Dear Faculty and Staff,
As you are making plans for international travel supported by or related to Georgetown for the 2026-27 academic year, please remember that the university’s International Travel Policy requires faculty, staff and students to register their university-sponsored international travel with the university and may require additional steps depending on the traveler(s) and the destination.
All faculty and staff must register their university-sponsored international travel with the online Georgetown Travel Registration system managed by International SOS (ISOS) and have adequate health insurance. Travel registration enables the university to provide travelers with support in the event of an emergency, in-depth travel security information and subject-specific intelligence and assistance alerts.
Additionally:
- Faculty and staff planning university-related or sponsored international experiences that include students must complete the International Travel Authorization process. The International Travel Authorization process must be initiated at least six weeks before the intended departure date to ensure adequate time for any required review and approval. Please contact catey.williams@georgetown.edu with questions about this process.
- Law Center faculty and staff traveling with students should consult with the Law Center’s Office of Transnational Programs.
U.S. Immigration Considerations
The current immigration climate for our international community can be challenging to understand and navigate. Given the potential for changes in U.S. immigration policies, programs with international components may wish to consider offering alternate options to travel, such as providing alternative assignments or U.S.-based experiences.
Georgetown has students with various types of immigration statuses or no status at all. To best support all students with questions about travel and/or the impact of possible travel restrictions, please consult with the appropriate contact below or share this contact information directly with your students.
- Students with F-1 and J-1 visa status (immigration documents issued by Georgetown) should be directed to their International Student (IS) Advisor in the Office of Global Services (OGS).
- Students in DACA, TPS, Asylum, Refugee, PR pending and/or who are undocumented should reach out to undocuhoyas@georgetown.edu.
- Students with an immigration status derived from a parent or spouse should connect with the company or organization that sponsored their visa to the U.S.
OGS continues to track Executive Orders and federal agency directives that may affect individuals with an immigration document issued by Georgetown and individuals sponsored by Georgetown. As changes arise, OGS provides updates on its U.S. Immigration Policy & Regulatory Updates page. Additionally, OGS has listed legal resources to help students, faculty and staff familiarize themselves with the rights and the laws governing different individuals’ statuses in the United States.
If you are an international faculty or staff member, we encourage you to assess your personal risk and comfort level with traveling outside the U.S., while also preparing for the possibility of sudden immigration changes. If you are scheduled to travel internationally for a work-related experience or conference and you have concerns, we encourage you to reach out to your department to discuss potential alternatives.
Elevated Risk Regions
Faculty and staff undertaking university-related travel to Elevated Risk Regions should be aware that there may be additional university and insurance requirements.
Research Security Considerations
Faculty and staff undertaking university-related travel to U.S.-designated foreign countries of concern (China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea) should contact the Office of Research Oversight (researchsecurity@georgetown.edu) in advance of travel to facilitate a restricted party screening and obtain guidance on important safeguards for information and device security. Refer to the Research Security website for more information on Georgetown’s Research Security Program.
Export Controls
Traveling with university-owned devices, equipment, or information? Refer here for information on export control considerations. Please contact exportcontrol@georgetown.edu if you have questions or need assistance or guidance.
Public Health Guidelines
All faculty and staff undertaking university-related international travel are expected to follow the university’s public health policies in place at the time of their travel, as well as any public health laws or regulations in the countries they are visiting.
It is recommended that you complete a pre-travel health assessment with your physician or a travel clinic, such as the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Travel Medicine Services, including completing any required vaccinations.
Contact
Additional information about travel services at Georgetown can be found at travel.georgetown.edu. Contact Catey Williams at catey.williams@georgetown.edu with any questions about the International Travel Policy or compliance process. Students will also receive a similar message about their requirements for university-related travel.
Best regards,
Catey Williams
Director for International Safety and Security