Skip to main content

Travel Permission Requests

Countries that have an overall U.S. Department of State (DOS) Travel Advisory or a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travel Health Notice level three (3) or higher are considered high-risk. Undergraduates planning university-sponsored or -affiliated travel to such destinations must submit a Travel Permission Request (TPR). Transfer credit will not be granted, and/or university funds will not be released until such permission has been awarded. Travel Permission cannot be obtained retroactively.

Exceptions

Undergraduate Study Abroad

The Global Learning Office (GLO) will apply for Travel Permission on behalf of its affiliated programs. Non-U.S. citizen undergraduates returning to their home countries for university-related travel also do not apply for Travel Permission (and do not register these trips with Northwestern).

Group Travel

Groups are defined as three or more individuals traveling on the same itinerary. The leader of a group trip (which can be a student or an employee) makes the Travel Permission Request on behalf of the group. Group trip leader(s) must meet with OGSS staff to discuss the process and establish a timeline for review at least six weeks prior to departure. To prepare, consult the Checklist for Group Travel and the instructions for Group Trip Enrollment. Contact us to schedule a meeting.

Applying for Travel Permission

Non-GLO Travel Permission applications are made through the International Travel Registry. Trips must be submitted for review at least six weeks prior to departure. TPR questions are automatically deployed when a higher-risk destination is selected. In addition to explaining 1) the reason for the trip; 2) why this destination was selected; and 3) how the traveler(s) backgrounds contribute to risk mitigation efforts, be prepared to address the following risks associated with the applicable Travel Advisory and/or Travel Health Notice: 

  • Housing
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Political Unrest
  • Ground Transportation

Review Procedures

This policy is governed by Northwestern’s International Travel Risk Assessment Committee (ITRAC). Final approval is granted by the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (VP-COO). OGSS manages the review process, which can be a minimum of two weeks. For detailed information or to appeal at TPR, review the Undergraduate International Travel Policy.