Travel Policy

Yale University International Travel Policy for Yale College Students​

International travel is best undertaken by well-informed travelers. All Yale College students are responsible for their own safety when traveling internationally, whether or not their activities abroad are funded by Yale awards or accorded credit by Yale. The University strongly encourages all members of the University community who are contemplating travel abroad for educational or other purposes to review thoroughly and to familiarize themselves with the political, health, crime, and other safety-related conditions prevailing in any country and specific locations within it. In addition to web-based information that is provided by various governments and the by the US State Department, the University encourages Yale students to consult the comprehensive website offered by International SOS, a private travel emergency assistance provider engaged by Yale to support students, faculty, and staff who are traveling internationally.

The Yale University International Travel Policy for Yale College Students determines to which countries travel is restricted. It is every student’s responsibility to be aware of this policy and to stay informed of any changes in the status of their planned destination.

The following provisions apply to all Yale College students who wish to undertake international travel that is:

  • funded by Yale, or
  • awarded credit by Yale, or
  • in connection with a trip abroad by a recognized student organization, as individuals or in groups.

Refer to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and/or Embassy website for detailed entry requirements. In some cases, even if this Travel Policy allows for travel to a particular location, the country itself may limit entry based on the traveler’s citizenship and where the traveler has been, including transit countries.

A. Yale will not fund, award credit for, or otherwise sponsor or support any international undergraduate academic or extracurricular project outside of the United States when one or more of the following conditions exists:

  1. The U.S. State Department has issued a Travel Advisory Level 4 “Do Not Travel” for the country. If a Travel Advisory Level 4 is issued for a specific region of a country, then this restriction applies only to that region. Travel to other regions of the country is not restricted.
     
    NOTE: Students are responsible for carefully following all State Department Travel Advisories at all levels. For example, an advisory might issue a “Do Not Travel” advisory to specific cities in a country or highlight the dangers of undertaking particular activities in that country. Students are expected to monitor such advisories and to take appropriate precautions, avoiding any specified areas or activities.
     
  2. International SOS has issued a Travel Global Risk Rating of “Extreme” or “High” for the country or a specific region of the country.
     
    NOTE: Students are responsible for carefully following all International SOS Risk Ratings regardless of whether or not these ratings fall short of restricting student travel to the country. For example, a rating may be “Extreme” or “High” in specific cities in a country. Students are expected to monitor such advisories and to take appropriate precautions, avoiding any specified areas or activities. Please be sure to search for your destination country and review the Destination Overview, Active Alerts and Standing Travel Advice in detail.
     
  3. The student is not compliant with the university’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.
     
    NOTE: Students are responsible for carefully following all entry requirements for their destination. 

 
B. Yale reserves the right to decline to fund, award credit for, or otherwise sponsor or support any international undergraduate academic or extracurricular project in particular regions if it so decides. No exceptions to such restrictions will be made.

Travel restrictions will apply through the date of departure, and sponsoring offices or departments may enforce a travel restriction decision made in advance of the departure date. If such a restriction comes into effect after the student’s departure, the University reserves the right to end its sponsorship at that time, and to require the student to end the trip and leave the country. Such determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis.

NOTE: Sponsored* undergraduate travel to Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza is suspended until further notice. The travel restriction will remain in effect until January 31, 2025, at which time the restriction may be extended, altered, or removed. For sponsored travel eligibility of other locations in the Middle East and North Africa region, consult Section A above. 

*As described at the top of this page, sponsored undergraduate travel is awarded credit and/or funding from Yale or is in connection with a recognized organization as an individual or group. While the University does not determine restrictions outside of sponsored undergraduate travel, all Yale students, faculty, and staff who are interested in traveling to Israel should take extra consideration for entering a conflict zone, assess their personal risk tolerance, and review up-to-date information and guidance, including from the U.S. Department of State and International SOS

 
C. Before departure, students must provide the University a statement in a form provided by the University, acknowledging their understanding of the risks of such travel, affirming that they have reviewed and understand relevant safety-related materials, and assuming the risks related to their international travel.

If you were not provided with such a form by your sponsoring office or department, you can access the Waiver/Assumption of Risk and Travel Preparation Worksheet here.
 

Updated November 4, 2024

Conducting Academic Work in Cuba

Students wishing to travel to Cuba should visit the Yale University Office of the Vice President and General Counsel website to review the requirements.

Questions about the Travel Policy?

For any questions related to your travel or the Yale College Travel Policy, please contact us.

Contact OISP