Abroad refers to U-M Related Travel that meets all of the following criteria:

• The travel is UMRT.
• The group consists of a cohort of Student participants with similar program experience dates, itinerary, and related activities at the destination.
• A group leader is assuming some responsibility for the group, such as supporting students and serving as the point of contact in the event of an emergency. The group leader can be a U-M student or a faculty or staff member who is leading the group within the context of their job responsibilities.
• A U-M program organizer or a U-M group leader exercises some element of control by making travel logistic decisions on behalf of the participants, such as choosing accommodations and/or modes of transportation.

Group Travel Abroad may be for study, research, joint project work, fieldwork, athletic or other competitions, musical performances, Sponsored Student Organization travel that are formally sanctioned by a U-M unit as a Sponsored Event, or similar University activities.

For Group Travel Abroad, the sponsoring Unit or the leader of the group is responsible for completing requirements described in Section E, including completing a Safety Plan for Group on behalf of group participants if necessary.

Though faculty, staff, and students need to complete U-M requirements for conference travel that is UMRT, conference travel is not considered Group Travel Abroad since conference attendees have the ability to choose their day-to-day activities even if traveling with other U-M Students, Faculty, or Staff, and are staying at the same conference hotel.

University Travel Registry

All Faculty, Staff, and Students on UMRT must register their travel in the University Travel Registry before the expected departure date. Whenever possible, travelers are expected to update the registration, including travel dates, destinations, and on-site contact information, if updated information becomes available.

The University Travel Registry is a confidential and secure database for maintaining key travel information for Faculty, Staff, and Students traveling off-campus. The contents of the registry are kept in accordance with the University of Michigan’s privacy notice. The Vice Provost designated as the Senior International Officer, on behalf of the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, is responsible for the overall management of the University Travel Registry. The Registry supports domestic travel in addition to travel abroad, as well as registration for both UMRT and personal purposes.

The University Travel Registry is the official and authoritative source of traveler information gathered for the purpose of locating and communicating with travelers, responding to emergencies, and managing media and public relations during critical incidents abroad. Anonymous, aggregated data within the Travel Registry also serves as the central source of travel abroad data for institutional reporting.

Individual travelers are responsible for verifying their travel registration through either self-registration or coordination with their sponsoring units. Units sponsoring UMRT are responsible for informing travelers of this travel registration requirement and for facilitating compliance for individuals where appropriate.

The travel registry can be accessed at http://global.umich.edu/travel-resources/register-your-travel/ .

Travel Abroad Health Insurance

Faculty and Staff traveling abroad on UMRT are covered under the University’s blanket travel abroad health insurance policy. See the University Health Service Travel Abroad Health Insurance page for details.

All Students on UMRT are required to have travel abroad health insurance coverage from the University’s authorized vendor, regardless of whether the Student traveler has other health care coverage. Student travelers are responsible for verifying travel abroad health insurance coverage either through self-enrollment or coordination with their sponsoring units. Units sponsoring UMRT are responsible for informing travelers of this travel abroad health insurance requirement and for facilitating compliance for individuals where appropriate.

Find full information about the University’s authorized vendor and coverage at: https://www.uhs.umich.edu/tai/ .

Emergency Evacuation Insurance and Support

All Students, Faculty, and Staff traveling abroad for UMRT are covered under a blanket policy for emergency evacuation due to political unrest or natural disaster. The decision to activate this evacuation support is made by the evacuation insurance provider in coordination with the designated administrator/s within the Office of the Provost.

Evacuation support relies on U-M Faculty, Staff, and Students registering their travel. This support is limited or not available in some locations due to restrictions imposed by the insurance provider and international assistance providers. Such locations will be designated with University Travel Restrictions (see section D below) and the lack of evacuation capabilities will be noted within that country’s page on Global Michigan . Faculty, Staff, and Students traveling to a country with limited evacuation support will be required to complete a Safety Plan to be reviewed by the International Travel Oversight Committee (ITOC) and U-M’s international assistance provider.

Students who remain in-country after being advised to evacuate will not be eligible for University funding or academic credit related to the travel experience and may be subject to disciplinary action.

Higher Risk Travel Designations

The University will conduct ongoing reviews and designate locations that present particular risks as U-M Travel Warning, U-M Travel Restriction, U-M Travel Health Medium Risk, or U-M Travel Health High Risk designations.

The Vice Provost designated as the Senior International Officer, on behalf of the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, is responsible for determining which destinations are under a U-M Travel Warning or U-M Travel Restriction. This decision will be informed by recommendations from the ITOC. ITOC recommendations will consider health, security, and safety factors in that destination, as well as the availability of health and evacuation support under the University’s insurance policies.

The Chief International Safety Officer, on behalf of the Vice Provost designated as the Senior International Office, is responsible for determining which destinations are under a U-M Travel Health Medium Risk or U-M Travel Health High Risk designation. Travel health risk designations solely consider health factors in that destination.

The University may alert travelers and impose additional requirements for Faculty, Staff, or Students seeking to travel to destinations where health, safety, or security risks are determined to be significant and require unusual caution and risk mitigation strategies. For example, travel to destinations experiencing serious outbreaks of infectious disease, war or violent civil unrest may be temporarily prohibited.

U-M higher risk travel designations are published publicly on http://global.umich.edu/travel-resources/warnings-restrictions/ , along with instructions for country-specific travel requirements.

University Travel Warnings

These are destinations where there is an elevated level of health, safety, or security risk. The following guidelines apply to U-M Travel Warning locations:

• Students cannot be required to participate in any travel abroad experience in destinations subject to a U-M Travel Warning.
• All Student UMRT to these destinations must occur under an ITOC approved safety plan. Travelers will also sign a U-M Travel Warning/Restriction Destination Liability Waiver. These steps must be completed in M-Compass as described under each country’s Travel Designation page on Global Michigan: http://global.umich.edu/travel-resources/warnings-restrictions/ .
• Students, faculty, and staff may be evacuated from these destinations if deemed necessary.
• Faculty or staff managing or organizing Student Group Travel Abroad are responsible for developing and seeking ITOC approval of safety plans.
• Units funding Student travel to Travel Warning destinations are responsible for developing and seeking ITOC approval of safety plans.
• Units funding Student travel to Travel Warning destinations are encouraged to verify ITOC approval of plans before disbursing funds.

U-M Travel Restrictions

These are destinations where there are extreme health, safety or security risks. UMRT will generally be prohibited. The following guidelines apply to University Travel Restriction locations:

• Undergraduate students may not travel for UMRT to destinations that are under a University Travel Restriction.
• Graduate students cannot be required to participate in any travel abroad experience in destinations subject to a University Travel Restriction.
• All Student UMRT to these destinations must occur under an ITOC approved safety plan, either submitted individually or as a group. Travelers will also sign a University Travel Warning / Restriction Destination Liability Waiver. These steps must be completed in M-Compass as described under each country’s Warning & Restriction page on Global Michigan: http://global.umich.edu/travel-resources/warnings-restrictions/
• Students, Faculty, and Staff may be evacuated from these destinations if deemed necessary.
• Faculty or staff managing or organizing graduate Student Group Travel abroad are responsible for developing and seeking ITOC approval of safety plans.
• Units funding Student travel to Travel Restriction destinations are responsible for verifying ITOC approval of safety plans before disbursing funds.
• Due to severe security concerns, the evacuation insurance provider may have limited or no capability in some regions of Travel Restriction destinations. Though faculty and staff are not required to complete a Safety Plan, they are encouraged to complete a safety plan, which ITOC may forward to the insurance provider to ensure that evacuation capabilities are available for each exact destination on the travel itinerary.

Note: Travelers should not invest non-refundable resources in their travel until the Safety Plan is approved. For example, travelers should not purchase non-refundable flights before Safety Plan approval in the event that the Safety Plan is denied.

U-M Travel Health Medium Risk designation

• All Student UMRT to these destinations must occur under an approved Travel Health Plan. Travelers will also sign a U-M Travel Warning/Restriction Destination Liability Waiver. These steps must be completed in M-Compass as described under each country’s Travel Designation page on Global Michigan: http://global.umich.edu/travel-resources/warnings-restrictions/ .
• Faculty or Staff managing or organizing Student Group Travel Abroad are responsible for developing and seeking ITOC approval of Travel Health Plans.
• Units funding Student travel to U-M Travel Health Medium Risk destinations are encouraged to verify ITOC approval of Travel Health Plans before disbursing funds.

U-M Travel Health High Risk designation

• Undergraduate students may not travel for UMRT to destinations that are under a U-M Travel Health High Risk.
• Graduate students cannot be required to participate in any travel abroad experience in destinations subject to a U-M Travel Health High Risk.
• All Student UMRT to these destinations must occur under an approved Travel Health Plan. Travelers will also sign a U-M Travel Warning / Restriction Destination Liability Waiver. These steps must be completed in M-Compass as described under each country’s Travel Designation page on Global Michigan: http://global.umich.edu/travel-resources/warnings-restrictions/ .
• Faculty or Staff managing or organizing graduate Student Group Travel Abroad are responsible for developing and seeking ITOC approval of Travel Health Plans.
• Units funding Student Travel to U-M High Risk destinations are encouraged to verify ITOC approval of Travel Health Plans before disbursing funds.

Note :  Travelers should not invest non-refundable resources in their travel until the Safety Plan or Travel Health Plan is approved. For example, travelers should not purchase non-refundable flights before Safety Plan / Travel Health Plan approval in the event that the plan is denied.

Group Travel Abroad

For Group Travel Abroad, risk is magnified by the increasing numbers of participants and the organizer or leader is assuming some responsibility for others within the cohort.

Group Travel Abroad that is organized or managed by a U-M unit must be approved in advance by the International Travel Dean’s Designee of each academic or business unit in which the program is based. Sponsoring units or leaders are responsible for:

• For travel to a U-M Travel Warning or Restriction, or a U-M Travel Health Medium or High Risk destination, the sponsoring unit or the group leader must submit a Safety Plan for Group Travel and receive ITOC approval in order to travel. Individual group participants do not need to complete an individual safety plan or travel health plan for group travel.
• Obtaining approval from the International Travel Dean’s Designee as specified by the sponsoring School/College/Unit.
• Ensuring that all University guidance relative to travel abroad is followed, including meeting requirements relative to U-M Travel Warnings and U-M Travel Restrictions, U-M Travel Health Medium Risks and U-M Travel Health High Risk designations, and following the additional requirements for Group Travel Abroad as detailed on Global Michigan.
• Following best practices for: health, safety, and security planning; pre-departure orientation; on-site activities; crisis management, and post-trip review.
• Following any additional unit-level guidance or requirements for travel. Requirements may include signing and adhering to any documents detailing program leader responsibilities.
• Faculty and staff members leading a U-M Managed Program are required to attend a program leader workshop, organized by the sponsoring unit of the Provost Office, within three years prior to the intended travel date to stay informed of changing travel conditions, policies, and emergency response protocols.
• Program leaders who have contracted a third-party provider to provide 24/7 in-country emergency support and do not have any emergency support responsibilities are exempt from the program leader workshop requirement.
• Adhering to the sponsoring unit directions when performing duties in the official capacity as a program leader.

SPG 601.31 was revised to reflect current U-M's travel risk management practices and the evolving travel environment, including adding and updated definitions, adding new risk designations, and updating the section on group travel abroad.

Apply for a new national championship PCard or Travel Card

Sep 11, 2024 | News

Procurement Services has partnered with JPMorgan Chase to offer a limited edition PCard and Travel Card that celebrates the football team’s 2023 National Championship. 

Why use a PCard or Travel Card?

There are many benefits to using a PCard or Travel Card for business and travel-related expenses—both for you and U-M. Using a PCard or Travel Card:

• Provides a more secure form of payment, with the ability to track issues and address any improper or fraudulent charges with the support of JP Morgan Chase
• Eliminates the need for employees to use personal resources and seek reimbursement for U-M business purchases
• Makes submitting expense reports easier, with most expense information pre-populated and already attached to your user profile
• Eliminates the risk of taxation on late-submitted expenses
• Offers faster, simpler payment to suppliers (vs. a purchase order and invoice)
• Provides more accurate data reporting

Who should apply for a PCard or Travel Card?

Employees should apply for a PCard if they are making purchases on behalf of their department, are submitting reimbursements for hosting, supplies, and/or travel for business purposes. While all employees with a regular, active appointment are eligible to apply for a PCard or Travel Card, please check with your department, as it may have specific guidelines on who can apply for a PCard or Travel Card.

Examples of appropriate PCard purchases:

• Travel expenses (e.g., hotel, ground transportation, baggage fees, gas for rental vehicles, train fare, car rental, conference fees and travel parking)
• Conference fees
• Memberships, dues, and subscriptions
• Office supplies (not including furniture)

You can find the detailed steps, including links to training, resources, and the application form on our website . 

Finance Customer Care

Phone: (734) 764-8212, prompt 2 Fax: (734) 615-6235

Customer service is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Procurement Services 7071 Wolverine Tower 3003 South State Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1282 By appointment only

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Lsa international travel, travel with a plan .

Whether you are a student, staff, or faculty here at U-M, your safety is important to us. Our LSA health & safety professionals are here to help provide guidance & resources to help make your travel and smooth as possible.  

Take some time to register your travel, make sure your location is not on the U-M's travel restriction list, and feel free to reach out to us if you need any assistance!

While we provide services for LSA students, staff, and faculty, we encourage other schools/colleges to utilize our resources as a way to better prepare you for your time abroad.

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Is Santa Clara Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

California : Safety by City

• Bakersfield
• Chino Hills
• Chula Vista
• Garden Grove
• Huntington Beach
• Lake Forest
• Los Angeles
• Mission Viejo
• Moreno Valley
• Mountain View
• Newport Beach
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• Santa Clara
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• Santa Monica
• Simi Valley
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• West Covina

Smack dab in the center of Silicon Valley is Santa Clara, California.

Intel and Nvidia call this place home, and during your visit, you might want to do so as well.

This is a place with great neighborhoods and a lot to do before you even cross over into San Jose to the west.

Football fans know this city well, as it’s home to the San Francisco 49ers, who play at Levi’s Stadium.

Whether you want to take in a game, explore the wild, shop at a major center, or enjoy an amusement park, it’s all here in Santa Clara.

This is a diverse community with Asians making up 43% of the population.

That culture is great for foodies who want to explore the Korean Cuisine in its special neighborhood.

There’s just about any kind of international cuisine you can imagine throughout Santa Clara.

Santa Clara is known as The Mission City and as we go through the safety advice, we’ll explain why.

• Warnings & Dangers in Santa Clara

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low overall risk here. This is a safe community with a lot of safe options.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

You've got the Valley Transit Authority (VTA) for bus service and light rail that runs through all of Silicon Valley. The Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART) is not connected to Santa Clara as of early 2022. There are plans for expansion down the road. Taxis and rideshares are safely available too.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

With just 10 reports of pickpockets and purse snatching, that's a low risk. The biggest thefts were from cars, so keep it locked up and empty, with all valuables being inside your hotel room or with you, if needed.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Santa Clara is in a highly active earthquake zone. You might feel a few rumbles, but to people in this area, it's as common as a severe thunderstorm in the Midwest. There is a chance for a major earthquake at all times, but it's just a commonly accepted risk here. That's a medium risk just due to the potential for a big quake, and it means you should study earthquake safety before you go.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

There were just a handful of highway robberies in Santa Clara in 2020, so that's a low risk. Cars are more likely to get "mugged" than people.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

This is a critical area for the IT security and national safety of the United States, so that's going to come with medium risk. Homeland Security does focus extra attention on these bigger target areas, so you don't need to do anything additional except stay vigilant and if you see something suspicious, report it.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

There are a handful of scams in this area, but they focus on locals. One to be wary of is a person claiming to be the mayor and saying you've won a lottery or jackpot. Don't fall for it. There's a low risk this will happen to you, but never believe something that seems too good to be true.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

No part of the crime numbers shows this city is any more dangerous for women than men. There's a low risk.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The Bay area is known for having some of the best tap water in the country and Santa Clara falls in line with that. All water meets or exceeds standards and is tested several times daily. There's a low risk.

• Safest Places to Visit in Santa Clara

Great America Park is a wonderful way to spend the day.

There’s a lot of something for everyone in the family, from death-defying rollercoasters to water rides to carnival games.

If you have the time, can you try one of the French Quarter Funnel Cakes for me?

Get into the sporting mood by taking in a game or event at Levi’s Stadium.

This is the home of the San Francisco 49ers.

Even on non-game days, you can check out the on-site museum with the history of the football team.

Techies will love the Intel Museum.

It’s closed on Sundays, but open free to the public every other day, except holidays.

Here you can see the history of Intel technology throughout the years.

Santa Clara has many unique communities to visit. Santana Row offers classic San Francisco-style charm on a tree-lined street loaded with shopping and dining choices.

The Rivermark neighborhood is great to drive around and see the different styles of homes and condos while having unique restaurants.

Franklin Square offers a farmer’s market on Saturdays with some fresh-picked fruit from the fields of Northern California in a laid-back setting.

If you need to get in some shopping, The Great Mall is one of the biggest and best choices.

This is an interior outlet mall with more than 200 stores.

Santa Clara Town Centre has more of the familiar brands with national food chains tucked in.

No matter what religion you are, seeing the missions of California is just so invigorating.

The Mission Santa Clara de Asis is located on the grounds of Santa Clara University, one of the oldest higher education options in the state.

This mission has been destroyed and rebuilt no less than five times of its lifespan, and is why the city is known as The Mission City.

• Places to Avoid in Santa Clara

Crime maps show the area just to the west of the San Jose airport has the highest number of crimes.

There’s a stretch along Highway 101 which has crime, but it’s pretty common for areas along freeways to have crime.

Neighbors describe the area as having “pockets” of less desirable areas, but not “bad neighborhoods.”

As far as where you stay and where you should avoid, one big complaint I saw online is the train and/or rail line noise.

You should ask when you are considering booking if there is:

• Freeway noise
• Train noise
• Lightrail noise
• Airport noise

Santa Clara is right next to the larger city of San Jose, so you might get some spillover of criminals from there.

It’s not the gang-infested city some places in Northern California can be, but it does have a little more edge to it than nearby Sunnyvale.

The biggest complaints I hear from neighbors there are the petty thefts like car break-ins, vandalism, and a few home burglaries.

This is a city that hasn’t had more than three homicides in any year all the way back to 2010.

• Safety Tips for Traveling to Santa Clara
• Text BADWEATHER to 888777. This will get you weather alerts right to your mobile device from the Santa Clara County Emergency Operations team.
• The power might go off during thunderstorms, but it’s not what you think. The utility pre-emptively turns off the power in what’s called a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). This is to prevent the winds or lightning from knocking down power poles or transformers that will then start a wildfire. Many of the big first in California are started by power line equipment. It’s inconvenient, yes, but the people of Northern California are used to it. Keep your devices charged as much as you can here in case you are affected by a PSPS.
• You’ll want to keep the 511 app and CalTrans information handy if you are leaving Santa Clara to visit the greater Bay area. Traffic here is insane. Any help you can get will be very appreciated and CalTrans does a great job of updating incidents as they happen.
• The police department updates crime statistics monthly and posts them online, being very transparent with the crime landscape. This is a great place to check before your trip to see if there’s a crime wave happening before your visit.
• Keep your wallet in your front pocket instead of your back pocket. It seems this advice from several police stations in my recent research. Wear pants that have a button, so you can button in that wallet pocket.
• If you do find yourself the victim of a non-violent crime, you can report it online without having to call a police officer and fill out a report. This is helpful, so you can continue with your trip and not get delayed.
• You can also report crimes you see happening through an online portal. This is for things like graffiti, lost property, or fraud.
• The Santa Clara Police use Nixle to send out alerts to the community. Once you sign up, you can see incidents like missing people, standoffs, accidents that shutdown roads, etc. This is a great tool for getting to know the dangers of any community quickly.
• If you get a rental car, ask if you can get one with an alarm. Car break-ins are one of the most likely crimes in Santa Clara, according to the police department. It’s important to break the habit of stashing things in the trunk throughout the day and then leaving the vehicle unattended. All valuables should be taken back to the residence or hotel for safe keeping.
• It might be worth taking some time to learn basic Korean words before you go.  Koreatown is a very popular part of Santa Clara. I was going to give you a few of those words here, but, the phonetics are tricky, so a YouTube video or a training service might be a better option.
• So... How Safe Is Santa Clara Really?

I’ve done a lot of research on safety in cities in my career, and I can say generally I see crimes rates that look like this:

• Violent Crime: 1 in 200 chance
• Theft Crime: 1 in 50 chance

Here’s how Santa Clara compares:

• Violent Crime: 1 in 619
• Theft Crime: 1 in 55

This isn’t a place where crazy violent crimes happen often.

It’s an upscale community with an average income of $126,000 and people live in a home that costs, again on average, $1 million.

It’s definitely a busy side of Silicon Valley, with as much for tourists to do as there is for locals.

You’re also nestled up to San Jose, and right by the airport.

That could bring more crime.

Even the people who discuss their beloved city on social media say the worst crimes they see are car break-ins and vandalism, and it doesn’t seem to bother them too much.

• How Does Santa Clara Compare?
• Useful Information

Visa requirements are handled at the airport. No other identification is needed to get into Santa Clara.

You'll use the U.S. Dollar here. There's little need for carrying around cash, and it's safer if you just use a credit card for purchases. Notify your bank before you go so you can set a purchase limit notification.

Just gorgeous weather is slated throughout the year. In winter, you'll get highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s, so bring a coat or jacket, depending on how "cold" you think that is. Summers warm up to the 80s for highs but drop back down to the 50s for lows. If you don't have the space for it, it's okay not to bring any rain gear. The city doesn't get much on average.

The San Jose airport is really close, just 4 miles away. San Francisco's airport is going to be a further drive, around 40 minutes, but plan for an hour to include traffic. You don't drive over any bridges to get there (if you happen to be scared of bridges, like me.) Oakland's airport is about 45 minutes away. You have a choice of driving over one of two bridges if you like them, or you can stay on land the whole time.

Travel Insurance

You'll want travel insurance for your trip, as fog can easily disrupt traffic in this area and cancel or delay flights.

Santa Clara Weather Averages (Temperatures)

• Average High/Low Temperature

California - Safety by City

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Article Contents

• Santa Clara : Safety by City
• Overall Risk
• Transport & Taxis Risk
• Pickpockets Risk
• Natural Disasters Risk
• Mugging Risk
• Terrorism Risk
• Women Travelers Risk
• Tap Water Risk
• Weather Averages (Temperatures)
• User Reviews
• Share Your Experience

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What are the requirements and risks associated with your travel abroad destination? Find your destination on the world map or in the drop-down menu. Then, review the destination’s risk rating level and corresponding eligibility and requirements for U-M related travel.

See U-M Travel Health Plan & Safety Plan process for additional details.

KEY / LEGEND

Student eligibility by map color.

• Global Engagement
• International Students
• Current International Students

If you need an updated travel signature on your I-20:  Email [email protected] or schedule an in-person advising appointment .

If emailing, the email subject line should be "Updated Travel Signature . " In the email body, include:

• Your full legal name
• Your SCU ID
• Your current SCU or SCU alumni email address (if you are an alumni and do not have an alumni email address, create one through the SCU alumni website )
• Your date of departure from the U.S. and your planned date of re-entry (if any)
• If you are on OPT or STEM OPT extension: your employer's name and start date.
• Prior to sending your email, you should make sure that your Workday record is properly updated .

We will create an updated I-20 for you with a new travel signature and will email it to your SCU email address.

Enrolled F-1 students:  1 year

Alumni on F-1 OPT or STEM OPT Extension:  6 months

J-1 or J-2 Exchange Visitors:  1 year

F-1 Enrolled Students

Current students are free to travel during academic breaks, including weekends, Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Spring Break, and Summer Break. 

When entering the United States, F-1 students should carry the following documents:

• Passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry
• Valid F-1 visa stamp
• Valid, up-to-date I-20 with valid travel signature (the travel signature is on page 2 of your I-20 and is valid for 1 year)
• Documents showing you are a student
• For example: your SCU student ID, a print out of your unofficial transcript, class schedule for the upcoming term
• Documents showing your ability to pay for tuition and living expenses
• For example: proof that you either have already paid tuition or proof that you have the money to pay tuition for the upcoming term

If you do not have a valid F-1 visa stamp or if your F-1 visa stamp will expire prior to your desired entry into the U.S., please email [email protected] or schedule an advising appointment   before booking any travel plans.

Email [email protected] or schedule an appointment .

Generally we do not recommend travel during the academic term. F-1 students are expected to not only enroll in, but also attend a full course of study. Additionally, attendance and participation are integral to your classes and required for your academic success.

If you have an urgent situation that requires you to travel outside of the U.S. for an extended period of time, please email [email protected] or schedule advising  to discuss this with our team.

F-1 Alumni on OPT or STEM OPT Extension

Alumni are free to travel at any point in their practical training period.

When entering the U.S. F-1 alumni on OPT or STEM OPT Extension should carry the following documents:

• Most recently issued I-20 with valid travel signature (the travel signature is on page 2 of your I-20 and if you have completed your degree, the signature is valid for 6 months )
• Valid OPT or STEM OPT EAD Card(s)
• Proof of OPT / STEM OPT engagement
• For example: job offer, an employment verification letter, and / or a few recent pay stubs

If your travel is more than 30 days, you should collect documentation from your employer approving your travel. 

If you are employed , please be sure that you have properly reported employment to our office via our OPT Reporting Portal .

If you do not have a valid F-1 visa stamp or if your F-1 visa stamp will expire prior to your desired entry into the U.S., please email [email protected] or schedule an advising appointment before booking any travel plans.

You must have a valid OPT or STEM OPT EAD in hand in order to re-enter the U.S. after the program end date listed on your I-20.

We don’t recommend leaving the U.S. while your OPT application is pending and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agrees with us . If USCIS needs extra documents to approve your case and issues a Request for Evidence (RFE), you may have a hard time responding while you are outside of the U.S. If your case is approved while you’re outside the U.S., you will need to have the EAD card in your hand to get back in the U.S. and USCIS will not mail the card to an address abroad.

We don’t recommend leaving the U.S. while your STEM OPT extension application is pending and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agrees with us . If USCIS needs extra documents to approve your case and issues a Request for Evidence (RFE), you may have a hard time responding while you are outside of the U.S. If your case is approved while you’re outside the U.S., you will need to have the EAD card in your hand to get back in the U.S. and USCIS will not mail the card to an address abroad.

In order to re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status after travel abroad, you must carry the appropriate travel documents. Our team is happy to answer questions about your F-1 student status and record. Typically it is not recommended to travel while an H-1B Change of Status is pending. Further questions related to your H-1B and how travel can impact your H-1B filing should be directed to a qualified immigration attorney.

J-1 Exchange Visitors

Non-degree students, professors and research scholars.

J-1 Students are free to travel during academic breaks, including weekends, Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Spring Break and Summer Break. 

J-1 Scholars are free to travel at any time during their program but should not be outside of the U.S. for more than 30 days at a time. If you must be outside the U.S. for more than 30 days, contact [email protected] for guidance.

When entering the U.S. J-1 Exchange Visitors (students and scholars) should carry the following documents:

• Valid J-1 visa stamp
• Most recently issued DS-2019 with valid travel signature (the travel signature is on page 1 of your DS-2019; the signature is valid for 1 year)
• Proof of your program participation 
• Student examples: your admission letter, your class schedule
• Scholar examples: your invitation or employment offer letter
• Proof of your health insurance
• Proof of funding documents

If you do not have a valid J-1 visa stamp, or if your J-1 visa stamp will expire prior to your desired entry into the U.S. please contact our office for advising before booking any travel plans.

• Students, email [email protected] (include your full name and that you are in J-1 status in the email)
• Scholars, email [email protected]  (include your full name in the email)

If you are missing any documents or have questions about travel, please contact our office for advising:

• Scholars, email scholars @scu.edu (include your full name in the email)

F-2 Dependents

F-2 dependents are free to travel at any time during their program. There is no time limitation to the duration they can be outside the U.S. F-2 dependents are not eligible to enter the U.S. if the F-1 primary student is not travelling with them or already in the U.S.

When entering the U.S. F-2 dependents should carry the following documents:

• F-2 Spouse: Proof of Marital Relationship (such as, marriage certificate, with translation)
• F-2 Child: Proof of Parental Relations (such as, birth certificate, with translation)
• Proof of funding for time in the U.S. (must be dated within 3 months and in English)
• Proof of the family member’s F-1 status
• Copy of F-1 student's most recent SCU I-20
• Copy of F-1 student's passport and F-1 visa stamps
• Copy of F-1 student's I-94 (print here: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/ )
• If the F-1 student is a currently enrolled student: 
• Copy of the admission letter
• Enrollment verification letter or transcripts
• Class schedule print out
• If the F-1 student has graduated and is on OPT / STEM OPT: 
• Copy of your OPT / STEM OPT EAD card(s)
• Letter from your company verifying the OPT / STEM OPT employment
• 3 Pay-stubs showing the OPT / STEM OPT employment 

J-2 Dependents

J-2 dependents are free to travel at any time during their program. There is no time limitation to the duration they can be outside the U.S. J-2 dependents are not eligible to enter the U.S. if the J-1 primary student or scholar is not travelling with them or already in the U.S.

When entering the U.S. J-2 dependents should carry the following documents:

• Valid J-2 visa stamp
• Most recently issued J-2 DS-2019 with valid travel signature (the travel signature is on page 1 of your DS-2019; the signature is valid for 1 year)
• J-2 Spouse: Proof of Marital Relationship (such as, marriage certificate, with translation)
• J-2 Child: Proof of Parental Relations (such as, birth certificate, with translation)
• Proof of health insurance
• J-2 EAD Card (if any)
• Proof of the family member’s J-1 status:
• Copy of J-1's DS-2019
• Copy of J-1's passport and visa stamp
• Proof of J-1's health insurance
• J-1 student documents: your admission letter, your class schedule
• J-1 scholar documents: your invitation or employment offer letter

I-94 Admission Record

Once you re-enter the U.S. we recommend that you download and save or print your new I-94 Admission Record which proves that you were properly admitted to the U.S. Typically your I-94 Admission Record is automatically updated each time you enter the U.S. and should be available within 24 hours of admission.  If you are unable to retrieve your I-94 within 24 hours of admission, or notice error please contact our office via email at [email protected].

If you will be driving or walking into the U.S. from Mexico or Canada rather than flying into the country, you will need to manually request an I-94 Admission Record  before you enter the U.S.

F-1 Visa Renewal

The F-1 visa stamp needs to be valid when you are entering the U.S., however, it is allowed to expire while you are here. You only need to renew the visa if it expires and you depart the U.S., since it would need to be valid in order for you to re-enter.

We advise against renewing your F-1 visa stamp before it has expired. If you can return to the U.S. before the visa expires, then you should wait to renew it until the next time you travel internationally.

If you plan to travel after your visa stamp expires, you will need to plan to be outside the U.S. long enough to renew it before you are able to return. The best option for renewing your visa would be to do so the next time you are in your home country. We do not generally recommend applying for the visa renewal in a third country as this poses a higher risk for F-1 denial. The best time for visa renewal, if you are a currently enrolled student, is during summer break since it allows for more time in case of administrative processing.

More information about the visa application process and the possibility of mail in or drop box can be found on the designated website of the Embassy or Consulate that you will visit. You must be in your country and should not mail in your passport from the US.

Please review the information above for more details regarding travel guidance and the list of documents we recommend students carry with them.

Prior to your visa interview you should collect originals and copies of all supporting documents. We recommend that you carry:

• Proof of DS-160 Visa Application Submission
• Proof Visa Fee Payment
• Proof of funding for your time in the U.S. (must be in English, must be dated within the last 3 months)
• Proof that you are an SCU student (transcript)
• Proof that you have financial, physical, and familial ties to your home country
• Proof that you have financial, physical and familial ties to your home country
• OPT/STEM OPT EAD card
• Proof that you are engaging in OPT/STEM OPT (job offer letter, employment verification letter, pay stubs)

What To Expect When Entering The U.S.

Please visit our Arrival and Getting to SCU page for more information about what to expect when entering the U.S. and going through immigration inspection with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

If you have additional questions or need travel advising, please book an appointment . We wish you safe travels.

US immigration regulations are complex and change frequently.  The University strives to maintain a website that is both current and helpful, however, Santa Clara University is not responsible for students maintaining lawful immigration status; this is the responsibility of the student.  Further, resources and links do not constitute endorsement by Santa Clara University.

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Russia Travel Advisory

Travel advisory june 27, 2024, russia - level 4: do not travel.

Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.

Do not travel to Russia due to the consequences of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces. U.S. citizens may face harassment or detention by Russian security officials, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, limited flights into and out of Russia, and the possibility of terrorism. The U.S. Embassy has limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia. The Department has determined that there is a continued risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by Russian authorities. U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Russia should leave immediately.

The U.S. government has limited ability to help U.S. citizens in Russia, especially outside of Moscow. The U.S. Embassy is operating with reduced staffing, and the Russian government has restricted travel for embassy personnel. Furthermore, all U.S. consulates in Russia have suspended operations, including consular services.

There have been reports of drone attacks and explosions near the border with Ukraine as well as in Moscow, Kazan, and St. Petersburg. In an emergency, you should follow instructions from local authorities and seek shelter.

Russia may refuse to recognize your U.S. citizenship if you are a dual U.S.-Russian citizen or have a claim to Russian citizenship. Russia has denied consular officers visits to detained dual U.S.-Russian citizens. The Russian government has forced citizens with dual nationality to join the Russian military and prevented them from leaving the country. In 2022, the Russian government mobilized citizens for its invasion of Ukraine. Military conscription continues.

In Russia, the rights to peaceful assembly and free speech are not always protected. U.S. citizens should avoid protests and taking photos of security staff at these events. Russian authorities have arrested U.S. citizens who joined protests. Moreover, there are many reports of Russians being detained for social media posts.

U.S. citizens should know that U.S. credit and debit cards no longer work in Russia. Due to sanctions, sending electronic money transfers from the U.S. to Russia is nearly impossible.

Commercial flight options are minimal and are often unavailable on short notice. If you wish to depart Russia, you should make independent arrangements. The U.S. Embassy has limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in leaving the country, and transportation options may suddenly become even more restricted.

Click  here  for Information for U.S. Citizens Seeking to Depart Russia.

U.S. Embassy staff generally are not allowed to fly on Russian airlines due to safety concerns. Recently, the FAA downgraded Russia's air safety rating from Category 1 to Category 2. Additionally, the FAA banned U.S. flights in some Russian areas, including the Moscow Flight Information Region (FIR), the Samara FIR (UWWW), and the Rostov-na-Donu (URRV) FIR within 160NM of the boundaries of the Dnipro (UKDV) Flight Information Regions. Check the FAA's Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Notices for more information.

Country Summary: 

Russian officials have interrogated and threatened U.S. citizens without cause. This includes former and current U.S. government and military personnel and private U.S. citizens engaged in business. U.S. citizens may become victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion.

Russian authorities may not notify the U.S. Embassy about the detention of a U.S. citizen and may delay U.S. consular assistance. Russian security services also target foreign and international organizations they consider “undesirable.”

Russian security services have arrested U.S. citizens on false charges, denied them fair treatment, and convicted them without credible evidence. Furthermore, Russian authorities have opened questionable investigations against U.S. citizens engaged in religious activity. U.S. citizens should avoid travel to Russia.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has destabilized security in southwestern Russia. In October 2022, the Russian government declared martial law in the following border areas with Ukraine: Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Rostov, and Krasnodar. Under martial law, authorities can set curfews, seize property, and restrict movement. The Russian government may detain foreigners, forcibly relocate residents, and limit public gatherings. U.S. citizens should avoid all travel to these areas.

Russian authorities have questioned, detained, and arrested people for “acting against Russia's interests.” Local authorities have targeted people for posting on social media or supporting "anti-Russian" groups and punished individuals for criticizing the government or military. The Russian government's current "LGBT propaganda" law bans discussion of LGBTQI+ related topics. In November 2023, the Supreme Court labeled the so-called "international LGBT movement" as extremist. This decision effectively made it a crime to support the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons in Russia.

Terrorists continue to plan attacks in Russia. The March 2024 Crocus City Hall incident proved they can strike suddenly. Terrorists may target tourist areas, transport hubs, and markets. They may also target government buildings, hotels, clubs, restaurants, and places of worship. Parks, events, schools, and airports are also potential targets.  U.S. government employees under Embassy (Chief of Mission) security responsibility are not permitted to travel to the North Caucasus, including Chechnya and Mt. Elbrus. U.S. citizens should avoid travel to those areas.

The international community does not recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea and does not acknowledge Russia’s purported annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya. Russia staged its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in part, from occupied Crimea and there is a heavy Russian military presence in these areas. There is intense fighting across these regions and Russian authorities there have abused both foreigners and locals. Authorities have specifically targeted individuals who are seen as challenging Russia’s authority.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv administers consular services to U.S. citizens in Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya. However, the conflict limits the Embassy's ability to help U.S. citizens in these areas.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Russia.

If you decide to travel to Russia:

• Read the information on what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in an emergency overseas .
• Consider the risks involved in having dual U.S.- Russian nationality.
• Have a contingency plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government help. Review the Traveler’s Checklist .
• Follow news for any important events and update your plans based on the new information.
• Ensure travel documents are valid and easily accessible.
• Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas .
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This will allow you to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the Country Security Report for Russia.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

Travel Advisory Levels

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