International Travel Policy (SPG 601.31)

U-M’s International Travel Policy applies to all active students, faculty, and staff traveling abroad for U-M Related Travel (UMRT). It also defines UMRT and outlines eligibility and requirements for conducting UMRT in various destinations abroad. It does NOT apply to travel abroad that does not qualify as UMRT, such as vacation or other personal / leisure purposes.

For Travel Abroad Health Insurance purposes, SPG 601.31 defines “abroad” as anywhere outside the 50 United States and Washington, D.C.

The University reserves the right to prohibit or suspend travel for University-related purposes to any destination by faculty, staff, or students if significant health, safety, or security concerns pose extreme risks that warrant such a decision. Please refer to SPG 601.31 for complete International Travel Policy terms and conditions.

U-M Standard Practice Guide #601.31

Review the policies for individuals and groups participating in UMRT.

View the Guide

U-M Related Travel (UMRT)

As seen in SPG 601.31 and this What is U-M Related Travel (UMRT)? document, U-M Related Travel is defined as the following:

For active faculty and staff, if the primary purpose is work-related, the travel abroad is UMRT.
For students, travel abroad is UMRT if it meets at least one of the following criteria:
- 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, practice, 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.

Travelers on UMRT must follow next steps listed on the Global Michigan International Travel Requirements webpage.

Common Examples of UMRT

A faculty member traveling to a professional conference is on UMRT. She is traveling within the context of her job responsibilities.
A faculty member led a group of students to Kenya. The faculty member is on UMRT in a Faculty/Staff role, and the students are on UMRT in a participant role.
A faculty member is participating in an archeological dig. She is traveling within the context of her job responsibilities and is on UMRT.
A UM doctoral student doing research at the Paris library. This student is traveling in a Participant role on UMRT.
A U-M student participates in an internship arranged by an international internship coordinator. The U-M organizes and manages this program and selects participants. This is UMRT.
A student on an intensive language program in Japan managed by another university though the student applied for the program in M-Compass . The U-M manages this program, accepts and reviews applications, and selects participants. This is UMRT.
An alumnus on a post-graduate experience abroad with financial support from the Law School. This is UMRT.
A recent graduate on a post-graduate scholarship. This is UMRT.

Working Remotely

*Note about working remotely or taking classes remotely

In general, working remotely or taking classes remotely from outside the United States is not considered University of Michigan Related Travel (UMRT). For example, suppose a faculty or staff member opts to work from another country for personal or other reasons (e.g., visa delays, travel constraints, etc.). In that case, they are not considered to be on University of Michigan Related Travel and are not subject to SPG 601.31 for international travel. Similarly, a student living in their home country and taking U-M courses remotely is not considered to be on UMRT since the primary purpose of travel is personal rather than for U-M purposes.