For Students

International Travel for Students

USF Policy #10-507 requires that all international student-related travel must be registered and authorized by USF World. Certain policies and processes have been established to support the registration of student travelers traveling alone or joining an international experience run by someone other than USF that is not for credit. There are separate processes for USF sponsored Education Abroad Programs. For USF Health students, please view additional or complementary process steps/procedures required by the USF Health International Office. Information for students traveling abroad on non-credit activities can be found in the sections below.

Independent Student Travel. The picture shows a smiling student sitting by a purple basketed bicycle in a narrow Italian alleyway.

Independent Student Travel

If you are a student traveling with no one else from USF, including other faculty, staff, or students on a non-credit international activity tied to your status as an active USF student, then you are an individual, "Independent Traveler." Registration for independent student travel should begin 6-8 weeks before departure to allow adequate time for USF World to fully vet the experience. If travel is to a conference or familiar research location, a student may use the OneStep Conference and Express Registration process.

Group Student Travel. The picture shows a male student smiling at the camera while on a rope bridge suspended over a rocky Irish seaway.

Group Student Travel – Independent of USF Education Abroad

When 2 or more travelers are attending the same international experience, they are considered a “Group.” Certain policies and processes have been established to support the registration of student travelers and all other travelers accompanying students on a group international experience that is not for credit through USF World. Registration for group student travel – independent of Education Abroad or USF Health – should begin 6-8 weeks before departure to allow adequate time for USF World to fully vet the experience. You can read more about group student travel in this section.

International Students Traveling Abroad. The picture shows a woman with sunglasses in a canoe facing the camera with her arms outstretched. The canoe is on a jungle river

International Students Traveling Abroad

If you are leaving the U.S. for any activity related to your status as a USF student (internship, research, practicum, course credit, community service, etc.) even if to your home country, you are required to register your travel with USF World (USF Policy #10-507). This is in addition to the request on iStart for a study or research abroad approval. Additionally, please review this section if you are an international student traveling outside of the United States, for any reason, while you are a student at USF.
 

Global Risk Assessment Committee. The picture shows a woman on a swing overlooking a waterfall.

Global Risk Assessment Committee

The Global Risk Assessment Committee (GRAC) was created at USF to analyze risk and security conditions of student international travel. Proposed travel by students to countries or locations deemed High Risk by the U.S. Department of State or Centers for Disease Control must be reviewed and approved by this committee. Please begin registering your travel at least 8 weeks before departure to allow the GRAC time to review your travel.

Passport and Visa Information. The picture shows a person placing a passport into the pocket of a black purse.

Passport and Visa Information

Although passport and visa information may seem pretty straightforward, your destination country may have particular requirements that you need to be aware of before you finalize your plans. Navigate this section for useful guidance regarding where to find country-specific passport and visa information when traveling abroad.